The Quad City Mallards of the “AA” Central Hockey League today announced they have signed forward Mike Hellyer. Per club policy, no contract terms were announced.
Hellyer, 26, is approaching his first full professional season after producing a promising playoff performance for the CHL’s Texas Brahmas last spring. Fresh from the University of Manitoba, Hellyer scored three postseason goals- two of them game winners- and picked up three assists in a dozen games during the Brahmas’ run to the Berry Conference finals.
“For Mike to come straight out of university and have a really good playoffs for Texas and score some big goals for them is pretty impressive,” said Mallards head coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski. “Now I’m looking forward to seeing what he’ll be able to do for the Mallards over a full season.”
Hellyer will arrive in the Quad Cities bidding to build on his eye-catching opening act in pro hockey. The Brandon, Manitoba, native’s first career goal was a vital one- the game winner in Texas’s series-clinching game six victory over the Allen Americans in the opening round of last year’s playoffs. The same night also saw him ice the game and the series for the Brahmas’ with a late empty net goal. Hellyer struck for another winning goal in game three of the Brahmas’ conference final match-up with the Wichita Thunder, though Texas would eventually fall to Wichita in six games.
The 5’ 9”, 170-pound Hellyer saw regular season action in three different uniforms last year. He scored four times and collected 16 points in 25 games while captaining Manitoba to the 2011-12 Canada West University Athletic Association regular season title. Hellyer then made his pro debut with the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads, for whom he played three games. He also skated in three regular season tilts for Texas before making his playoff breakthrough.
Over five seasons of university hockey, Hellyer scored 36 times and produced 98 points in 135 games. He served as the Bisons’ captain each of the last two years. Before matriculating, Hellyer spent four seasons with the Prince Albert Raiders of the major junior Western Hockey League. He notched 54 goals and 143 points in 262 career WHL games and also acted as the Raiders’ captain in 2006-07.
2012-13 Mallards season tickets as well as the Mallards’ new Partial Punch Plan are on sale now. The Mallards offer ticket packages to meet any budget, including youth season tickets now available for as little at $165. The Partial Punch Plan provides flexibility and affordability- each Punch Plan punch card can be redeemed for ten tickets- whether those tickets are for ten different games, all for the same game or anything in between- subject to availability. Partial Punch Plans can be had for as little as $70 for youth 12 and under. For more ticket package information, fans can call the Mallards at 309-277-1364.
