Rockford IceHogs Open Season Saturday With Downtown Block Party

It's been one of the best weeks of the year for sports fans in Illinois, and it gets even better in Rockford this Saturday when the puck drops for the first time at the BMO.

A New Season Begins

The wait is almost over for Rockford Ice Hogs fans. The team is opening the new season this Saturday (10/3) at home against the rival Milwaukee Admirals, with a downtown Rockford block party kicking things off before the puck drops.

Mike Peck from the IceHogs told the Q Morning Crew that the excitement of a new season never gets old, even after 26 years with the organization.

"It's my hockey family," Peck said, talking about the fans and the anticipation of another new season, and the hope of a Hogs championship.

Block Party Starts at 4

The Saturday celebration begins at 4 p.m. downtown, with fans enjoying live music from That 70s Band, food trucks, a large inflatable rink for kids, and street hockey.

Johnny Vincent

The first 3,000 fans will receive a free IceHogs T-shirt for the "white out," and with around 6,000 fans expected for the home opener, fans should arrive early if they hope to get one.

Doors to the BMO will open at 5:45 p.m., with the opening-night puck drop scheduled for 7.

Get Ready for a Whiteout

Opening night will also introduce a new look for the "Screw City" IceHogs, with fans encouraged to wear all white as the team takes on Milwaukee in its all-white jerseys, hoping for a BMO whiteout.

Mike Peck said fans have embraced the "stormtrooper" look of the white IceHogs jerseys, and if you want to experience hockey, you better be there on Saturday because the IceHogs will be on the road for a while, with the next home game on October 16.

For tickets and information, visit IceHogs.com, Ticketmaster, or call 815-968-5225.