Mallards Add Rookie Trio Including UHL All-Star
Published on February 27, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Quad City Mallards News Release
Moline, IL-The Quad City Mallards today announced that defensemen Dale Lupul and Derek Miller have been acquired from the Elmira Jackals in exchange for defensemen Andrei Lupandin and Nick Harloff, goaltender Zach Sikich and cash considerations. The Mallards also acquired goaltender Brad Smith from Port Huron in exchange for cash considerations.
Lupul is a UHL rookie that has recorded 29 points (12 goals and 17 assists) in 56 games this year. He is tied for eighth in scoring amongst UHL defenseman and is tied for 11th in scoring amongst UHL rookies. Lupul also has 121 penalty minutes in his inaugural UHL campaign. He represented the Jackals at the 2007 UHL All-Star Classic in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The 27-year old rearguard scored a goal in the Eastern Conference's 11-6 victory. The Port Coquitlam, British Columbia native qualifies as a UHL rookie despite playing 59 games with the 2005-06 Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the Central Hockey League (CHL). During his time with the Mudbugs, Lupul ranked 17th amongst CHL rookies with 29 points on seven goals and 22 assists. He also finished second amongst league rookies in plus-minus (+24). Before turning pro, he played four seasons at the University of Wisconsin Superior where he recorded 98 points (20 goals and 78 assists) in 104 games.
Miller is also a rookie defenseman. He joins the Mallards after recording 20 points (two goals and 18 assists) in 57 games this season with Elmira. The Neepawa, Manitoba native is 18th in scoring amongst UHL rookies. Miller made his pro debut with a single playoff appearance for the 2005-06 Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the CHL. He appeared in 109 collegiate games at the University of Wisconsin Superior. During his collegiate career, he recorded 59 points on 16 goals and 43 assists.
Smith appeared in ten games with New Mexico of the Central Hockey League to begin his professional career in the fall of 2006. During his time with the Scorpions, he went 3-5-1 with a 4.39 goals against average and a .871 save percentage. Smith joined the UHL's Port Huron Flags in mid-January. He appeared in four games for the Flags and went 0-4-0 despite recording a .921 save percentage and a 2.78 goals against average. Smith appeared in net for two games against the Mallards. He stopped 76 of the 82 shots he faced (.927) while playing against Quad City. Before turning pro, Smith spent two seasons at the University of Connecticut. He appeared in 36 collegiate games and went 10-19-3. Smith recorded a .902 save percentage and a 3.28 goals against average while at UCONN.
Lupandin leaves the Quad Cities after appearing in 104 games as a Mallard over two seasons. He recorded 55 points (13 goals and 42 assists) during his time with the team. Harloff, a rookie rearguard, scored 18 points on four goals and 14 assists during 50 games as a Mallard. Sikich appeared in 14 Mallards games recording a 4-5-1 record with a 3.08 goals against average and a .906 save percentage.
The Mallards host the Fort Wayne Komets at The MARK on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. Indy Car driver Sarah Fisher will be on hand from 6:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. to meet fans and sign autographs. Fisher is one of just three women in history to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. Individual tickets for all Mallards home games are available at The MARK box office, via phone at (563) 326-1111 or on-line at ticketmaster.com.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 27, 2007
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- UHL weekend postponements rescheduled - IHL 2
- Flags Game Against Chicago Rescheduled - Port Huron Flags
- Mallards Add Rookie Trio Including UHL All-Star - Quad City Mallards
- Mallards Announce Make-Up Date for Chicago Game - Chicago Hounds
- Elmira Executes Five-Player Trade With Quad City - Elmira Jackals
- Flags Acquire All-Star Winger Scott Wray from Elmira - Port Huron Flags
- Jackals Deal Wray To Port Huron For Kukulka - Elmira Jackals
- 2007-2008 Jackals Season Tickets Go On Sale - Elmira Jackals
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