Rum River Mallards

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Rum River Mallards
Rum River Mallards logo.png
CityIsanti, Minnesota
LeagueUnited States Premier Hockey League
DivisionMidwest West
Founded2018
Home arenaIsanti Ice Arena
Owner(s)Eddy Wilkinson
Head coachDave Fromm, Jamie R. Aller
Franchise history
2014–2018Ironwood Fighting Yoopers
2018–presentRum River Mallards

The Rum River Mallards are a junior ice hockey team based in Isanti, Minnesota. The Mallards compete in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) Premier Division. The team plays its home games at Isanti Ice Arena.

History[]

Formed in the summer of 2018, the Rum River Mallards joined the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) Premier Division as a member of the Midwest-West Division. The team was initially led by team president Glen Lucken and Brad Zangs as its first head coach and general manager.[1] A group of investors, including Zangs, purchased the Ironwood Fighting Yoopers who were established in 2014 competing in the Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL) one season before joining the USPHL from 2016 to 2018. Rum River earned their first victory on September 28, 2018, defeating the host Hudson Havoc 6–4.[2] After 17 games played, the team was sold to local businessman Eddy Wilkinson who hired new head coach, Jimmy Jensen.[3]

The Mallards' inaugural season ended with 51 points, one point back of the Minnesota Blue Ox, despite two regular season games being cancelled. Unable to reschedule those games before the playoffs, the Blue Ox hosted the best-of-three series as the higher seed. The Mallards defeated the Blue Ox in the second game 11–6 before being eliminated the following night.[4][5]

After a good start to their second season, Jimmy Jensen stepped away from the bench for family reasons.[6] He was replaced in early December by Triston Jensen, a former goaltender who played in both the MnJHL and USPHL.[7] Triston played collegiate hockey at the ACHA level with Saginaw Valley State University. Rum River ended the 2019–20 season as the fifth seed with another playoff matchup against the Blue Ox.[8] After winning the first game, the Minnesota Blue Ox responded by winning the final two games to advance in the division playoffs.[9]

Season-by-season[]

Season GP W L OTL Pts GF GA Finish Playoffs
2018–19 42 25 16 1 51 170 108 5th of 9, Midwest-West
23rd of 52, USPHL-Premier		 Lost First Round series, 1–2 vs. Minnesota Blue Ox
2019–20 44 26 17 1 53 207 154 5th of 9, Midwest-West
20th of 52, USPHL-Premier		 Lost First Round series, 1–2 vs. Minnesota Blue Ox
2019–20 44 9 33 2 20 123 222 7th of 9, Midwest-West
52nd of 62, USPHL-Premier		 Lost First Round series, 0–2 vs. Minnesota Moose

References[]

  1. ^ "Local graduates sign with Rum River Mallards". Isanti County News. July 20, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ "Rum River Mallards vs Hudson Havoc". USPH L. September 28, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "Rum River Mallards under new management". Isanti County News. November 27, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "Rum River Mallards vs Minnesota Blue Ox". USPHL. February 24, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "Rum River Mallards' season comes to a close". Isanti County News. February 27, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ "Mallards excel in Showcase at Fogerty". Isanti County News. October 31, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "Triston Jensen named new Mallards bench boss". Isanti County News. January 9, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "Rum River Mallards taking off as playoffs approach". Isanti County News. February 21, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ "Mallards, Charland take Game 1 vs Blue Ox". Ludwig Media. February 28, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

External links[]

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