The Quad City Mallards have signed defenseman Kyle Follmer for the 2017-18 season, the Mallards announced today.

Follmer, 30, returns to the Quad Cities after playing for the Mallards for the bulk of the 2015-16 campaign and in one game early last season. The 6’ 1”, 195-pound St. Paul, Minnesota, native spent most of last season with the Fort Wayne Komets, for whom he scored four goals and added nine assists for 13 points in 39 games.

Follmer scored seven goals and picked up nine assists for 16 points in 41 games with the Mallards in 2015-16. He began that season by playing three games for the Allen Americans.

"Kyle plans to build off his first full pro year at defense, which was a position he hadn't played full time since college. I think when put in the right situations he has untapped potential on the blue line,” said Mallards coach Phil Axtell. “The fact that he played both forward and defense during his first two seasons here in the Quad Cities and in Allen makes him a valuable asset."

As a rookie in 2014-15, Follmer scored ten goals and added eight assists for 18 points in 45 games with the Americans. He skated in four playoff games as Allen claimed the 2015 ECHL Kelly Cup title.

Follmer, who was sidelined for the 2013-14 season by a hip injury, played four seasons at Northern Michigan before turning professional. He scored 15 goals, notched 52 assists and totaled 67 points in 152 career collegiate games. He enjoyed his most productive season as a Wildcat when he scored four times, produced a team-leading 22 assists and recorded 26 points as a junior after being named to the 2012-13 Central Collegiate Hockey Association Preseason All-Conference Second Team. In addition, Follmer was a 2009-10 CCHA All-Rookie honorable mention selection.

Follmer arrived at NMU after three junior seasons in the United States Hockey League, where he played for the Sioux City Musketeers and Lincoln Stars.

The Mallards will open their twenty-first season- and their fourth in the ECHL- on Friday, October 13 against the Toledo Walleye at the iWireless Center. Mallards 2017-18 season tickets are now available. Season ticket holders enjoy significant savings of the walk-up ticket price and receive a host of exclusive benefits. For more season ticket information, fans can contact the Mallards at 309-277-1364 or info@myqcmallards.net.