Undrafted rookie defenseman Josh McArdle(24) signs for his first pro year with hometown Rockford IceHogs.
He was basically there for the start as the team was launched in the old United Hockey League.
The 6’1″ 194 lbs. blue liner was likely in one of the inaugural learn to skate programs, then continued through his entire youth hockey development until he was ready to leave for Tri-City Storm.
He played two seasons in the USHL before maybe making a bit of an odd move heading up to BCHL to continue juniors with Nanaimo Clippers., which maybe helped better set up heading off to 4 years at Brown University.
Never quite the biggest point-getter, he plays more of a stay at home style and signed with Worcester Railers after his final campaign at college playing 10 ECHL games recording 2 assists with a -2 rating.
The 24-year old is likely to feel tickled skating the hometown ice for a first time come October.