Four Mallards on All-Star Team

January 5, 2004 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Quad City Mallards News Release


Moline, IL – The United Hockey League announced today that Mallards defenseman Tom Menicci and forwards Martin Hlinka, Jason Sessa, and Jeff Williams have all been selected to play for the Western Conference team in the league's All-Star Classic on Jan. 18 in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Fans will select the starting lineup in online voting that runs from now until next Monday, Jan. 12, on the league's official web site, www.theuhl.com. There is a direct link to the voting page from the Mallards' official web site, www.qcmallards.com. Each voter is allowed to cast one ballot.

Menicci was a first team UHL All-Star last season after scoring a career high 17 goals and leading the Mallards with 39 assists and 233 shots on goal. He currently ranks among the league's top five defensemen in assists, total points, shooting percentage, power play assists, and power play points.

Hlinka, a member of the Mallards' 2001 Colonial Cup Champions, is having an outstanding comeback season after missing the past year and a half due to injury. He ranks second on the Mallards with 14 goals and 24 points and leads the team with a .203 shooting percentage.

Sessa is tied for fourth in the league with 20 goals in the first 30 games of the season and is on pace to score 51 goals for the 2003-04 campaign. He is tied for second in the Western Conference with a team-leading four power play goals. He leads the Mallards in goals, points (29), and shots on goal (102).

Williams ranked second on the Mallards last season in goals, points, and plus/minus rating, despite playing just 41 games. He tied for the UHL lead in overall scoring during the 2003 Colonial Cup Playoffs. This season, limited to 25 games played, he has scored 23 points, on 12 goals and 11 assists.

The Mallards visit the Columbus Stars (Wednesday, 6:00 p.m.) and the Fort Wayne Komets (Friday, 7:05 p.m.) this week, before returning home to play the Missouri River Otters on Fairfield Inn Patrick Nadeau Bobblehead Night this Saturday, Jan. 10, at 7:00 p.m. The first 4,000 fans at The MARK of the Quad Cities each receive a free Patrick Nadeau bobblehead doll, courtesy of Fairfield Inn.

Then it's Iowa Wireless Family Fun-Day Sunday featuring Scooby Doo & Shaggy on Jan. 11 at 4:00 p.m., when the Mallards play the Rockford IceHogs. Doors open at The MARK at 1:30 p.m. for a special showing of the family favorite film "Freaky Friday" on the big screen. There's open skating from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. The first 2,500 kids 15 and under receive free Mallards posters, courtesy of Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark. Plus, Scooby Doo and Shaggy will make special appearances at the game.

Tickets for Mallards home games are on sale at The MARK box office, at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at (563) 326-1111, and online by following the Tickets link from www.qcmallards.com. For more information, call the Mallards at (309) 764-PUCK.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 5, 2004


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