Howard Cornfield To Leave Mallards
June 2, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Quad City Mallards News Release
Moline, IL-The Quad City Mallards announced at a press conference today that President and General Manager Howard Cornfield will leave the organization after nine seasons, effective July 1, 2005. Cornfield will continue to assist the team through the transition period. A nationwide search has begun for a new team President.
"It's time to seek new challenges" said Cornfield. "I've had a fantastic nine years, and I will always treasure my memories from the Quad Cities."
"Simply put, the âDecade of the Ducks' belongs to Howard. I have never met anyone that had the passion not only to win championships, but to operate the business with our fans and sponsors at the forefront," said Mike Tatoian, CEO of Victory Sports Group, owners of the Mallards. "He has set a great foundation for our organization, and we expect that strength to continue with our new President. We will continue to have one of the strongest professional hockey organizations in the country."
Cornfield joined the Mallards in 1996 following the team's first campaign. During his nine years with the franchise, the Mallards compiled 451 victories, more than any team in professional hockey during that span, with just 175 losses and 50 shootout losses (.704 winning percentage). Cornfield also won three Colonial Cups during his time with the team and captured four Tarry Cups as the regular season champion of the United Hockey League. The team finished first or second in the overall UHL standings during eight of Cornfield's nine seasons. The Mallards appeared in the Colonial Cup Finals six times during the last nine years.
Along with his teams' on-ice success, Cornfield has also overseen one of the most successful front offices in minor league hockey. The organization has been honored twice as UHL Member Club of the Year during Cornfield's nine seasons. Cornfield has received three individual league honors including the 1996-97 UHL Executive of the Year, the 2000-01 UHL Marketing Director of the Year and the 2001-02 UHL General Manager of the Year. In 2004, Just Hockey Magazine recognized Cornfield as one of the Top 30 Power Brokers in Minor League Hockey. Cornfield ranked 15th on the list.
Over 2.7 million fans have attended Mallards home games during Cornfield's time with the team. In 1997-98 and 1998-99, the Mallards drew over 300,000 fans. No other team in the league's 14-year history has accomplished this feat. During the 1997-98 campaign, the Mallards were one of just five teams in minor pro hockey to surpass 300,000 in attendance. The franchise established a league record for single season attendance as 319,924 fans watched the Mallards at The MARK (an average of 8,646 per game). During six of Cornfield's nine seasons, the Mallards led the United Hockey League in attendance.
In 1996, Cornfield inherited a second-year franchise that went 30-39-5 in their inaugural campaign. The newly hired general manager brought in John Anderson to coach the Mallards. The pair assembled a team that won 51 times during the 1996-97 season. It marked the first of six consecutive 50-win campaigns for the Mallards, a feat unmatched in the history of pro hockey. The 1996-97 season was capped with the first of Cornfield's three Colonial Cups.
Cornfield's efforts during his first year at the helm of the Mallards earned him the UHL Governor of the Year Award. The organization was recognized as the UHL Member Club of the Year in 1996-97.
Anderson, Cornfield's first head coach in the Quad Cities, will long remember his time with Cornfield.
"Howard and I are close friends," said Anderson. "We have a great relationship. Without him, the Mallards wouldn't be the Mallards. The team has won championships and done great things in the community, and he's been the driving force behind that."
In 1997-98, Cornfield's Mallards became just the second team in UHL history to win back-to-back Colonial Cup titles, this time under Coach Paul Gillis. The team also earned the first Tarry Cup in franchise history with 55 regular season wins.
Gillis, the only Mallards coach to serve two terms in the Quad Cities, realizes the impact that Cornfield had on the franchise.
"Howard is the Quad City Mallards," said Gillis. "He made a huge impact on the team and the city. He built the team from the group up into one of the best teams over the last number of years. He did an awesome job of building the organization. He's a fantastic gentleman.
After Paul Gillis left the team following a loss in the 1999 UHL Finals, Cornfield hired Matt Shaw to coach the Mallards. In their only season together, Cornfield and Shaw led the Mallards to the Tarry Cup and an appearance in the Colonial Cup Final.
Shaw also acknowledges Cornfield's contributions, both to his career and the Mallards organization.
"Howard has been a tremendous mentor and close friend," said Shaw. "His tenure with the Mallards has been unprecedented in all facets-wins, titles, attendance. All organizations in hockey have taken notice of this. He has succeeded with many different people around him. He's been the one constant in the team's success."
Cornfield selected Paul MacLean to replace Shaw after the 2000 UHL Final. Cornfield and MacLean teamed to return the Cup to the Quad Cities in 2001. The victory marked the third Cup of Cornfield's Mallards career. The 2000-01 Mallards also were the recipients of the Tarry Cup after setting a league record with just 12 regular season losses while winning 55 times.
Following the 2000-01 season, Cornfield was honored as the UHL Marketing Director of the Year. The distinction marked the second time in his Mallards career that he captured a league honor.
In 2001-02, Cornfield and the Mallards etched their names into the UHL Record Book again with 57 regular season victories, a mark still unmatched as the league enters its 15th season. The season also marked the final of six consecutive 50-win campaigns for the Quad City franchise.
MacLean finished his time as the Mallards coach following the 2002 Colonial Cup Playoffs. He will remember Cornfield for his commitment to winning.
"Howard took a franchise, and through hard work and a passion for winning, turned it into one of the most successful franchises in the game," said MacLean. "Winning isn't something you do once in a while, you do it everyday. Howard's leadership and vision certainly showed that."
Cornfield was reunited with Coach Paul Gillis in 2002-03. The pair led the Mallards to a 41-25-10 regular season record and an appearance in the Colonial Cup Final.
In 2003-04, the Mallards went 50-20-6 under Cornfield's watch. It marked the seventh time that the Mallards reached 50 wins during Cornfield's tenure. In the recently completed season, Cornfield's Mallards went 39-30-11.
During the transition, Cornfield will continue his duties as Team President / General Manager and assist in the hiring of the new Head Coach, recruitment of players and assisting with the hiring of his successor.
Mallards season tickets are on sale now. Call the Mallards ticket office at (309) 764-7825 to reserve your seat for 2005-06. Keep checking qcmallards.com for the latest news on all Mallards events.
The Cornfield Era
Under Howard Cornfield, the Quad City Mallards have...
Won more games (451) than any other team in professional hockey over the last nine years. The American League's Chicago Wolves and the ECHL's San Diego Gulls are the only other pro hockey teams to have more than 400 wins over the last nine seasons.
Ranking in Professional Hockey Wins since 1996-97
1. Quad City Mallards (United Hockey League) 451
2. San Diego Gulls (West Coast Hockey League / ECHL) 420
3. Chicago Wolves (International Hockey League/ American Hockey League) 411
4. Muskegon Fury (United Hockey League) 396
5. Grand Rapids (International Hockey League/ American Hockey League) 391
Won three Colonial Cup Championships.
Won four Tarry Cup Championships as the regular season champions of the United Hockey League. No team in the UHL has won more Tarry Cups.
Led the United League in attendance six times. In 1997-98 and 1998-99, the Mallards drew over 300,000 fans. Quad City is the only UHL franchise to accomplish this feat. In 1997-98, the Mallards were one of just five minor pro hockey teams to surpass 300,000 in attendance.
Won 50 Games in seven of the nine years in his tenure including a record-setting six in a row.
Went to the UHL Finals six times in nine seasons.
Raised over $500,000 in support of local charities.
Under Cornfield, the Mallards established numerous single season UHL records including:
-highest winning percentage (.784 in 2001-02)
-most games won (57 in 2001-02)
-longest home winning streak (15 in February and March of 2002)
-most standings points (117 in 2000-01)
-fewest road losses (8 in 2000-01)
-fewest games lost (12 in 2000-01)
-longest road winning streak (11 in October of 1999 through January of 2000)
-most home wins (31 in 1997-98 tied with two other teams)
-longest winning streak (12 games in October and November of 1997)
-fewest shootout losses (1 in 1997-98 tied with the 1996-97 Flint Generals)
-fewest home shootout losses (0 in 1997-98 and 1995-96 tied two other teams)
Under Cornfield, the Mallards won numerous front office awards including:
-2001-2002 UHL General Manager of the Year (Howard Cornfield)
-2000-2001 UHL Marketing Director of the Year (Howard Cornfield)
-1997-1998 UHL Merchandise Director of the Year (Julie Germeraad)
-1997-1998 UHL Member Club of the Year
-1996-1997 UHL Member Club of the Year
-1996-1997 UHL Governor of the Year (Howard Cornfield)
-1997 Quad City Times Sports Man of the Year (Howard Cornfield)
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