Mallards Sign Mathieu; Degagne Joins on Tryout Agreement

Published on August 26, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


MOLINE, Ill. (August 26, 2010) - The Quad City Mallards of the "AA" Central Hockey League today announced that they have signed left wing Maxime Mathieu and have come to terms on a tryout agreement with defenseman Dustin DeGagne. Per club policy no contract terms were announced.

Mathieu, 24, played 33 games last season for Thetford Mines Isothermic of the Quebec-based Ligue Nord Americaine de Hockey, scoring six goals and totaling nine points while piling up 112 penalty minutes.

"Max is a very aggressive, pesky left winger who is hungry to play at the AA level," said Mallards Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Frank Anzalone. "He comes highly recommended for his fiery style of play and aggressive forechecking ability."

Mathieu last played in the United States two seasons ago. 2008-09 saw the Normandin, Quebec native skate in seven games with the International Hockey League's Flint Generals and also play in his home province for St. Marie Poutrelles Delta.

The 5' 11", 180-pound Mathieu has collected better than 100 penalty minutes in each of his first four seasons. He posted a career high in PIM's when he spent 160 minutes in the box in 2007-08 while playing for the LNAH's St. Jean Chiefs. Mathieu is now set to return to the CHL for the first time since he suited up for the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees as a rookie in 2006-07.

Before turning pro Mathieu competed for two seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Lewiston MAINEiacs.

DeGagne, 24, scored twice and produced eight points in 28 games as a senior at Division III St. Scholastica last season. The Winnipeg native started his college career at Union before transferring to St. Scholastica after his freshman year. In 2008-09 DeGagne helped the Saints reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history. He scored four times and recorded 26 points in 70 games over his three years at St. Scholastica.

"Dustin is a right defenseman with defensive and offensive ability," said Anzalone. "He was a solid D-III player who is looking forward to showcasing what he can bring to the AA level and the Quad City Mallards."

The 6' 0", 195-pound DeGagne played three seasons of junior hockey before making the move to the college ranks. He split the 2003-04 campaign between the Springfield Jr. Blues and Texarkana Bandits of the North American Hockey League and then joined the British Columbia Hockey League's Salmon Arm Silverbacks for the next two seasons.

Mathieu and DeGagne join Obi Aduba, Phil Axtell, Mike Byrd, Nick DeCroo, Jason Dolgy, Mark Ehl, Mike Hartwick, Tyler Kindle, Jason Kostadine, Patrik Levesque, Shane Lovdahl, Brandon Marino, Darren McMillan, Omar Pacha, Ryan Palmer, Zach Pearson and Michel Robinson to bring the number of players on the Mallards' preseason roster to 19.

The Mallards will open their first CHL season on home ice Saturday, October 16, at 7:05 p.m. against the Odessa Jackalopes. Mallards 2010-11 ticket packages are now available to meet any budget or schedule. For more information on ticket packages for the upcoming season, fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364. Single game seats will go on sale in the fall on a date to be announced.

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Central Hockey League Stories from August 26, 2010


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