Mallards Sign Trio of Blue Liners

June 30, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release

Quad City Mallards Signee Andrew Panzerella
(Quad City Mallards, Credit: Footsteps Photography)

Gibson, 26, scored once and added eight assists while recording a plus/minus rating of +1 in 50 games as a rookie last season.

Gibson was named to the 2014-15 Division III All-American first team and was voted Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year after leading defensemen nationwide in points (32) as a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The 6' 0", 175-pound Grosse Pointe, Michigan, native scored eight goals and collected 24 assists in 31 games during his final collegiate campaign. Gibson played three games for the Tulsa Oilers at the end of the 2014-15 season.

Gibson scored 18 goals, added 65 assists and totaled 83 points in 117 games over four highly decorated seasons at UWSP. Gibson was named to the All-WIAC first team as a junior and a senior after earning All-Northern Collegiate Hockey Association honorable mention as a sophomore. Gibson's junior season also saw him help propel the Pointers to the 2014 NCAA title game.

The Mallards received Harris, 25, from the Wichita Thunder to complete the trade that sent forward Miles Koules to Wichita. The 6' 2", 225-pound product of Fort Ashby, West Virginia scored four goals and added six assists for ten points in 61 games with the Thunder last season.

Harris spent the bulk of the prior three seasons with the Evansville IceMen. He broke into the professional ranks with the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the Southern Professional Hockey League in 2011-12 while also suiting up for a pair of ECHL games with the Elmira Jackals. Harris returned to Pensacola from the ECHL for stints with the Ice Pilots each of the following two campaigns.

Harris has scored 19 times, added 41 assists and produced 60 points in 285 career games. He has recorded eight goals, 22 assists and 30 points in 208 career ECHL outings.

Before turning pro, Harris played two seasons with the Bonneyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League from 2009 to 2011 after splitting his first junior season between the North American Hockey League's Bismarck Bobcats and the United States Hockey League's Omaha Lancers.

The 26-year old Panzerella's arrival from the Idaho Steelheads completed the deal that sent the rights to forward Kellan Lain to Idaho. The 6' 1", 210-pound Washington, D.C. native scored once and registered seven assists in 35 games with the Steelheads last season. Panzarella got his first taste of pro hockey when he played two games for the American Hockey League's St. John's IceCaps at the end of the 2014-15 season.

Panzarella turned pro after four seasons at the University of North Dakota, where he scored twice and pocketed eight assists for ten points in 77 career collegiate games. UND qualified for the NCAA tournament each of Panzarella's four seasons in Grand Forks and reached the Frozen Four in both his junior and senior years.

Panzerella skated for four seasons in the USHL with the Des Moines Buccaneers, Tri-City Storm and Waterloo Black Hawks before arriving at North Dakota.

The Mallards will open their twentieth season in the Quad Cities on Friday, October 14 at 7:05 p.m. against the Fort Wayne Komets at the iWireless Center. Mallards 2016-17 season tickets are now available. Season ticket holders enjoy significant savings of the walk-up ticket price and receive a host of exclusive benefits. For more season ticket information, fans can contact the Mallards at 309-277-1364 or info@myqcmallards.com.

Quad City Mallards Signee Donnie Harris (Wichita Thunder)

Quad City Mallards Signee Andrew Panzerella (Footsteps Photography)

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ECHL Stories from June 30, 2016

• Asmundson and Hussar Re-Sign with Fuel - Indy Fuel
• 'Blades Named ECHL Ticket Department of the Year; Mike Kelly Named Ticket Executive of the Year - Florida Everblades
• Eagles to Make Major Announcement Wednesday - Colorado Eagles
• Tommy Thompson Returns to Greenville in 2016-17 - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
• Florida's Kelly Named 2015-16 ECHL Ticket Executive of the Year - ECHL
• Mallards Sign Trio of Blue Liners - Quad City Mallards
• Walleye Receive Social Media Award - Toledo Walleye
• Sivak Set to Return to Aces Lineup in 2016-17 - Alaska Aces
• Toledo Receives 2015-16 ECHL Social Media Award - ECHL
• Monarchs Sign Mark Anthoine for 2016-17 Season - Manchester Monarchs
• Solar Bears Announce Eric Baier as First Returning Player for 2016-17 - Orlando Solar Bears
• Fuel Team up with the Children's Museum of Indianapolis - Indy Fuel
• Florida Named 2015-16 ECHL Ticket Department of the Year - ECHL
• Thunder Sign Defenseman Mike Bergin - Adirondack Thunder

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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