MOLINE, Ill. (September 17, 2013) - The Quad City Mallards have signed forward Vladimir Nikiforov, the Mallards announced today.
"Vladimir is a quick, crafty guy who is a proven goal scorer and playmaker," said Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski. "I saw him play in this league two years ago and he was the best player on the ice, so we're looking for a lot of productivity from him."
Nikiforov, 25, spent last season in Russia, where he scored ten goals and totaled 17 points in 45 games with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Major Hockey League.
The 5' 7", 160-pound Nikiforov last played in North America in 2011-12 for the Bloomington Blaze. Nikiforov scored 21 goals and recorded 51 points in 51 games with the Blaze after starting that campaign with the Federal Hockey League's Brooklyn Aviators, for whom he ripped off nine goals and piled up 20 points in ten games.
Over his first five years in professional hockey, Nikiforov has produced 71 goals and 184 points in 266 career games. While the Hauppage, New York, native spent the bulk of his first three seasons in the ECHL, he also skated in 19 American Hockey League games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers as a rookie in 2008-09. Nikiforov played most of his first two years with the Utah Grizzlies before suiting up for three different ECHL clubs- the Florida Everblades, Bakersfield Condors and Reading Royals- in 2010-11.
Nikiforov played three seasons in the major junior Ontario Hockey League with the Barrie Colts and Sarnia Sting before turning pro. In 2006-07, he helped the Colts to a first place finish in the OHL's Eastern Conference. In all, Nikiforov registered 63 goals and 173 points in 179 OHL games.
The Mallards will open their seventeenth season- and their fourth in the CHL- when they host the Rapid City Rush on Saturday night, October 19. Mallards 2013-14 season tickets as well as half season tickets and flex packs are now on sale. The Mallards offer ticket packages to meet any budget and season ticket holders also receive a host of additional benefits, including a unique season ticket holder Mallards jersey. More ticket package information is available by calling the Mallards at 309-277-1364 or emailing info@myqcmallards.com.
About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are approaching their seventeenth season and their fourth in the Central Hockey League. One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10. The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record. In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched. The i wireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club. For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.com. Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.
-### Quad City Mallards ### -
