Rockford to pay tribute to honorary IceHog

The Rockford IceHogs will pay tribute to honorary IceHogs team member Sydney Ives during their two-game homestand this weekend at the Rockford MetroCentre.

Sydney, 11, was made an honorary IceHog on May 20, 2009, after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor the year prior. She passed away on Saturday, Nov. 7.

In Sydney’s honor, the IceHogs will observe a moment of silence before the puck drops on Friday when the IceHogs take on the Texas Stars at 7:05 p.m.

The team will also wear “Ivestrong” stickers on their helmets this weekend, the motto the Ives family adopted during her 18-month fight. Donations will be accepted near the U.S. Cellular Fan Zone during the games on both Friday and Saturday.

Sydney’s nameplate and honorary jersey, with the number 19 and Ivestrong on the back, will hang in the IceHogs’ locker room for the remainder of the season.

IceHogs center Bracken Kearns will donate $20 for every goal he scores in 2009-2010 to the Ivestrong Foundation. Fans who wish to contribute to the Foundation can do so through the IceHogs by calling (815) 986-6465.