Mallards Select Eight in North American Amateur Draft

Published on March 23, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Quad City Mallards News Release


Moline, IL-The Quad City Mallards acquired the rights to eight collegiate hockey players in yesterday's North American Amateur Draft. Included amongst the draftees are four players with NCAA National Championships. Three members of the 2003-04 National Champion Denver Pioneers were selected by the Mallards while Judd Stevens, a member of the 2001-02 and 2002-03 National Champions at The University of Minnesota, was also drafted.

With the first overall pick, acquired by the Mallards in a trade with the Elmira Jackals for Jason Sessa, Quad City selected Jon Foster from the University of Denver. The skilled forward is tied for first amongst Pioneers with 21 goals this season. In addition to his team-leading goal total, Foster has eight assists for 29 points on the campaign. He was a part of the Pioneers 2003-04 National Championship squad.

Defenseman Donny Grover was selected with the Mallards' second first round pick at seventh overall. Grover led the Northeastern University Huskies in penalty minutes with 60 this season. During four years at Northeastern, the 6-foot-1, 205 pound rearguard recorded 30 points (seven goals and 23 assists) with 134 penalty minutes.

With their second round selection, the Mallards selected University of Minnesota defenseman Judd Stevens. In 41 games this season, the 6-foot-2, 200 pound defenseman has four goals and eight assists for 12 points. Stevens is a two-time member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) All-Academic team. Last season, he won the John Mayasich Award as the outstanding student athlete on the Gophers roster. The Wayzata, Minnesota native was a member of back-to-back National Championship teams with Minnesota in 2001-02 and 2002-03.

The Mallards acquired a second round pick from the Missouri River Otters earlier this season in exchange for Cole Bassett. With Missouri's selection (22nd overall), Quad City picked St. Thomas University forward Anthony Blumer. Blumer was a point per game player during his college career with 113 points (45 goals and 68 assists) in 113 games. This season, he recorded 36 points (13 goals and 23 assists) in 31 games as a member of a St. Thomas squad that played for the NCAA Division III Championship.

With their third and fourth round selections, the Mallards added a pair of Foster's Denver teammates. With the 35th overall pick (third round) the Mallards selected Denver defenseman Matt Laatsch. Laatsch won a National Championship last year with Denver. He is a two-time member of the WCHA All-Academic Team (2002-03 and 2003-04). The hulking defenseman stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 200 pounds. In 38 games this season, Laatsch has a goal and eight assists for nine points.

In the fourth round, Quad City added another Pioneer. Forward Luke Fulghum joins the team after completing four seasons at the University of Denver. He is tied with Foster for the team lead in goals this season with 21. The Colorado Springs, Colorado native has 38 points on the season. He won a National Championship last year. Fulghum scored the lone goal in Denver's 1-0 win over North Dakota that vaulted the team into the Frozen Four. Fulghum has been a teammate of Foster and Laatsch since the trio played in the United States Hockey League with the Dubuque Fighting Saints during the 2000-01 season. Mallards forward Greg Barber teamed with Foster, Laatsch and Fulghum during the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons at Denver.

With the 63rd overall pick in the fifth round, the Mallards selected St. Cloud State defenseman Matt Gens. Gens led Huskies defensemen with 14 assists this season. He also has three goals for 17 points on the year. In 2001-02, he was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team after recording six goals and 17 assists for 23 points. Gens was a teammate of current Mallard Colin Peters for three seasons at St. Cloud State.

With their final selection in the sixth round (77th overall), the Mallards picked up goaltender Jon Volp. Volp played four seasons at Minnesota State University-Mankato where he appeared in 85 collegiate games. This season, Volp went 7-11-1 with a 3.41 goals against average and a .890 save percentage.

"We went for depth at all positions," said Mallards President and General Manager Howard Cornfield. "Our history shows that, over the years, our draft picks have played a role in our success, and we expect that tradition to continue." Past Mallards who have gone on to play impact roles with the team after being drafted include Martin Hlinka, Ryan Lindsay and Jon Francisco.

Four of the Mallards picks (Foster, Laatsch and Fulghum from the University of Denver and Stevens from the University of Minnesota) are competing in the NCAA Division I Tournament. These players are not eligible to join the Mallards until their collegiate seasons have ended.

The Mallards are in Rockford for the last time this year on Thursday morning. Game time is 11:05 a.m. The First Capital Financial Pre-Game Show begins at 10:40 a.m. on Fox Sports Radio AM 1230. After the game, stay tuned for the Allstate Insurance Del Newton/Christy Cox Post-Game Show.

The Mallards return home on Friday to face the Missouri River Otters in a pivotal pre-playoff match up. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at The MARK of the Quad Cities.

On Saturday, the Mallards host the Kansas City Outlaws. It's Mo Mallard and Ima Duck's Wedding featuring mascots from throughout the world. Game time is 7:00 p.m. Individual tickets to all Mallards games are available at The MARK box office or via phone at (563) 326-1111.

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