Mallards Sign Defensemen DeGagne, Bailer
MOLINE, Ill. (September 5, 2012) – The Quad City Mallards of the “AA” Central Hockey League today announced they have signed defensemen
Dustin DeGagne and
Chris Bailer. Per club policy, no contract terms were announced.
DeGagne, who turned 27 today, started last season in the Netherlands with the Turnhout White Caps before returning to North America in January with the CHL’s Dayton Gems. The Winnipeg native scored four times and totaled 15 points in 16 games with the White Caps and picked up a pair of assists in 25 games for the Gems.
“Dustin has played well for both Dayton and Bloomington over the last two seasons,” said Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski. “He’s shown he knows what it takes to compete in the CHL, so he could be a very good asset for our defense corps.”
The 6’ 0”, 195-pound DeGagne is making his return to the Quad Cities after first skating for the Mallards in the 2010 preseason. DeGagne spent the 2010-11 regular season- his rookie campaign- with Bloomington, scoring a pair of goals and producing nine points in 55 games with the PrairieThunder.
DeGagne played three seasons of college hockey at St. Scholastica after transferring from Union College following his freshman year. In 2008-09, DeGagne helped the Saints reach the NCAA Division III tournament for the first time in school history. He scored four goals and recorded 26 points in 70 career games at St. Scholastica.
Bailer, a 24-year old rookie, joins the Mallards after spending the last four seasons at Sacred Heart University. The 6’ 2”, 200-pound Wetaskiwin, Alberta, native picked up one assist in 30 games with the Pioneers last season. Bailer, who skated in a total of 99 games over the course of his Sacred Heart career, was a four-time Atlantic Hockey Association All-Academic team selection.
“Chris is a guy who has good size and isn’t afraid to get in there and do the dirty work, whether that means taking the body, blocking shots or whatever else the team needs,” said Ruskowski. "After a solid college career he's looking forward to making the most of the opportunity to play professionally."