Mallards become ECHL affiliate of Vegas, Chicago

MOLINE, Ill. – The Quad City Mallards have entered into a multi-year agreement to serve as the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vegas Golden Knights and the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves.

“I am very familiar with people in both organizations, so I am confident this affiliation will be a great fit for the Mallards,” said Mallards president and general manager Bob McNamara. “We’re very excited to have the unique opportunity to work with the Golden Knights from day one and equally thrilled to affiliate with one of the AHL’s flagship franchises in the Wolves.”

Next season will be the expansion Golden Knights’ first in the NHL. The Golden Knights will continue the process of stocking their roster later this month with the NHL expansion draft. The Wolves this season won the AHL’s Central Division regular season title and finished second overall in the league with 101 points. A perennial power, the Wolves have twice won the AHL Calder Cup title after also claiming a pair of Turner Cups during their days in the International Hockey League.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming players from our affiliation with the Golden Knights and the Wolves to the Mallards and our community. The opportunity to help those players improve, develop, grow and take steps toward playing in the AHL and eventually the NHL is always exciting," said Mallards coach Phil Axtell.