Forward Back for Second Season After Standout Rookie Campaign
MOLINE, Ill. (September 9, 2013) - The Quad City Mallards have re-signed forward Mike Stinziani, the Mallards announced today.
"Mike was a big part of our team last year and is going to be an even bigger part this year," said Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski. "He can score goals, he's strong on the power play and he's got great speed. We're banking on his talent, credibility and character and we're going to count on him even more this year"
Stinziani, 24, finished last season second among Central Hockey League rookies in goals (26), tied for second among first year players in points (51) and fourth among rookies in assists (25). He was also the Mallards' second leading goal scorer and finished third on the team in point scoring.
The Montreal native completed his first professional campaign on a high note when he was named CHL Second Star for the month of March after scoring seven goals and totaling twelve points while helping propel the Mallards to a league-best 11-2-0 record in March.
The 5' 9", 205-pound Stinziani joined the Mallards after scoring 12 goals, picking up 31 assists and producing 43 points in 27 games with Concordia University in Montreal in 2011-12. He finished third nationwide in both assists and points in what was his second university season. For his efforts, Stinziani was named to the 2011-12 Ontario University Athletics East second all-star team. Stinziani first took the ice for the Stingers in 2010-11, scoring eight goals and ringing up 17 points in just a dozen games.
Stinziani headed to Concordia after spending five seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He scored 58 times and recorded 148 points in 269 career junior games with the Gatineau Olympiques, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, Chicoutimi Sagueneens and Prince Edward Island Rocket. In 2008 Stinziani helped the Olympiques to the QMJHL President's Cup title.
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
