Mallards' Hellyer Named Central Hockey League Rookie of the Year

Published on March 20, 2013 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


MOLINE, Ill. (March 20, 2013) - Quad City Mallards forward Mike Hellyer has been named Central Hockey League Rookie of the Year, the Mallards announced today in conjunction with the CHL.

Hellyer, 26, leads CHL rookies in points (60) and assists (37), is tied for second among first year players in plus/minus rating (+13) and ranks third among rookies in goals (23). The Brandon, Manitoba, native is the Mallards' second-leading point scorer. Hellyer on Monday was selected to the CHL All-Rookie Team.

"Mike's worked hard for us every day all season long and shown tremendous character, so it's great to see him get rewarded for that hard work," said Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski. "He's done an excellent job adapting to pro hockey and has turned into a really important player for us and a guy we can use in almost every situation."

The 5' 9", 170-pound Hellyer is in the midst a late-season hot streak that has coincided with the Mallards' surge toward the playoffs. He has totaled 11 points (four goals and seven assists) in his last eight games and last night picked up an assist as the Mallards clinched a playoff berth with a 4-3 overtime win over the Denver Cutthroats.

Hellyer has proven remarkably consistent over the course of the campaign, averaging exactly a point per game. He has produced 14 multiple point games and on January 19 enjoyed his biggest offensive outburst of the season, piling up a team single-game season-high four assists in a 7-1 win over Denver.

Hellyer earned 15 of the 44 Rookie of the Year votes cast by CHL coaches, team communications departments and media members to finish one vote ahead of runner-up Aaron Dell of Allen.

Hellyer joined the Mallards this year after first breaking into professional hockey at the tail end of last season. He played three regular season games last spring for both the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL and the CHL's Texas Brahmas. Hellyer went on to score three goals and pick up three assists in a dozen playoff games during the Brahmas' run to the Berry Conference finals.

Hellyer turned pro after spending five seasons at the University of Manitoba. Last year he scored four times and collected 16 points in 25 games while captaining Manitoba to the Canada West University Athletic Association regular season title. Over the course of his university career, Hellyer scored 36 times and produced 98 points in 135 games. He served as team captain each of his final two years with Bisons. Before matriculating, Hellyer skated for four seasons with the Prince Albert Raiders of the major junior Western Hockey League. He notched 54 goals and 143 points in 262 career WHL games and acted as the Raiders' captain in 2006-07.

The Mallards have now been tabbed for three CHL year-end honors this week. In addition to Hellyer earning All-Rookie status, Monday also saw the Mallards' Mickey Lang grab a spot on the All-CHL Team.

The Mallards return to action at home Friday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Bloomington Blaze. Friday evening will also see the Mallards will team with John Deere for the team's annual John Deere Community Night. Fans who wear green to Friday's game to show their support for John Deere and the Mallards- and bring a "Green

Out" to the i wireless Center- can purchase tickets to that game for just $10 at the i wireless Center box office. Friday is also another $1 Dog/$1 Beer College Night. All fans will be able to purchase hot dogs and beer for just $1 at i wireless Center concession stands through the end of the second intermission. In addition, college students can purchase tickets to the game for just $10 in person at the i wireless Center box office.

Tickets for Friday night's game- as well as seats for all remaining Mallards regular season home games- can be purchased in person at the i wireless Center ticket office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through www.ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000. The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2013


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.

OurSports Central