The Quad City Mallards have signed center Chris Francis, the Mallards announced today.

Francis, 27, spent last season with Alba Volan Szekesfehervar, a Hungarian club that competes in the Austrian Erste Bank Eishockey Liga. The 5’ 9”, 189-pound Francis scored 12 goals and picked up 17 assists for 29 points in 50 Austrian league games last year.

Center is a very important position and we needed a team guy with experience who can produce good numbers. Chris meets all those qualifications,” said Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about him and we were very fortunate to be able to sign a player of his ability.”

Francis last played in North America two seasons ago when he set career highs in goals (26), assists (36) and points (62) while playing 69 games for the Alaska Aces. He has piled up 93 goals, 145 assists and 138 points in 378 career games.

Francis joined the Aces after three and half years with the Las Vegas Wranglers, who he helped to a berth in the 2012 Kelly Cup finals. Francis first suited up for the Wranglers as a rookie in 2010-11 having also spent parts of his first professional season with the Fort Wayne Komets- who were then in the Central Hockey League- and the American Hockey League’s Springfield Falcons.

Francis turned pro after four Western Hockey League seasons with the Portland Winterhawks, for whom he recorded 66 goals, 123 assists and 189 points in 279 career junior games.

The Mallards will open their twentieth season in the Quad Cities on Friday, October 14 at 7:05 p.m. against the Fort Wayne Komets at the iWireless Center. Mallards 2016-17 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.