Mallards' Rioux to AHL's Iowa Wild

Published on January 6, 2014 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


MOLINE, Ill. (January 6, 2014) - Quad City Mallards defenseman Nicholas Rioux has joined the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild on a professional tryout agreement, the Mallards announced today.

Rioux, 27, has scored two goals and totaled 12 points while posting a plus/minus rating of +11 in 28 games with the Mallards this season. The 6' 1", 205-pound Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec native Sunday night notched an assist and was a +2 as the Mallards secured their sixth win in seven games by defeating the host St. Charles Chill 5-0. Rioux returns to Des Moines after taking part in Iowa's preseason training camp. He joins goaltenders Thomas Heemskerk and Ty Rimmer as the third Mallard to be called up to the AHL this season.

Rioux joined the Mallards after spending last year with the Central Hockey League's Bloomington Blaze, for whom he scored s even goals and totaled 27 points while turning in a plus/minus rating of +3. The durable blue liner played in each of the Blaze's 66 regular season games and has missed just a single game over his first three professional campaigns.

This season is Rioux's second under Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski. Rioux first skated for Ruskowski as a rookie with the CHL's Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in 2011-12. Rioux scored five times, produced 21 points and posted a plus/minus rating of +5 in 65 games with the Killer Bees.

Rioux turned pro after a three-year college career at St. Cloud State during which he totaled three goals and four assists in 26 games. Rioux played two seasons of junior hockey in the British Columbia League- with the Quesnel Millionaires and Prince George Spruce Kings- before heading to St. Cloud.

The Mallards return to action on home ice Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Brampton Beast. That game is the Mallards' first Winning Wednesday presented by T.G.I. Friday's. If the Mallards win a Wednesday night home game all in attendance win free tickets for the next Wednesday game. In addition, $2 beer and hot dogs will be available during Wednesday night tilts. After each Wednesday night game, fans can join the Mallards for a postgame party at T.G.I. Friday's next to the iWireless Center.

Tickets for Wednesday night's game and all Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through 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.

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