September 8, 2009

Desrochers' Destination: Quad City

The Quad City Mallards, proud International Hockey League (IHL) affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, today announced the signing of former Clarkson forward Jean Desrochers for the 2009-10 season. Per Mallards team policy no contract terms were announced.

Desrochers, 29, comes to the Quad Cities for a second stint under the tutelage of Mallards Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Frank Anzalone, for whom he played in 2005-06 and 2006-07 as a member of the ECHL’s Johnstown Chiefs.

"Jean is a top line center man who should be an offensive leader for our team. He is a great team man who is accountable at both ends of the ice,” said Anzalone. “I coached Jean in Johnstown for two seasons and I'm excited about having him with us from the start."

After skating for Johnstown for the bulk of his first four pro seasons, Desrochers competed in Italy last year. The Dalhousie, Quebec, native scored nine times and registered 20 points in 36 games with Fassa HC in 2008-09.

The 6’ 2”, 225-pound center made three trips to the American Hockey League- two with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and one with the Springfield Falcons- in four seasons before crossing the pond last year. In 2007-08 he enjoyed his most productive season, scoring 25 goals and notching 53 points in 62 ECHL games with the Chiefs.

Desrochers played college hockey at Clarkson, totaling 16 goals and 44 points over four seasons as a Golden Knight. He joins fellow Clarkson alumnus Chris Lipsett on the Mallard roster.