Rockford Shines as IceHogs Trio Headlines AHL All-Star Weekend
The 2026 AHL All-Star festivities rolled into Rockford, Illinois, and the BMO Center didn’t disappoint. With the hometown IceHogs sending three of their own-Kevin Korchinski, Nick Lardis, and Brett Seney-to the event, the weekend became more than just an All-Star showcase. It was a celebration of Rockford hockey and a moment of pride for both IceHogs and Blackhawks fans.
Korchinski Embraces the Spotlight
For Kevin Korchinski, this wasn’t his first All-Star rodeo. The 20-year-old defenseman made his second appearance at the AHL’s midseason showcase, and he looked right at home.
In the locker room ahead of the Skills Competition, the energy was high-music bumping, players laughing, and Korchinski’s stall right next to Lardis’. It was clear this wasn’t just another event for him; it was a chance to soak in the moment with teammates he’s grown with all season.
Asked whether he could repeat as All-Star Game MVP, Korchinski kept it light: “Yeah, we’ll see. Just should be fun.
You know, compete, meet new guys, have fun.” But what really stood out was how much he valued sharing the experience with fellow IceHogs.
“Obviously, it’s going to be fun to do it with Lardy and Senes-to be with the guys on your team, it’s a blast, and being in front of the home crowd, it should be a great atmosphere.”
Korchinski also touched on his recent NHL stint with the Blackhawks, a two-game stretch in January that clearly left an impression. “When you get that taste in your mouth, you want it to last,” he said.
“You want to stay up there as long as you can… help the team win, and be the best version of yourself.” It’s the kind of mindset you want from a young player knocking on the NHL’s door-hungry, humble, and ready to earn his spot.
Seney: The Steady Veteran Presence
Brett Seney wasn’t originally slated to be in the All-Star lineup, but when Grand Rapids’ John Leonard bowed out, the IceHogs captain got the call. And it was well deserved. Seney, now in his second All-Star appearance, has been Rockford’s most consistent offensive weapon this season-racking up 35 points in 41 games.
He’s also the heartbeat of a young team still finding its identity. “We’re definitely a lot younger than a lot of other teams in the league,” Seney said.
“So you’re going to go through some growing pains.” But he was quick to praise the development of his younger teammates.
“Kevin and Nick… their games haven’t dropped off at all. They’ve been two of our best players all year.”
Korchinski echoed that sentiment, calling Seney “the heart of our team.” And when you look at the numbers, it’s easy to see why. Lardis leads the IceHogs in goals (15), Korchinski leads all Rockford defensemen in points (23), but it’s Seney’s all-around game and leadership that’s helped steer this youthful group through the grind of the AHL season.
Lardis Making the Most of a Breakout Year
Nick Lardis has been on a whirlwind ride. He’s played in the NHL, earned a spot in the AHL All-Star Game, and leads the IceHogs in goals-all before his 21st birthday. Not bad for a guy who started the season just hoping to make an impact.
“It was great,” Lardis said of his time bouncing between the AHL and NHL. “Got the experience at both levels… learned from the players and the coaches too. Just trying to use that information and bring it down here again and grow my game even more.”
In the Skills Competition, Lardis didn’t just show up-he showed out. He nailed all four targets in the Accuracy Shooting event in just five attempts and helped get the Western Conference on the board early in the Puck Control Relay. His confidence is growing with every shift, and it’s clear he’s soaking up every opportunity.
After the event, Lardis reflected on what it meant to share the moment with his teammates. “Even cooler to kind of experience this here in Rockford, too, with Brett and Kev. So, it was special.”
Skills Competition: Results Secondary, Experience Priceless
The Skills Competition brought plenty of entertainment, even if the scoreboard didn’t always favor the IceHogs trio.
Lardis was the standout, but Korchinski and Seney had their moments-though not always for the reasons you’d expect. Korchinski came up empty in the rapid-fire and pass-and-score events, and Seney rang a couple off the post. Then there was the puck control relay, where Seney had a run-in with a cameraman-an unintentional blooper that had Lardis laughing afterward: “That was hilarious.”
All three were stopped in the breakaway relay, but none of that really mattered. The crowd was electric, the atmosphere was loud, and the players fed off it. After the competition, Korchinski, Lardis, and Seney stayed on the ice, signing autographs and connecting with fans-soaking in the kind of night that doesn’t come around often in the AHL.
Rockford on Display
For Korchinski, the night wasn’t just about individual accolades-it was about showcasing what Rockford has to offer.
“A lot of guys were asking me like, ‘Hey, is this the kind of energy and the crowd you get every night?’” he said. “Just knowing that we get this every night… a lot of guys would just dream to play at a place like this.”
Seney echoed that pride, pointing to the upgrades around the rink and the way the organization treats its players. “It kind of gives people from other teams an inside look at how professional, how well-run Rockford is,” he said. “Once you get in the rink and see the staff, and see all the resources we have… I think guys are pretty quick to see how well we’re treated here.”
Lardis added his own appreciation for the home crowd. “Even when we went on for warm-ups… it was a big crowd cheering that, too.
Every event that we were in, the fans were super into it and cheering a lot. So, it was cool to see.”
A Night to Remember
The ovations were loud, the smiles were genuine, and the pride was palpable. Rockford didn’t just host the AHL All-Star Game-it owned it.
For Korchinski, Lardis, and Seney, the weekend was about more than just stats or skills. It was about representing their city, celebrating the journey, and enjoying the ride together.
They’ll lace up again for the All-Star Game itself, but no matter what happens next, the message was clear: Rockford showed up, showed out, and showed the rest of the league exactly what it’s all about.