Quad City Mallards (1995–2007)

Quad City Mallards
Operated 1995–2007
Arena The MARK of the Quad Cities
City Moline, IL
Colors Forest green, Burgundy
League UHL
Owner Quad City Sports Ventures
Media Affiliates WFXN (AM 1230)
Regular Season Championships 4 (1997–98, 1999-00, 2000–01, 2001–02)
Colonial Cups 3 (1996–97, 1997–98, 2000–01)

The Quad City Mallards were a professional ice hockey team competing in the AA level United Hockey League. The Mallards played their home games at The MARK of the Quad Cities in Moline, Illinois. Their team colors were forest green and burgundy. They won the Colonial Cup in 1997, 1998 and 2001, and the Tarry Cup in 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2002. The Mallards won 50 or more games in 6 consecutive seasons, from 1996-97 to 2001-02, a professional hockey record.[1] They were also known for never having missed the playoffs in their years of existence. Historically, the Mallards enjoyed heated and spirited rivalries with the Flint Generals, Muskegon Fury and Rockford IceHogs.

In response to the Calgary Flames's decision to relocate their American Hockey League affiliate from Omaha, Nebraska to Moline before the start of the 2007 season, the Mallards announced that they would cease operations. The franchise that replaced them, the Quad City Flames, lasted two seasons before that team moved to Abbotsford, British Columbia in 2009.

It has been announced that the Quad City Mallards will return to the IHL in the 2009-2010 season.[2] The IHL contains the Muskegon Lumberjacks, Port Huron Icehawks, Flint Generals, Dayton Gems, Bloomington Prairie Thunder, and current champion Fort Wayne Komets.

Former team owner Chris Lencheski, along with business partner Steve Ryan, brought hockey back to the Quad Cities at the Double-A level in 2009. Lencheski is the founder and CEO of SKI & Company, a sports marketing firm headquartered in Bethlehem, Pa. His company also has offices in New York City, Charlotte, Dubai and London. A motorsports guru, Lencheski owns two NASCAR teams. The Mallards are now owned by Eric Karls of Tape2Tape Sports.[3]

Contents

Championships

Year League Trophy
2000–2001 UHL Colonial Cup
1997–1998 UHL Colonial Cup
1996–1997 Colonial Hockey League Colonial Cup

Season-by-season results

Colonial Hockey League (1995–1997)

Year GP W L SOL PTS GF GA PIM Playoffs
1995-96 74 30 39 5 65 269 311 2372 Lost in 1st round
1996-97 74 51 20 3 105 384 245 1846 Won Championship

United Hockey League (1997–2007)

Year GP W L SOL PTS GF GA PIM Playoffs
1997-98 74 55 18 1 111 360 257 2204 Won Championship
1998-99 74 50 19 5 105 364 253 2514 Lost in Finals
1999-00 74 53 16 5 111 341 216 2018 Lost in Finals
2000-01 74 55 12 7 117 369 264 2373 Won Championship
2001-02 74 57 15 2 116 296 175 1810 Lost in 2nd round
2002-03 76 41 25 10 92 281 240 1738 Lost in Finals
2003-04 76 50 20 6 106 287 220 1653 Lost in 1st round
2004-05 80 39 30 11 89 226 228 1990 Lost in 1st round
2005-06 76 41 27 8 90 224 213 1452 Lost in 1st round
2006-07 76 37 28 11 85 269 264 1932 Lost in 1st round

Retired numbers

References

  1. ^ http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2002/03/18/mallards/export31148.txt Quad City Times Article: Mallards Extend Streak of Excellence - March 18th, 2002
  2. ^ http://www.qctimes.com/news/local/article_24ad1164-64f1-11de-89ba-001cc4c03286.html
  3. ^ http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=446647