Mallards Named IHL Member Club Of The Year

Published on April 7, 2010 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Quad City Mallards News Release


MOLINE, Ill. (April 7, 2010) - The Quad City Mallards, proud International Hockey League (IHL) affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, today announced that the Mallards have been named the IHL's 2009-10 Member Club of the Year.

"I could not be more proud of this award as it is first shared with the Mallards' fans, the Mallards' sponsors and the communities that make up the Quad Cities. Each and every member of the front office and everyone at the i wireless Center should be very proud to have been named Member Club of the Year by their IHL peers," said Mallards owner Chris Lencheski. "To everyone who has helped bring Mallards professional hockey back to the market- thank you. And for everyone getting excited for next year- thank you as well. Ice goes in in 194 days! This is an award for the entire Quad Cities market and we are glad to have played a small part in it. We would like to say thank you to all of the fans we know, our sponsors and our media partners. To the fans we do not yet know- welcome!- there is always room for more Mallards- ducks travel together!."

The Mallards earn the honor in their first IHL campaign, a season that has seen the team marry a competitive, entertaining on-ice performance with robust attendance, a host of fan-friendly iniatives and considerable corporate support while maintaining a strong community presence. IHL President/Commissioner Dennis Hextall will present the award before the Mallards' game tomorrow night against the Bloomington PrairieThunder at the i wireless Center.

"This is obviously quite an honor and one for which we are very grateful," said Mallards Executive Vice President and General Manager Shawn Hackman. "Our staff has put in countless hours and a lot of long days since we got started last summer in order to make sure the Mallards' first IHL season was a successful one, so to be recognized in this fashion is very rewarding. This is something we could not have accomplished without the trememdous support we have received from the fans of the Quad Cities and from all of our corportate partners."

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The Mallards have drawn an average of 4,027 fans- second most in the IHL. The Mallards have also recorded the largest percentage increase (34 percent) in attendance in one market from last season to this in all of minor league hockey. The Flock has rewarded its enthusiastic rooters by posting a hugely impressive 19-11-1-4 record at the i wireless Center.

The fun at the iWC has not been limited to the action on the ice. The Mallards have also provided the most fan-friendly promotional schedule in hockey, a slate that kicked off with "Faceoff Rocks," an opening night extravaganza featuring classic rock legends Night Ranger in concert and special displays direct from the Hockey Hall of Fame and has not let up since. The schedule has featured a host of unique evenings including Mallards bobblehead giveaways, a Kids' Mallards' replica jersey giveaway, Family Skate with the Mallards Nights following all Sunday home games and much more.

"We're excited about what we have been able to accomlish this season and to receive this award is quite a validation for those efforts," said Mallards Vice President of Ticketing and Business Development Ryan Simmons. "Obviously, none of this would be possible without the backing of a fan base- and in particular, a group of season ticket holders- that has been incredibly supportive. We look forward now to a strong finish to the year and then to building toward the 2010-11 season."

2010-11 season tickets are now available through the Mallards' business office (309-277-1364) at the i wireless Center.

The Mallards have remained in contention for berth in this year's Turner Cup playoffs deep into the regular season, a most impressive feat for an expansion team. The Mallards' attack has been led by the likes of Chris Lipsett (26-34-60), who ranks ninth in the league in goals, and Patrick Levesque (29-32-61) who is tied for fourth in goals and ranks ninth in points. The Mallards have also received standout efforts from the goaltending duo of Jerad Kaufmann and Kyle Jones. The youthful Quad City roster has also seen the likes of forwards Obi Aduba, Brandon Marino and Justin White and defensemen Shane Lovdahl and Jacques Perreault submit standout rookie seasons.

The Mallards have also broken new ground with the Coors Light Ice Row Cold Pass- premium season tickets that include pre-game locker room access- and the Hardee's Biscuit in the Basket promotion, one of the elements of which is the placement Hardee's logos on the ice inside the nets at the i wireless Center to serve as a most appropriate target for Mallards marksmen this season.

The Mallards' community involvement began even before the season started. The team's Blades for Grades program has brought Mallards players to schools throughout the Quad Cities all year long to encourage positive behavior in students. The Flock's funraising efforts culminated in the Flock teaming with Genesis Health System to raise better than $27,000 for the Clarrisa C. Cook Hospice House through the team's March 20 game-worn jersey auction.

The Mallards earned Member Club of the Year honors through a vote of IHL Governors and President/Commissioner Hextall. The award honors both on-ice success and off-ice accomplishments in attendance, front office performance, marketing, promotions and community relations.

The Mallards return to action on the ice tonight in Dayton against the Gems. The Mallards will be back on home ice tomorrow night a 7:05 p.m. to take on the PrairieThunder.

Tickets for tomorrow night's game and each of the Mallards' remaining home games are available at Ticketmaster outlets and www.ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000 or at the i wireless Center box office. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. through the end of the second period.

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