The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have reached a minor league affiliation agreement with the Quad City Mallards of the International Hockey League (IHL) for the 2009-10 season, according to club General Manager Paul Holmgren.
 
"The Mallards are an exceptional organization and we look forward to working closely with them in helping them develop a competitive team," said Comcast-Spectacor President Peter A. Luukko.
 
“The Flyers are pleased to add Quad City as one of our affiliates,” said Holmgren. “The Mallards have a great tradition of success in their market on and off the ice, and we look forward to a great working relationship.”
 
The Mallards join the Adirondack Phantoms, the Flyers’ primary affiliate of the American Hockey League, and the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL, as the Flyers’ minor league affiliates. Terms of the affiliation agreement allow the Flyers to assign a limited number of players to the Mallards’ roster at any time during the 2009-10 season.
 
“On behalf of all of the stakeholders in the Quad City Mallards success – the fans, the sponsors the cities of Bettendorf, Moline, East Moline, Davenport and Rock Island as well as the administration at the i wireless center and of course the entire Mallards organization, we are very proud to announce this relationship,” said QCHT, LLC Managing Member Christopher Lencheski. “To align with the great traditions both on and off the ice that the Philadelphia Flyers have established is an honor for every Mallards fan. Tough, physical hockey is the backbone of the Flyers tradition and it serves us well to emulate their style of play as we hope to emulate their successes.”