During limited-time sale, fans may order personalized 2013 Midwest League championship rings

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JAN. 8, 2014) - Fans of the Quad Cities River Bandits can own a piece of history with a commemorative 2013 Midwest League Championship ring in a limited-time sale. Until Feb. 1, fans may purchase rings that match the ones earned by the team's players and staff, and each fan may personalize the championship hardware with his or her last name on the side of the ring.

Fans may order rings by completing an order form at Modern Woodmen Park, calling 563-324-3000 or visiting www.riverbandits.com. Each ring is $295, and all orders must be received and paid by Feb. 1.

"We are thrilled to offer River Bandits fans the opportunity to show their championship pride with rings identical to those earned by the team!" said River Bandits co-owner Dave Heller. "Our fans made Modern Woodmen Park the best place to win and celebrate two Midwest League Championships in the past three seasons, and these special-edition rings will give them a unique keepsake to honor that support."

Pictures of the ring design are available at www.riverbandits.com. On the face of the ring will be "Midwest League Champions" around the border with the colored logo of the Q-C letters with cowboy hat and bandana in the middle of the ring. One side of the ring will have the year - 2013 - and the logo of the River Bandits' major league affiliate, the Houston Astros. The other side will have the raccoon logo from the River Bandits' cap and space for the wearer's last name. Rings are classic design in sterling silver with cubic zirconia, raised name, tooling and a customized wood presentation box.

The River Bandits will open the 2014 Midwest League season at Modern Woodmen Park Thursday, April 3. A full schedule of home and road games for 2014 is available at www.riverbandits.com, and ticket plans for the 2014 season are now on sale.

UP NEXT: Season-ticket holders can still guarantee their same seats for the upcoming season, but time is running short! Ticket-plan holders must renew their plans with a $50 deposit per seat by Jan. 31, in order to keep the same seats as last season. Contact your account representative or call 563-324-3000 today to renew your ticket plan. To order ticket plans - with new lower prices - for next season, call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000 or visit www.riverbandits.com to download the season ticket order form. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for this spring, along with a carousel, a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

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Second Mallard This Week to Sign P.T.O. with Iowa Wild

MOLINE, Ill. (January 8, 2014) - Quad City Mallards forward Jim McKenzie has joined the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild on a professional tryout agreement, the Mallards announced today.

McKenzie, 29, is tied for the Mallard team lead in goals (11) and points (24) and leads the club in power play goals (4) and penalty minutes (67).  The St. Paul, Minnesota, native serves as an alternate captain and has registered a plus/minus rating of +3 while playing in each of the Mallards' first 28 games.  McKenzie was in the midst of a five-game point-scoring streak (2-4-6) at the time of his call-up.

McKenzie joins defenseman Nicholas Rioux as the second Mallard in three days to sign a P.T.O. with Iowa.  He is the fourth Mallard to be called up this season.  Goaltenders Thomas Heemskerk (Iowa) and Ty Rimmer (Oklahoma City) have also both spent time in the AHL.

McKenzie, who was originally selected by the Ottawa Senators in the fifth round of the 2004 National Hockey League Entry Draft with the one hundred forty-first overall choice, is no stranger to the AHL.  He spent part of each of his first four professional seasons in the league, skating in a total of 67 AHL games and registering four goals and five assists for the Binghampton Senators, Lake Erie Monsters, Worcester Sharks and Peoria Rivermen.  McKenzie last saw AHL action in 2010-11 with Worcester and Peoria.  He spent the 2008-09 season with Binghampton, collecting five points in 44 games.

The 6' 2", 200-pound McKenzie joined the Mallards after helping the Allen Americans to the CHL President's Cup title last spring.  McKenzie arrived in Allen for the stretch run of the regular season after beginning the campaign with the ECHL's Evansville IceMen.  He notched two goals and two assists in 15 regular season games with the Americans before breaking loose for six goals and 13 points in 15 playoff games.  He recorded a goal and five assists in 12 games with the IceMen before heading to the Lone Star State.  Last year's stint was McKenzie's second with Allen.  In 2011-12, he scored twenty goals and totaled 44 points while piling up 168 penalty minutes in 54 games as an American.  The IceMen were McKenzie's fourth ECHL club.  He previously played for the Elmira Jackals, Johnstown Chiefs and Stockton Thunder.

McKenzie turned pro after three seasons at Michigan State, where he scored 34 goals and recorded 76 points in 112 games.  In 2006-07, McKenzie capped off his college career by scoring a dozen goals and producing 30 points in 35 games while helping propel the Spartans to the NCAA title.  McKenzie spent three seasons in the junior ranks with the Green Bay Gamblers and Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League before arriving in East Lansing.

The Mallards return to action on home ice tonight at 7:05 p.m. against the Brampton Beast.  That game is the Mallards' first Winning Wednesday presented by T.G.I. Friday's.  If the Mallards win a Wednesday night home game all in attendance win free tickets for the next Wednesday game.  In addition, $2 beer and hot dogs will be available during Wednesday night tilts.  After each Wednesday night game, fans can join the Mallards for a postgame party at T.G.I. Friday's next to the iWireless Center.

Tickets for tonight's game and all Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com 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.

Auction Benefits Genesis Health Services Foundation's Flu-Free QC Program

Free Mallards Youth Replica Jerseys for First 1,000 Fans 12 and Under

Courtesy of Scott County Family Y and Two Rivers YMCA

MOLINE, Ill. (January 7, 2014) - The Quad City Mallards will wear special edition affiliate jerseys when they take on the Arizona Sundogs Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at the i wireless Center and those jerseys will go up for bid in a live auction immediately following the game to benefit the Genesis Health Services Foundation's Flu-Free QC program. 

The Mallards, who are in their first season as an affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, Saturday night will don cream-colored affiliate jerseys bearing "Quad City Mallards" across the chest in Mallard green script and the team's secondary duck logo on the shoulders.

"The money raised at this annual auction is used to provide essential health care services to our neighbors throughout the QCA.  On behalf of that grateful community, I thank the Mallards for their on-going commitment to the health and well-being of their fans and friends," said Ken Croken, vice president of corporate communications and marketing, Genesis Health System.

Last season, the Mallards teamed with Genesis for a pair of jersey auctions that raised better than $46,000 for both the Genesis Flu-Free QC campaign and for Genesis Outpatient Rehabilitation.  Over the past 19 years, Mallards jersey auctions have raised over $700,000 to benefit Genesis Health System Charities.

"The generosity and community-mindedness of Mallards fans is something that has impressed me hugely since I arrived here a year ago," said Mallards president Bob McNamara.  "Their willingness to do so much for a cause like the Genesis Health Services Foundation that does such valuable work and provides so many important services for this community is something we are deeply thankful for."

Saturday's event is the first of the Mallards' two Genesis jersey auctions this season.  Another one-of-a-kind set of game worn jerseys be auctioned off following the Mallards' Saturday, March 8 game against Arizona.

This Saturday evening will also see the first 1,000 fans ages 12 and under through the doors at the iWireless Center receive free Mallards youth replica jerseys courtesy of Scott County Family Y and Two Rivers YMCA.

Tickets for Saturday night's game can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com 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.

About Genesis Health System

Genesis Health System, its affiliates and partners offer a full continuum of health care services.  Genesis Health System's affiliates include : acute and tertiary hospital care at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport and DeWitt, Iowa and Genesis Medical Center, Silvis and Aledo in Illinois; home health and hospice services through Genesis VNA and Hospice; Genesis Workplace Services, including occupational health, employee assistance and wellness services for employers and their employees; the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House; senior living facilities offering rehabilitation and long-term care; Genesis Health Group, with more than 170 primary care physicians and specialists; a Family Practice Residency program; Genesis Psychology Associates; three Convenient Care clinics; and Genesis Home Medical Equipment.  Partners include the Genesis Medical Park, Crow Valley, Genesis Imaging Centers and Spring Street Surgical Center, Davenport. Genesis Health System serves a 10-county area of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.  Genesis also manages Jackson County Regional Health Center in Maquoketa, Iowa. For more information, visit www.genesishealth.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 in the midst of 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.

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THIS WEEK
Wednesday, January 8, 7:05 p.m.
iWireless Center, Moline
Brampton Beast vs. Quad City Mallards

Friday, January 10, 7:05 p.m.
iWireless Center, Moline
Wichita Thunder vs. Quad City Mallards

Saturday, January 11, 7:05 p.m.
iWireless Center, Moline
Arizona Sundogs vs. Quad City Mallards

LAST WEEKEND
Friday, January 3
St. Charles 4 Quad City 3

Saturday, January 4
Quad City 5 St. Charles 0

Quad City
16-7-5 (37 points)
5th place
Coach: Terry Ruskowski

Brampton
16-14-2 (34 points)
6th place
Coach: Mark DeSantis

Wichita
11-17-4 (26 points)
8th place
Coach: Kevin McClelland

Arizona
12-18-1 (25 points)
9th place
Coach: Kevin Colley

QUACK TRACKS
Last Weekend
The Mallards rebounded after squandering a 3-1 third period lead in last Friday night's 4-3 home loss to the Chill by scoring four third period goals on the way to a 5-0 win in St. Charles the following evening.

Streaking
While last Friday's loss ended the Mallards' five game winning streak, the Mallards have now won six of their last seven games.  The five game winning streak is the Mallards' longest this season.

Playing the Percentages
The Mallards, who have played fewer games than any other CHL team, boast the league's third best winning percentage (.661).  With a win Wednesday over Brampton the Mallards would overtake Denver and move into fourth place.

Home Sweet Home
Last Friday's loss ended the Mallards' eight game (7-0-1) home regulation unbeaten streak.  That defeat was the Mallards' first at the iWireless Center since falling at home to Brampton November 2.

On the Road
The Mallards have won five straight road games for the first time since they strung together five consecutive away victories between November 23 and December 13, 2011.  The Mallards last won more than five in a row on the road when they ripped off seven straight wins away from home between December 31, 2010 and February 11, 2011.

Goals, Goals, Goals
The Mallards scored five times last Saturday after producing three goals or fewer in 11 of their prior 12 games.  On the season, the Mallards rank fourth in the league in goals per game (3.6) despite the fact no Mallard ranks in the top 20 in the CHL in points.

Stingy
The Mallards, who have given up two goals or fewer in five of their last seven games, rank third in the CHL in fewest goals allowed per game (2.9).

Between the Pipes
Goaltender Thomas Heemskerk made 29 saves last Saturday on the way to his second shutout in his last four games, his second in his last two starts against St. Charles and the second of his career.  Heemskerk has won four straight games and has posted a 1.50 goals against average and a .947 save percentage along with two shutouts during that streak

Rookie of the Month

Goaltender Ty Rimmer last Thursday was named December CHL Goaltender of the Month after going 3-0-2 with a 2.00 goals against average and a .938 save percentage in the final month of 2013.

Streaking, Take 2
Forwards Jim McKenzie (2-4-6) and Gergo Nagy (1-4-5) are on five game point scoring streaks.  Nagy has also produced four goals and 17 points over his last 15 games.  Defenseman Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel scored twice last Saturday and has now ripped off four goals and totaled five points (4-1-5) in his last five games. 

Leaders
Mike Hellyer is tied for second in game winning goals (5)...Among rookies, Thomas Frazee ranks second in assists (15), ranks third in points (22) and is tied for seventh in goals (7)...Heemskerk ranks second in goals against average (2.50) and fourth in save percentage (.919)...Rimmer ranks ninth in goals against average (2.84) and save percentage (.907).

Milestones
McKenzie has recorded 98 career assists...Darren McMillan has played 494 career games and collected 96 career CHL assists...Vladimir Nikiforov has played 294 career games.

Special Teams
The Mallards rank last in the CHL in power play efficiency (11.8 percent).  The Mallards have now scored on just one of their last 26 power plays, converted just two of their last 50 man advantages and cashed in just three of their last 66.  The Mallards rank fourth in penalty killing (83.9 percent) and are tied for the league lead in shorthanded goals (6).

Head to Head
The Mallards have gone 5-1-1 against Brampton this season.  With a 3-2 victory last Monday, the Mallards completed a sweep of a three game series in Brampton.  They have gone 5-0-1 against the Beast since losing their first ever meeting with Brampton on November 2.  The Mallards have gone 2-1-1 against the Beast at home this season.  Gergo Nagy (3-6-9) and Jim McKenzie (3-6-9) are the top point scorers in the season series.  The two clubs will meet a total of 13 times this season...Friday's game is the first of three this season between the Mallards and Thunder.  Last season the Mallards went 3-3-0 against the Thunder overall and 1-1-0 at home.  All-time the Mallards have gone 5-11-0 against Wichita overall and 3-5-0 at home...The Mallards have gone 0-0-2 against Arizona this season.  The Mallards suffered a pair of 3-2 shootout losses November 22 and 23 in Prescott Valley.   All-time the Mallards have gone 5-2-4 against the Sundogs and have posted a 3-1-1 at the iWireless Center against Arizona.  The Mallards and Sundogs will wrap up their five game season series with meetings March 7 and 8 in the Quad Cities.

Ins and Outs
Defenseman Nicholas Rioux signed a professional tryout agreement with the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild today...Forward Jordan Lane served a two-game CHL suspension during the Mallards' games last Monday in Brampton and last Friday against St. Charles.  Lane was suspended after being assessed a game misconduct during the Mallards' Saturday, December 28 game at Brampton.

NEXT HOME GAME
Wednesday, January 8, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Brampton Beast
Winning Wednesday Presented by T.G.I. Friday's
This Wednesday game is the Mallards' first Winning Wednesday presented by T.G.I. Friday's.  If the Mallards win a Wednesday night home game all in attendance win free tickets for the next Wednesday game.  In addition, $2 beer and hot dogs will be available during Wednesday night tilts.  After each Wednesday night game, fans can join the Mallards for a postgame party at T.G.I. Friday's next to the iWireless Center.

Friday, January 10, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Wichita Thunder
$1 Dog/$1 Beer Friday Presented by 97X
This Friday is another $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X. $1 hot dogs and $1 beers are available at iWireless Center concession stands during each of the Mallards' 11 Friday night home games this season. 

Saturday, January 11, 7:05 p.m.,- Mallards vs. Arizona Sundogs
Genesis Jersey Auction
The Mallards will wear special edition Wild affiliate jerseys when they take on the Arizona Sundogs Saturday.  Immediately after the game those jerseys will go up for bid in a live auction to benefit the Genesis Health Services Foundation.

Youth Jersey Giveaway Presented by Scott County Family Y and Two Rivers YMCA
The first 1,000 fans age 12 and under through the doors for Saturday's game will receive a free Mallards replica youth jersey courtesy of Scott County Family Y and Two Rivers YMCA.

ON THE AIR
Fox Sports Radio 1230 is the radio home of Mallards Hockey Presented by Genesis Power Sports Performance.  Mallards games broadcast on AM 1230 also stream live online at www.wfxn.net.  A limited number of Mallards games- including Wednesday night's- will not air on Fox Sports Radio 1230 due to conflicts with University of Illinois basketball and football and Green Bay Packer football.  Free audio webcasts of games that do not air on AM 1230 are available at myqcmallards.com.  CHL-TV pay-per-view video webcasts of all Mallards games are also available at myqcmallards.com.  For a full Mallards broadcast/webcast schedule, go to

TICKETS
Single Game Tickets
Single game tickets for all Mallards regular season contests are now available.  Fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 orinfo@myqcmallards.com for more information about tickets.  Single game tickets are also available at the i wireless Center box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through www.ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free.  The box 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.

Group Tickets
Groups of at least ten can receive savings off the walk-up price and a host of other great group benefits.  Mallards group tickets are a great fit for youth organizations, friends, co-workers, family groups, religious groups, school functions and business events.  For more group ticket information, fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or info@myqcmallards.com.

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