Motte Returns to Mallards

November 21, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


MOLINE, Ill. - Goaltender C.J. Motte has returned to the Quad City Mallards from the American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves after being released from a professional tryout agreement by the Wolves, the Mallards announced today.

Motte, 25, made three starts for the Wolves after signing a PTO with Chicago on October 19. The 6-foot, 175-pound St. Clair, Michigan native went 1-1-1 with a 2.30 goals against average and a .929 save percentage.

Motte started the season by going 0-2-0 with a 3.53 goals against average and a .907 save percentage in two games with the Mallards. Last year Motte finished tied for sixth in the ECHL in save percentage (.917) and tied for eighth in goals against average (2.68) while going 20-11-2 in 36 games. In January, the Motte represented the Mallards- and earned the win- in the 2017 ECHL All-Star Game.

Motte returned to Chicago last month after enjoying stints in the AHL last season with the Wolves as well as the Charlotte Checkers and Iowa Wild. He saw action in two AHL games- both with Charlotte- and went 1-0-0 with a 0.75 goals against average and a .976 save percentage while surrendering a single goal on 42 shots.

Motte went 15-22-2 with a 2.83 goals against average, a .910 save percentage and two shutouts in 42 games as a rookie with the Elmira Jackals in 2015-16.

Motte broke into pro hockey with the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers, for whom he played four games and posted a 1-2-1 record, a 2.49 goals against average and a .917 save percentage late in the 2014-15 season.

Motte turned pro after four sterling seasons at Ferris State University. In 2014-15 he became the first goaltender in school history to serve as team captain. He set Ferris State records for most career wins and shutouts (15) while going 66-49-12 with a 2.13 goals against average and a .926 save percentage in 127 collegiate games.

Motte not only earned All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association honors in both his junior (first team) and senior (third team) years but was also one of ten finalists for the 2014 Hobey Baker Award. As a senior, Motte finished second in the nation in minutes played (2435:33) and tied for sixth in shutouts (5) after leading Division I netminders in both wins (28) and minutes (2431:06) and also finishing tied for sixth in shutouts (5) in his junior year.

Motte and the Bulldogs won regular season conference titles and earned NCAA tournament bids in both 2011-12 and 2013-14 and in 2012 reached the national title game.

Motte played three years of junior hockey before heading to Ferris State. He spent two seasons in the United States Hockey League with the Waterloo Black Hawks after a single campaign in the North American Hockey League with the Traverse City North Stars.

The Mallards return to action on home ice Friday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Wichita Thunder. Fans are invited to join the Mallards' Teddy Bear Toss presented by R.I.A. Federal Credit Union and throw teddy bears onto the ice after the first goal the Mallards score in Friday's game. Stuffed animals hurled onto the ice will be donated to children in need in the Quad Cities area. Fans can bring their own teddy bears or take advantage of the Mallards' teddy bear ticket offer and purchase a seat for Friday's game and a teddy bear for just $20. That special offer is available through the Mallards' business office (309-277-1364) while supplies last.

Friday's game also brings the return of $2 Dog/$2 Beer Night presented by 97X. Fans can enjoy $2 hot dogs and beers from TaxSlayer Center concession stands during every Friday Mallards home game. In addition, the Mallards have once again this season partnered with Metro to provide transit service between Augustana College and downtown Moline during all Friday home games. As part of Metro's unlimited ride program, Augustana riders can use their Augustana ID as their fare.

Tickets for Friday's contest and all Mallards regular season home games are now on sale at the TaxSlayer Center box office, Ticketmaster toll free charge-by-phone ( 1-800-745-3000 ) and ticketmaster.com . The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.



ECHL Stories from November 21, 2017


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