ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – 2026 AHL All-Star Classic Honorary Captains Kris Versteeg and Patrick Sharp were honored at Wednesday’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Versteeg played four seasons in the AHL, including two with the Rockford IceHogs (2007-08, 2019-20). He played with the Chicago Blackhawks for five seasons and helped the team win the 2010 and 2015 Stanley Cups. He skated in 650+ games throughout his 10-year NHL career.
“I was in Rockford when I didn’t think I was going to get my chance in the NHL,” said Versteeg. “I called my dad and said ‘should I just quit or should I stick with it?’ My dad said ‘You can either come sell tractors to farmers or go out and make the NHL.’”
Sharp won the 2005 Calder Cup with the Philadelphia Phantoms and spent parts of three seasons in the AHL. He spent 11 of his 15 NHL seasons with the Blackhawks, winning three Stanley Cups with them over six seasons (2010, 2013, 2015). Sharp skated in 939 NHL games where he tallied 287 goals and 333 assists (620 points).
“Patience would be a key word. Belief in yourself and your abilities and that it’s all going to work out in timing. Be ready for your opportunities. you never know when they are going to come,” said Sharp.
Both Versteeg and Sharp were also behind the benches for Wednesday night’s All-Star Game at the BMO Center in Rockford.
One of the four inductees was Chicago Wolves executive Wendell Young. IceHogs General Manager Mark Bernard nominated Young for this honor.
“We’ve grown really close. We’re bitter rivals when the games start but he’s a confidant. He’s just a good person that will do anything,” said Young. “We’ve had our heated battles. There was one time we got into down in the tunnel at the Allstate Area, something happened and we got into hard, and our wives go ‘Hey, you two idiots, apologize to each other, enough of that.”
Copyright 2026 WIFR. All rights reserved.