MOLINE, Ill. (November 15, 2013) - The Quad City Mallards today announced goaltender Thomas Heemskerk has been signed to a professional tryout agreement by the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League. The Mallards also announced they have signed goaltender Casey Sherwood.
In three games with the Mallards this season Heemskirk has gone 2-0-0 with a 2.92 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. The 23-year old Chilliwack, British Columbia, native has stopped 59 of the 62 shots he has faced while winning each of his last two starts.
The 6' 0", 200-pound, Heemskerk went 14-17-3 with a 3.10 goals against average and a .906 save percentage in 38 games with the ECHL's San Francisco Bulls last season. Heemskirk also played in a pair of games for the Worcester Sharks of the AHL last year. Heemskerk gave up just two goals while making 27 saves to post a 1.79 goals against average and a .931 save percentage during that AHL stint.
Heemskerk began his professional career in 2011-12 with the ECHL's Stockton Thunder, for whom he turned in a record of 13-12-0 along with a 3.27 goals against average and a .893 save percentage in 25 games. He also saw AHL action for Worcester as a rookie, taking the ice in four games and registering a 2.14 goals against average and a .921 save percentage.
Heemskerk turned pro after four years in the major junior Western Hockey League. In his final WHL campaign, he finished second in the league in minutes (3,841), third in saves (2041) and fifth in wins (36) while recording a 2.94 goals against average, a .908 save percentage and a pair of shutouts in 65 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors.
The 2010-11 season was the second straight campaign during which Heemskerk landed among the league leaders. In 2009-10, while tending goal for the Everett Silvertips, he topped the Western League in save percentage (.927), finished third in goals against average (2.34) and was tied for seventh in shutouts (4) while going 24-12-4 in 42 games. Heemskerk's efforts helped the Silvertips earn a share of the United States Division title. Heemskerk joined Everett midway through the 2008-09 season after spending his first year and a half in the WHL with the Kootenay Ice.
Sherwood, a 28-year old product of Littleton, Colorado, has joined the Mallards in Denver where the Flock will meet the Denver Cutthroats tonight and tomorrow night. Sherwood is set to suit up for the Mallards against Denver after last week serving as the Cutthroats' back-up goaltender for a pair of games- both on by the Mallards- in the Quad Cities. Sherwood was waived by the Cutthroats Wednesday when Kieran Millen returned to Denver after a call-up to the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters.
Last season Sherwood had stints as a short-term back-up for both the Cutthroats and the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL without seeing any game action. He also briefly donned the Grizzlies' colors without getting into a game in 2011-12.
The Mallards next play at home on Friday, November 29 at 7:05 p.m. against the St. Charles Chill. November 29 is also a $1 Dog/$1 Beer Friday presented by 97X. Fans can purchase hot dogs and beer for $1 at iWireless Center concession stands during all Friday night home games.
Tickets for the November 29 game and all other Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000. The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.
About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are approaching their seventeenth season and their fourth in the Central Hockey League. One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10. The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record. In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched. The i wireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club. For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.com. Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards
