The Rockford IceHogs introduced the Rock River Valley to professional hockey in 1999.  The IceHogs, as members of the United Hockey League, played its first game on Oct. 15, 1999, against the Knoxville Speed at the Rockford MetroCentre.

The IceHogs won their first ever game 6-2 over the Speed led by Brant Blackned’s hat-trick.  Rockford was led by Head Coach Dale DeGray for its first two seasons. 

The team named was selected by Rockford residents as a part of a fan poll held in conjunction with the Rockford Register Star.  “IceHogs” beat other finalists including Rhinos, Mighty Oaks, Roughnecks, Ice Rangers, Rockets and Ricochet.

Rockford spent eight seasons in the UHL and won its first championship on May 24, 2007.  The IceHogs, led by Head Coach Steve Martinson, topped the Kalamazoo Wings in seven games with the series clincher at the MetroCentre.  Rockford beat Kalamazoo 3-1 to take home the Colonial Cup in front of an IceHogs postseason record 6,236 fans.   The game marked the final ever UHL contest.

Prior to the 2007-08 season, the IceHogs made the jump to the American Hockey League as the top affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks.  Beginning in ’07-08, the IceHogs entered its first year of an unprecedented 10-year affiliation agreement with the Blackhawks.

Mike Haviland was officially named the first head coach of the AHL IceHogs on July 5, 2007.  Rockford’s first AHL game was played on October 6 in Quad City, a 5-1 loss to the Flames.

The first player to use Rockford as a launching pad to the NHL was winger Raitis Ivanans.  Ivanans played with the IceHogs during the 2002-03 season and for one-game in 2003-04.  The rugged winger made his NHL debut with the Montreal Canadians in October 2006.

The IceHogs organization has established itself as a staple in the Rockford community.  As the longest running sports team in Rockford, the IceHogs pride themselves with its work in the community through the IceHogs Charitable Foundation and as the premiere choice for entertainment in the Forest City.

An annual charity jersey auctions has helped the IceHogs raise over $500,000 a year that benefits local non-profit charity organizations in the Rockford area.

On Nov. 24, 2006, the IceHogs welcomed its one-millionth fan to the MetroCentre.  The IceHogs have embedded themselves in the community with the development of the Jr. IceHogs Youth Hockey Program.  Former IceHogs player and coach Scott Burfoot runs the program through the Rockford Park District.