Mallards Take Part in UHL Dispersal and Expansion Drafts
Published on June 6, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Quad City Mallards News Release
Moline, IL-The United Hockey League announced the results of the 2006 Dispersal and Expansion Drafts today. The Mallards acquired the rights to five players off the rosters of the Motor City Mechanics, Roanoke Valley Vipers and Missouri River Otters in the Dispersal Draft. The expansion Bloomington Prairie Thunder selected former Mallard Tom Clayton in the Expansion Draft.
"Our hope is that the players we drafted today will be a part of our 2006-07 team," said Mallards President Tim Taylor. "We are not allowed to contact the players prior to the draft, but we certainly look forward to speaking with each of them as we continue the process of building a championship team."
In the opening round of the Dispersal Draft, the Mallards selected former Motor City goaltender Bill Ruggiero. Ruggiero appeared in 13 games last year while backing up Rod Branch. Ruggiero recorded a 2-1-1 record with a .913 save percentage and a 2.83 goals against average. The 25-year old goaltender has appeared in 62 pro hockey games during his career including stints in the UHL, ECHL and Central Hockey League.
With their second round selection, the Mallards acquired the rights to forward Carlyle Lewis. Lewis played in the UHL's Eastern Division with Danbury and Roanoke Valley during the 2005-06 season. The 6-foot-3, 234-pound forward played 51 games and recorded 10 goals with 14 assists for 24 points with 231 penalty minutes. He has appeared in 447 pro games during his seven year career. The Middleton, Nova Scotia native has scored 71 goals with 93 assists for 164 points and 1,521 penalty minutes during his pro career. During the 2003-04 season, Lewis recorded careers highs in goals (21) and points (39) while playing under current Mallards Head Coach Brian Curran with the ECHL's Columbus Cottonmouths.
The team took forward Chris Gignac in the third round. The Windsor, Ontario native played 56 games with Motor City last year and recorded 43 points on 15 goals and 28 assists. During an eight-year pro career, Gignac has played 251 games and recorded 254 points (100 goals and 154 assists).
Lars Pettersen was selected with the Mallards fourth round pick. The 29-year old center appeared in 57 games last season with Missouri where he scored 19 goals with 30 assists for 49 points. He has played 582 games including stints in the American Hockey League, ECHL and UHL. Pettersen has 555 pro points on 205 goals and 350 assists.
In the fifth and final round, the Mallards acquired the rights to defenseman Luke Sellars. Sellars was a second round pick (30th overall) of the National Hockey League's Atlanta Trashers in 1999. He has appeared in 144 pro games including 105 games in the AHL and an NHL appearance. Last year, Sellars played 13 games with the UHL's Danbury Trashers. He recorded a goal and four assists for five points.
Bloomington selected former Mallard Tom Clayton in the Expansion Draft. Clayton joined the Mallards in December after being acquired from the Elmira Jackals. In 48 games in the Quad Cities, Clayton scored five goals with five assists for 10 points with 52 penalty minutes.
Mallards season tickets are available now via The MARK box office at (309) 764-2000. Fans interested in season ticket information, including the Mallards Season Ticket GUARANTEE, can contact the Mallards Ticket Office at (309) 764-7825.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from June 6, 2006
- Mallards Take Part in UHL Dispersal and Expansion Drafts - Quad City Mallards
- Gretzky & Co. Join Jackals Via Dispersal Draft - Elmira Jackals
- Rockford selects four players in dispersal draft - Rockford IceHogs
- UHL conducts dispersal draft - IHL 2
- UHL expansion draft completed - IHL 2
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