Mallards add rookie Laporte

MOLINE, Ill. – The Quad City Mallards have signed forward Nolan LaPorte to a contract for the 2016-17 season.

The Mallards are the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild.

LaPorte, 24, scored 17 points (8g-9a) in 31 games as a senior at Western Michigan University last season. The Mokena, Ill. native joins the Mallards after skating in National Hockey League training camp with the Washington Capitals on a tryout agreement.

LaPorte tallied 70 points (33g-37a) in 133 career collegiate games. He served as a Western Michigan co-captain as a junior while his most productive season as a Bronco was his sophomore campaign, during which he produced 24 points (11g-13a) in 40 games.

LaPorte spent two seasons with the United States Hockey League’s Green Bay Gamblers before making the move to WMU. He finished fourth in the USHL in points (70) in 2011-12 while helping Green Bay to the league title.