Phil Axtell has been promoted. Thursday the Quad City Mallards announced he'll return as full-time head coach for next season.
Axtell became the interim coach in January after the firing of Terry Ruskowski, and was named head coach in February for the remainder of the season.
And since taking over the Mallards, he compiled a record of 21 wins and 12 losses in regular season games, plus the team advanced to the playoffs only to be eliminated in the first round.
He was promoted following 2 1/2 years of working as assistant coach.
