This marks the third time this season, Rioux, 27, has been called up to Iowa. The 6' 1", 205-pound Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec native played six games over two stints in January with the Wild. Rioux also took part in Iowa's preseason training camp.
Rioux, who has scored five goals for the Mallards this season, ranks eighth among Central Hockey League defensemen in assists (25) and is tied for tenth among CHL blue liners in points (30). He has posted a plus/minus rating of +8 in 55 games with the Mallards. Rioux has also been named one of five finalists for the CHL's Most Outstanding Defenseman award.
Last year, Rioux scored seven goals and registered 27 points with a plus/minus of +3 for the CHL's Bloomington Blaze. The durable Rioux played in each of the Blaze's 66 regular season games last season and missed just a single game over his first two professional campaigns.
Rioux first played under Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski as a rookie with the CHL's Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in 2011-12. Rioux scored five times, produced 21 points and turned in a plus/minus of +5 in 65 games with the Killer Bees.
Rioux turned pro after a three-year college career at St. Cloud State during which he totaled three goals and four assists in 26 games. Rioux played two seasons of junior hockey in the British Columbia League- with the Quesnel Millionaires and Prince George Spruce Kings- before heading to St. Cloud.
The Mallards next play Wednesday night on the road against the Allen Americans. The Mallards' next home game is their regular season finale next Sunday, March 30, at 4:05 p.m. against the Missouri Mavericks. Next Sunday is Fan Appreciation Day at the iWireless Center. Fans can bring their skates to next Sunday's game and skate with the Mallards after that tilt. In addition, all fans in attendance will receive a coupon good for a free bag of popcorn at iWireless Center concession stands.
Tickets for next Sunday's game can be purchased in person at the iWireless Center box office, online at ticketmaster.com, at Ticketmaster outlets or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000. The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.
