Jon Francisco Earns AHL Callup
Published on February 6, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Quad City Mallards News Release
Moline, IL â Quad City Mallards center Jon Francisco, who leads all United Hockey League rookies with 16 goals, has been called up to the American Hockey League's Milwaukee Admirals. Mallards President/General Manager Howard Cornfield made the announcement today.
Milwaukee plays host to the defending Calder Cup champion Houston Aeros tonight and to the Utah Grizzlies tomorrow afternoon. Francisco is expected back in the Mallards lineup for Sunday's 4:00 p.m. i wireless Family Fun-Day Sunday game against the Flint Generals at The MARK of the Quad Cities.
Quad City players have earned eight callups to the American Hockey League this season, including defensemen Andy Fermoyle and Louis Robitaille (Portland Pirates), forwards Lanny Gare, Martin Hlinka, and Charlie Stephens (Hershey), and forward Rob Voltera (Hershey, twice). Robitaille, Hlinka, Stephens, and Voltera are currently playing in the AHL.
Francisco participated in this season's rookie camp with the NHL's Nashville Predators, and in training camp with the Chicago Wolves, but has yet to appear in an AHL game. This season, in addition to his 16 goals, he has 14 assists for a total of 30 points, placing him third among UHL first-year players. He is also in the top five among rookies in plus/minus rating, power play goals, power play points, shots on goal, and shooting percentage. His +14 plus/minus rating leads the Mallards.
Sunday's 4:00 p.m. game vs. Flint is the Mallards' only home game this week. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. at The MARK for the classic 1968 film "Planet of the Apes," starring Charlton Heston, on the giant video screen. Open skating is from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
The first 2,500 kids 15 and under will get a free Mallards poster, featuring bruising rookie forward Drew Otten, courtesy of Deere Harvester Credit Union. At the game, you can meet "The Hulk," appearing live and in person, and check out the latest video games at the Video Games Etc! display in the concourse.
Plus, you might be one of ten lucky contestants to compete in the $5,000 Deere Harvester Credit Union Dash for Cash during intermission!
Good seats are available for Sunday's game. Tickets 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, or visit the team's official web site at www.qcmallards.com.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 6, 2004
- IceHogs pummel Otters for fourth straight home win - Rockford IceHogs
- Richmond Earns Tough Shootout Win - Elmira Jackals
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Jon Francisco Earns AHL Callup - Quad City Mallards
- RiverDogs ink Goudie for '04-'05 - Richmond RiverDogs
- Youth Hockey Skate with the Players after Sunday's Game - Elmira Jackals
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