The Quad City Mallards have renewed their affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League’s Iowa Wild and will serve as the Wild’s sole ECHL affiliate, the Mallards announced today.
 
“We’re excited to announce this new agreement and continue our partnership with the Mallards,” said Minnesota Wild assistant general manager Brent Flahr.  “Quad City offers a great organization that will provide our players with an excellent opportunity to continue their development.”  

Under the affiliation agreement, the Mallards will continue to serve as a resource for the development efforts and personnel needs of both the Iowa and Minnesota Wild.  The 2015-16 season will be the Mallards’ third as a Wild affiliate but the Flock’s first as the organization’s lone ECHL farm club.  The Mallards acted as the Wild’s Central Hockey League affiliate in 2013-14 and were a secondary ECHL affiliate last season while the Alaska Aces served at the Wild’s primary affiliate in the ECHL.

"We're very excited about not only extending our affiliation agreement with the Minnesota and Iowa Wild but also serving as the Wild's exclusive ECHL affiliate," said Mallards president Bob McNamara.  "Continuing our affiliation will give the fans of the Quad Cities the chance to watch some very exciting Wild prospects at the iWireless Center and give our players a great opportunity to take the next step in their careers."
 
The Minnesota Wild first took the ice in 2000 and has since proven to be a model of consistency, posting winning records in 11 of the last 12 seasons.  The Iowa Wild is approaching the start of its third AHL campaign.  
 
The Mallards will begin their nineteenth season- and their second in the ECHL- on the road against the defending champion Allen Americans on Friday, October 16 before returning to the Quad Cities to play their home opener on Friday, October 23 at 7:05 p.m. against the Tulsa Oilers.  Mallards 2015-16 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.com.