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COLDWELL REJOINS MALLARDS

By: Mallards Communications Staff
Photos: Sean Flynn Photography/Quad City Mallards; Trinity Western University

The Quad City Mallards have re-signed defenseman Austin Coldwell and have also signed forward Cody Fidgett, the Mallards announced today.  

Coldwell, 25, scored twice and added five assists in 12 regular season games after joining the Mallards from the University of Alaska-Anchorage in March.  The 6’ 0”, 189-pound Vancouver, Washington, native also picked up a pair of assists in seven playoff games.

“Austin made a really smooth transition last season.  With that experience we’re looking for him to come in and do an even better job for us this year,” said Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski.  “He’s a player who takes care of business in his own end and is also really good with the puck.  He can speed up the play or slow the play down and do a lot for us offensively.”
 
Coldwell scored four goals and notched eight assists to total 12 points in 34 games with UAA last year.  He produced 14 goals, 36 assists and 50 points in 132 career games for the Seawolves and was named to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association All-Academic Team each of the last three years.  In 2013-14 he helped UAA to the program’s first winning season since the Seawolves entered the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in 1993.

Coldwell spent four years in the junior ranks before heading to Anchorage.  He skated with the Bismarck Bobcats and Springfield Jr. Blues of the North American Hockey League before joining United States Hockey League’s Des Moines Buccaneers for a two year stint.
 
Fidgett, 24, last season was named to the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League First All-Star Team after he led the BCIHL in goals (25) and power play goals (8), finished second in points (41) and finished tied for seventh in assists (7) while propelling Trinity Western University to a first place finish.  Fidgett piled up those impressive offensive totals in just 23 games.
 
“Fidgett could be a real dark horse for us.  He’s never played in the highest caliber leagues but he’s always been the dominant player in the leagues he’s played in,” said Ruskowski.  “What turned me on to him was when he played in a couple of exhibition games last year against St. Cloud State and Minnesota State and one of the opposing coaches said, ‘Where did that kid come from? Why didn’t we get him?’  He’s not big but he’s fast and explosive and can drive to the net.  He’s unproven based on where he’s played but he could be a diamond in the rough.”

Fidgett shined for Trinity Western last season after transferring from Selkirk College, where he played the prior two years and won back-to-back BCIHL titles.  The 5’ 11”, 190 pound product of Richmond, British Columbia, earned his first league-wide individual honor when he was voted to the 2013-14 BCIHL Second All-Star Team after finishing tied for second in the league in goals (22) and tied for fourth in points (37).

Fidgett embarked upon his university career after four seasons with the Delta Ice Hawks of the Pacific Junior Hockey League.  He closed out his junior career by helping the Ice Hawks to the 2011-12 PJHL championship.
                           
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.



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