19 Mar 2014

MALLARD TRIO NAMED CHL AWARD FINALISTS

By Brian Lavelle
Rimmer Nominated for Most Outstanding Goaltender, Frazee for Rookie of the Year, Rioux for Most Outsanding Defenseman


MOLINE, Ill. (March 13, 2014) - The Quad City Mallards' Ty Rimmer has been named one of five finalists for the Central Hockey League Most Outstanding Goaltender award while the Mallards' Thomas Frazee has been named a finalist for the CHL's Rookie of the Year award and Quad City's Nicholas Rioux has been selected as a finalist for the league's Most Outstanding Defenseman honor, the Mallards announced today in conjunction with the CHL.

Rimmer, a 21-year old rookie, has gone 17-11-4 in 34 games this season and is tied for third in the league in shutouts (3), ranks sixth in goals against average (2.76) and save percentage (.910) and ranks seventh in wins.  The 6' 1", 170-pound Edmonton native is in the midst of a four game winning streak and has gone 7-1-0 in his last ten games.

Rimmer played three American Hockey League games for the Oklahoma City Barons in December, going 1-0-1 with a 2.65 goals against average and a .930 save percentage during his AHL call-up.  Rimmer was also named CHL Rookie of the Month for December.

In preseason, Rimmer participated in not only the Barons' training camp but also the camp of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers.

Rimmer got his first taste of professional hockey last spring when he played one game for the AHL's Manchester Monarchs after completing his junior career with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League.  Rimmer last season led the WHL in minutes played (3,836) and total saves (2,106) while posting 3.19 goals against average, a .912 save percentage, a record of 24-30-10 and one shutout in 65 games with the Hurricanes.

The 2011-12 campaign was especially successful for Rimmer, who earned WHL First Team All-Star honors after leading the league in goals against average (2.43) and save percentage (.922), finishing tied for first in shutouts (5) and finishing tied for eighth in wins while going 31-12-1 in 46 games for the Tri-City Americans.  His standout efforts helped propel the Americans to the United States Division title.

Over three-plus Western League seasons- during which he also played for the Brandon Wheat Kings and Prince George Cougars in addition to the Americans and Hurricanes- Rimmer went 74-65-14 in 159 games and turned in a 3.01 goals against average, a .910 save percentage and ten shutouts. Before becoming a WHL workhorse, Rimmer spent parts of two seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the St. Albert Steel and Bonnyville Pontiacs.

Among CHL rookies, the 23-year old Frazee is tied for third in points (37), ranks fourth in goals (18) and ranks sixth in assists (19).  Frazee, who has turned in a plus/minus rating of +8 in 49 games, also ranks third in the overall in shorthanded goals (3).  The 6' 3", 210-pound North Vancouver product was named CHL Rookie of the Month for November.

Frazee last year scored seven goals and totaled 22 points in 16 games for Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  Frazee first arrived at Lakehead midway through the 2011-12 season, a campaign Frazee began with the ECHL's Bakersfield Condors.  Frazee scored once and picked up three assists in 13 games as a Condor before making the move to the university ranks.

Frazee spent five-plus seasons in the major junior Western Hockey League, skating for the Portland Winter Hawks, Medicine Hat Tigers, Moose Jaw Warriors, Regina Pats and Kamloops Blazers between 2006 and 2011.  Frazee's final junior campaign was his most productive.  He scored 31 goals and notched 72 points in 70 games while splitting the 2010-11 season between Regina and Kamloops.  In all, Frazee recorded 72 goals and 188 points in 313 career WHL games.

Rioux, 27, has scored five goals and totaled 25 points while posting a plus/minus rating of +7 in 48 games with the Mallards this season.  The 6' 1", 205 pound native of Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec, also played six games over two January stints with the AHL's Iowa Wild. 

Last year, Rioux scored seven goals and registered 27 points with a plus/minus of +3 for the CHL's Bloomington Blaze.  The durable blue liner 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.

This is the second season in a row a trio of Mallards have been nominated for year-end CHL honors.  Last spring Mickey Lang (Most Valuable Player), Mike Hellyer (Rookie of the Year) and Matt Duffy (Most Outstanding Defenseman) were all award finalists, with Hellyer taking home the hardware.


17 Mar 2014

Kaaba Shriners announces Media Day

By Carl Van Keuren
Kaaba Shriners is pleased to announce that they will again be sponsoring the annual Media Day at the Masonic Center, 511 East 65th Street, Davenport, IA on April 1.
Media Day is where the local electronic and print personnel gets to great and meet the graduating senior football players and cheerleaders that have committed to participate in the North/South Football Game scheduled to be played July 26th at the UNI-Dome  in Cedar falls, IA.
The North/South football game is a successful fund raiser for the Shrine hospitals in Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Louis and Cincinnati who share equally in the proceeds.
The Shrine hospital network of 22 hospitals, provides exceptional care to children in need of medical care without cost to the patient, parent or guardian.
We would be pleased to welcome your representative to the luncheon, and be introduced to those in attendance. Hours are from 11:00 to 1:00.
17 Mar 2014

MALLARDS' WEBSITE NOW AT MYQCMALLARDS.NET

By Brian Lavelle
Please note that the Quad City Mallards' official website is now up and live at a new URL: myqcmallards.net.  Our apologies for any inconvenience that may have been caused while the site was temporarily down.
14 Mar 2014

Genesis Mallard Jersey Auction Raises $29,700 for Genesis Outpatient Rehabilitation

By Brian Lavelle
Rimmer Jersey Draws $6,500 High Bid

MOLINE, Ill. (March 8, 2014) - The Quad City Mallards tonight teamed with the Genesis Health Services Foundation and KWQC TV6 to raise $29,700 for the Genesis Outpatient Rehabilitation through a game-worn jersey auction after the Mallards' game against the Arizona Sundogs at the iWireless Center.

The popular special edition orange third jerseys jerseys worn by the Mallards for the final time tonight in their 3-0 win over the Sundogs went up for bid in a live auction immediately following the contest, which was watched by a crowd of 5,513.  The jersey of goaltender Ty Rimmer went for the evening's high bid of $6,500.

Over the last 19 years, Mallards jersey auctions have raised well over $700,000 to benefit Genesis Health System charities.  Tonight's auction is the second of two the Mallards have held this season to raise a total of $48,300 for Genesis Health System charities.  After the Mallards' January 11 meeting with the Sundogs, bidding on game-worn affiliate jerseys raised $18,600 for the Genesis Flu-Free QC program.

14 Mar 2014

5,513 See Rimmer, Mallards Blank Sundogs 3-0

By Brian Lavelle
MOLINE, Ill. (March 8, 2014) - Ty Rimmer made 32 saves and Gergo Nagy, Mike Stinziani and Jordan Mayer all scored as the host Quad City Mallards blanked the Arizona Sundogs 3-0 Saturday night in front of a crowd of 5,513.  With the win the Mallards (28-18-8, 64 points) moved into a fifth place tie with the idle Brampton Beast and completed a two-game weekend sweep of the eighth place Sundogs (26-26-6, 58 points).

Nagy gave the Mallards the lead just one minute and eight seconds into the game by burying Matt Boyd's centering pass.  Stinziani- who also had an assist- stretched the advantage to 2-0 at 4:35 of the first period with a shorthanded breakaway goal.

The gap widened to three when Mayer scored his first career goal in the second period of his second professional game.   Mayer finished off a 2-on-1 rush by sweeping home Jeff Lee's goalmouth feed at 9:14 of the second.

Rimmer was at his busiest in the second period, stopping 15 Arizona shots the middle frame and making a series of fine saves before Mayer scored to keep the Sundogs from cutting the Mallard lead to one.
14 Mar 2014

FERRIS WHEEL INSTALLATION BEGINS AT MODERN WOODMEN PARK

By Marco LaNave
WHO: The following will be available for interviews: A six-person crew from Chance Rides, the Ferris wheel manufacturer based in Wichita, Kan.; River Bandits General Manager Andrew Chesser; and River Bandits' new Assistant General Manager of Amusements Mike Clark.
WHAT: Commencement of the installation process of the Ferris Wheel that will tower 110 feet above the playing field at Modern Woodmen Park upon opening later this spring.
WHERE: Installation will be happening behind the left field berm (east end) Modern Woodmen Park. This area may be more visible from east of the stadium in LeClaire Park. One truck with parts will arrive Monday morning and another Tuesday. Staging of the parts will be on Biederbeck Drive between Ripley Street and the construction site.
WHEN (*Weather permitting*): Monday, March 10 - installation of the base plates for the wheel.
Tuesday, March 11-Thursday, March 13: Installation of the four "legs" of the Ferris Wheel and hanging of the spokes for the wheel. The spokes will be spread at a later date to form the wheel, but vertical construction in excess of 50 feet high will be visible. Cattani Cranes (East Moline, Ill.) will supply a crane.
WHY: The Ferris wheel will highlight an amusement lineup to include a carousel, a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded 300-foot long zip line, an auto-belay rock climbing wall, and many other new games and attractions planned for Modern Woodmen Park.
--Quad Cities River Bandits--
11 Mar 2014

Spring Break Camp with Davenport Parks and Recreation

By Kenneth Asta
Adventure Camp at Roosevelt Community Center (1220 Minnie Ave, Davenport,52802) for all school out days! Get ready for games, fun and trips as we use this Spring Break to "Explore. Learn. Create!" Care is provided from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm for children K - 5th grade. Each child will need to bring a sack lunch and water bottle. Closed toed shoes must be worn by each child. It is recommended that the child wear old clothes or clothes that are able to get dirty as we will be outside, weather permitting.

School Out Days

Grades K - 5 / Monday - Friday / March 13 - 21 / 7:30am - 5:30pm

Per Day Cost = $28.80 Res / $36.00 Non Res / SDORCC15 - 22

* Days out Starts Thursday, March 13

Spring Break Camp : 5-Day Deal

Grades K-5 / Monday-Friday / March 17-21 / 7:30am - 5:30pm

$150 Non Res / $120 Res / SDORCC23

Valid all five days of camp week, Monday thru Friday

11 Mar 2014

Performance Enhancing in Sports

By Ginny Grimsley

What Do Peyton Manning, Dwight Howard, and Diana Nyad Have in Common?
They All Rely on Performance-Enhancing Technology!

Forget drugs that boost performance but cause health problems - and get athletes stripped of medals, titles and anything else they've earned.

Professionals and amateurs alike have discovered a new technology, Neurobands, to optimize their performance on the field and alleviate pain from current and prior injuries. Developed with the help of a 16-member team of physicians, trainers and other specialists, Neurobands mimic contractions that stimulate neuron pathways in specific muscles so they continuously adjust muscle balance to keeping the skeleton in alignment.

"Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who's had repeated neck and back injuries and multiple surgeries, now has eight therapeutic shirts with built-in Neurobands and wears them pretty much every day," says Bill Schultz, who brought the technology to market via his company, AlignMed, www.alignmed.com.

"Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard began wearing MyLign shirts after suffering a torn labrum [shoulder injury] in January 2013 when he was with the Lakers. The National Basketball Association approved it as a medical device."

And Diana Nyad wore one when she made her record-breaking swim from Cuba to the Keys last year," he says.

Nyad, who injured her shoulder in her 2011 crossing attempt, can be heard asking during a training session, "When are we gonna put my shirt back on?" in the 2013 documentary, "The Other Shore: The Diana Nyad Story."

How and why do therapeutic posture shirts work?

Schultz explains.

• Body alignment and good posture are the key recognizable characteristics of human health and a fundamental requirement for performance. The skeletal system will best support the weight and forces put on the body using the least amount of energy when it is correctly aligned. However, many people, including professional athletes, have a difficult time maintaining perfect alignment, or posture, either because they've had an injury that impedes it or because they're unable to do so without making a conscious effort. "These shirts are actually even more helpful and effective for people who sit at desks all day, since they tend to sit with their head forward," Schultz says.

• Compression shirts don't perform the same function. Compression shirts are designed to indiscriminately squeeze regional body parts. The only scientifically validated benefit is increased blood flow in the legs when certain regions are compressed, Schultz says, adding compression garments tend to be worn more for an aesthetic the wearer hopes to achieve.

• Correct alignment improves blood flow and reduces stress on joints. Increased blood flow improves muscle strength. In one of the independent studies done on AlignMed Posture Shirts, the University of Southern California tested pitchers' velocity, accuracy and throwing arm physiology when wearing the shirts and when wearing their usual game day undergarments. Velocity increased 1.47 mph and an overall 23.5 percent improvement in accuracy. "Reducing the excess force on joints cuts down on fatigue, the No. 1 cause of injury," Schultz says.

About Bill Schultz

Bill Schultz is founder and president of AlignMed, www.alignmed.com, a leading research-based innovator focused on the mechanical, neurological and aesthetic functions of posture. Through clinical studies and with the help of the AlignMed Advisory panel of 16 physicians, trainers and other specialists, Schultz has helped deliver critical information on the benefits of a proper posture to universities, medical clinics, physical therapists, strength coaches, the Air Force Academy and professional athletes. In September, Schultz received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for "outstanding and invaluable service."

11 Mar 2014

Mallards Sign Mayer, Greene Waived

By Brian Lavelle
MOLINE, Ill. (March 6, 2014) - The Quad City Mallards have signed forward Jordan Mayer and have waived forward Chris Greene, the Mallards announced today.

Mayer, 22, joins the Mallards after completing his second season at the University of Prince Edward Island.  The 5' 10", 185-pound Kingston, Ontario, native scored five goals and totaled 21 points in 28 games with the Panthers this year.  Mayer scored seven times and totaled 14 points in 22 games last season.

Mayer made his way to UPEI after five years in the major junior Ontario Hockey League.  He spent four and a half seasons with the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors before moving to the Belleville Bulls midway through the 2011-12 campaign.  Mayer produced 95 goals and 101 assists for 196 points in 296 career OHL games.  In 2010-11 he helped Mississauga to a first place overall finish and a berth in the Robertson Cup Finals.

Mayer got his first taste of junior hockey with the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League's Kingston Voyageurs, for whom he skated for parts of the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.

Greene scored two goals and picked up two assist in eight games with the Mallards after signing with the club last month.

11 Mar 2014

40th QC Times Bix 7 News

By Glenn Kass

THE BIX 7 WANTS YOU FOR A PATRIOTIC 40th ANNIVERSARY; AIMING FOR FIELD OF 20,000

USA 7 Mile Championship; Free Active Military Entries; Veterans Hospice Charity Highlight Event

BETTENDORF, IA - The 40th Anniversary of the Quad-City Times Bix 7 will be a patriotic celebration with the return of the USA Seven Mile Championships, free active duty military registrations and a program to assist veterans in hospice care as organizers aim for a field of 20,000. Race officials made the announcements in a media event at Isle of Capri Casino Hotel.

Participants return to Davenport on Saturday, July 26th, 2014. Registrations are being mailed in addition to availability at locations throughout the Quad City Area. Online entry is open at www.bix7.com with a valid Visa or MasterCard except for active duty military which will require a printed application.

Advance entries are only handled through the website, via mailed printed applications or those brought to the Quad-City Times building, 500 E. Third Street, Davenport. You can stay connected with news and training tips at www.facebook.com - Search Quad-City Times Bix 7 or www.twitter.com/@BixSeven.

For the fourth time (2002, 2009, 2010) the Bix 7 will host the USA Seven Mile Championships - part of the USA Running Circuit (www.runnerspace.com/USARunningCircuit).The yearly program is a development effort for athletes in training on road courses as they work toward opportunities to represent the country at World and Olympic competition through USA Track & Field.

Also, the Bix 7 will offer free entry to any active duty military. A printed application will be required which has a line to list the active military identification number. The entrant will also be required to present their military identification at packet pick up to confirm status.

Every paid entrant will be able to assist military veterans by adding a $2.00 contribution on the application to Genesis Health System Hospice's local chapter of the We Honor Veterans Program. Led by the Veterans Administration and hospice care providers, the national effort honors veterans nearing the end of life by celebrating their military service (www.genesishealth.com/services/home-health/hospice/we-honor-veterans/).

These activities complement the Premier Buick & GMC Dealers High School Challenge, the Quad City Bank & Trust Battle Up Brady, Alcoa Jr. Bix 7, Swiss Valley Farms Quick Bix, VictoryStore.com Gregg Newell and Eloise Caldwell awards for top local male and female area finishers, Rhythm City Casino Race for the Jackpot and Scott County Regional Authority All City Challenge.

As the country's best compete while saluting those who serve and sacrifice for our country, race director Ed Froehlich knows the Bix 7 is ready for a memorable 40th anniversary event.

"We're pleased to again host the USA Seven Mile Championships," said Froehlich, entering his 35th year guiding the race. "More importantly, the recognition of our service men and women that have and continue to make it possible for us to celebrate traditions like the Bix 7 since 1975 is one that our sponsors, volunteers and participants are thrilled to be involved with."

RICK McGRATH LEADS 2014 QUAD-CITY TIMES BIX 7 MILITARY SALUTE

13-year Committee Chair Joins Four Others as Assistant Race Directors

BETTENDORF, IA - Rick McGrath, a committee chair for 13 years with the Quad-City Times Bix 7, has been named as a new Assistant Race Director for the event by Race Director Ed Froehlich. Officials made the announcement in a media event at Isle of Capri Casino Hotel.

The 40th Bix 7 returns to Davenport on Saturday, July 26th, 2014. Registrations are being mailed in addition to availability at locations throughout the Quad City Area. Online entry is open at www.bix7.com with a valid Visa or MasterCard except for active duty military which will require a printed application for listing the active military identification number which will also be needed for packet pick up.

Advance entries are only handled through the website, via mailed printed applications or those brought to the Quad-City Times building, 500 E. Third Street, Davenport. You can stay connected with news and training tips at www.facebook.com - Search Quad-City Times Bix 7 or www.twitter.com/@BixSeven.

McGrath will head up the military initiatives for the event highlighted by free registration for active duty military. He joins Dan Breidinger, Ron Egger, Michelle Juehring and Paul Schmidt as Assistant Race Directors.

Along with his wife Laurie, the couple has coordinated musical entertainment on the course for race day. They will continue in that role. McGrath has a long relationship as a participant (35 years) and is excited to be serving the Bix 7 in this new effort.

"I have run the Bix which goes back to my days as a cross country athlete at Black Hawk College," said McGrath, a lifelong resident of the area. "I was friends with Nancy Kapheim who recruited me to the committee.

"We have several friends in the reserves," McGrath added. "However, my stepson joined the Navy to work toward his goal of medical school. So, with that first hand experience now I'm looking forward to this new opportunity to build a relationship with active duty personnel and the race."

Every paid entrant can join the patriotic excitement by adding a $2.00 contribution on the application to Genesis Health System Hospice's local chapter of the We Honor Veterans Program. The national effort honors veterans nearing the end of life by celebrating their military service (www.genesishealth.com/services/home-health/hospice/we-honor-veterans/).

These activities complement the Premier Buick & GMC Dealers High School Challenge, the Quad City Bank & Trust Battle Up Brady, Alcoa Jr. Bix 7, Swiss Valley Farms Quick Bix, VictoryStore.com Gregg Newell and Eloise Caldwell awards for top local male and female area finishers, Rhythm City Casino Race for the Jackpot and Scott County Regional Authority All City Challenge.

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