Quad City Mallards bring former Rough Rider back to Eastern Iowa

From QC News.com:

The Quad-City Mallards have announced the signing of seven players, including goaltender Sebastian LaPlante, a veteran of 249 games and 123 wins between the pipes.

Also in the group is forward Chris Lipsett, a 14th-year professional who has averaged more than 23 goals per year and who played two seasons for Mallards coach Frank Anzalone in the ECHL a decade ago.

Two more forwards, second-year pro Mike Lombardi and rookie Mike Maier, are among the first class of Anzalone recruits, as are veteran defensemen Jason Goulet and Darren McMillan and rookie blueliner Shane Lovdahl.

"I think the key to this whole group is I have chosen not to mass-recruit," Anzalone said. "I have cross-referenced players into oblivion, and in addition to them hopefully being good players, hopefully they are good people and team men. That's what we're trying to do and that's why it has been slow."

Anzalone said the initial group has committed to the Quad-Cities, with Lipsett having already enrolled his daughter in school. LaPlante stepped up to help in the recruitment of McMillan.

"He is ecstatic about coming to the Quad-Cities," the coach said of the goalie.

LaPlante, 28, could be challenged by another verbally committed netminder, but Anzalone said, "He still has a lot of hockey left in his tank and is considered a guy who might be a franchise goalie."

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Goulet, meanwhile, could fill a key role as well.

"He is a stopper defenseman who is tough and can handle the gritty part of the game," said the coach. "I was fortunate to get him."

Anzalone said another five contracts are pending, including one agreement reached Wednesday with a "really good centerman.

"I'm happy with the way it's going," the coach said. "It's slow but I think it's better that way."

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It's awesome to hear that former Rough Rider bad-boy Shane Lovdahl will be returning to Eastern Iowa to play with the Mallards. He was always a pretty solid defenseman and it's great to see him continuing with hockey beyond his college years. Hopefully he'll make his way up to Cedar Rapids for a few games to sign some autographs and take some pictures with the local kids who hope to someday be in his shoes. He was always one of those players that gave 100% effort on the ice and that definitely counts for something in my book. Having heart and passion for the game truly is what matters the most.