| The Eden Prairie Mallrats are an international street hockey team and a proud member club of the VASHL.
Their franchise has undergone multiple name changes, evolving from The Laffs (2010) to Red State Raiders (2011) and later Hit Somebody! Hitmen (2012) before officially settling on their current identity in late 2012. The team theme and imagery are largely based on the 1995 film, Mallrats, written and directed by Kevin Smith. Mallrats was filmed inside the Eden Prairie Center Mall in Minnesota. Smith decided to film the movie at this mall (which in the movie, is referred to by its actual name, but is supposed to be located in New Jersey) after various malls (including the Monmouth Mall in Eatontown, New Jersey, and the now-closed Bannister Mall in Kansas City, Missouri) objected to content in the film, and refused to allow the production to be shot there. The Eden Prairie Mallrats wear the colors of the former Minnesota North Stars to pay homage to this fact. They are also one of a few VASHL franchises that have participated in the Walter Gretzky Street Hockey Tournament, as well as the September Classic. Contents |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2
2
0Players
2025 WGSHT Roster
| # | Nat | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 4 |  |
Michael Lowery |
| 7 | |
Jeff Mader |
| 11 | |
Andrew Lewkowicz |
| 12 | |
Jordan King (A) |
| 17 | |
Adam Smith |
| 23 | |
Cole Rudnicki |
| 25 | |
Dave Mader (C) |
| 55 | |
Alex Brown |
| 69 | |
Luca Sisti |
| 83 | |
Russell Collins |
| 92 | |
Ryan Cassista |
| 420 |  |
Benny Graves (Goalie) |
Team Captains
- Dave Mader, 2017-present
- Jeff Mader, 2015-2016
- Dave Mader, 2013-2014
- Darryl Clarke and Dave Mader, 2012 (Hit Somebody! Hitmen)
- Darryl Clarke and Gavin ap’Morrygan, 2011 (Red State Raiders)
- Angela Robson, 2010 (The Laffs)
WGSHT Team MVPs
| YEAR | PLAYER |
| 2025 | Dave Mader |
| 2024 | Russell Collins |
| 2023 | Jordan King |
| 2022 | Benny Graves |
| 2019 | Tristan Blackmore |
| 2018 | Steve Wilson |
| 2017 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2014 | Mike Caputo and Steve Wilson |
Photos
Red State Raiders in 2011
Team Logos
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||
| The Laffs Logo 2010 |
Red State Raiders Logo 2011 |
Hit Somebody! Hitmen Logo 2012 |
Main Team Logo 2013-2014 “Willam Rat” |
||||
 |
 |
 |
|||||
| Main Team Logo 2015-present “Brodie Rat” |
Shoulder Patch 2015-2018 |
Shoulder Patch 2019-present |
Games
WGSHT Record
| YEAR | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | PLACE |
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 28 | 8th |
| 2024 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 20 | 6th |
| 2023 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 26 | 5th |
| 2022 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 22 | 8th |
| 2019 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 30 | 2nd |
| 2018 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 13 | 4th |
| 2017 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 13 | 6th |
| 2016 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 13 | 6th |
| 2015 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 13 | 6th |
| 2014 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 8 | 1st |
| 2013 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 11 | 1st |
| 2012 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 2nd |
| 2011 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 30 | 5th |
| 2010 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 18 | N/A* |
| Total | 61 | 31 | 27 | 2 | 1 | 256 | 244 |
*Pre-VASHL
September Classic Record
| YEAR | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | PLACE |
| 2019 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 4th |
| 2018 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 27 | 5th |
| 2017 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 30 | 3rd |
| 2016 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 29 | 4th |
| Total | 16 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 100 |
Team History
If ever a team had an identity crisis, it’s the Eden Prairie Mallrats! What began as a dream turned into one of the most enduring franchises in VASHL history.
Humble Beginnings: The Laffs (2010)
Following the formation of VASHL in 2009, many Kevin Smith fans longed to be part of it—but they weren’t on the View Askew message boards, hadn’t played poker at The Stash, and had no insider connections.
In 2010, a small group of determined players from Southern Ontario refused to let that hold them back. With no room on official VASHL teams, they found each other on Twitter and competed in the tournament’s recreation division as The Laffs, led by Dave Mader, Gillian Frederick, Jeff Mader, and Angela Robson.
Wearing mismatched red, yellow, and black ice hockey sweaters with a demented cyborg cat crest, they finished 0-2-1. But despite the rough start, they got their first taste of View Askew hockey culture—meeting incredible people and having a blast with many members of the VASHL.
The Red State Raiders (2011)
Determined to be official VASHL players, many Laffs members joined forces with veteran players, recruited by legendary VASHL Commissioner Darryl Clarke. Under his guidance, they formed the Red State Raiders, honoring Kevin Smith’s upcoming film.
That same year, the Raiders bolstered their roster by adding key players like Ryan Vedone, Gerry McRae, and Jim Edelston, further strengthening the foundation of the team as they prepared to make their mark in VASHL history.
Wearing red and white jerseys with stylized euro-trash advertisements, the team, co-captained by Clarke and Gavin ap’Morrygan, fought hard, finishing 1-3 in round-robin play. They had officially popped their cherry—no longer outsiders, but true VASHL competitors.
Hit Somebody! Hitmen (2012)
With Clarke’s visionary leadership, the franchise rebranded once again, becoming Hit Somebody! Hitmen, inspired by a Kevin Smith movie that was never made (but could still one day be a miniseries). Now wearing red, white, and black, Clarke appointed Dave Mader—one of the original Laffs—as his co-captain.
That year, the Hitmen finished 1-2 in round-robin play, but for the first time, they advanced to the tournament playoffs, securing a semifinal shootout victory against the View Askew Vulgarians with a magical goal by ap’Morrygan after 10 grueling rounds of the shootout. This dramatic moment kicked off a long-standing rivalry between the two teams, setting the stage for years of competition. Though the Hitmen ultimately fell 4-3 in the final against the Leonardo Reapers, their performance cemented them as a serious contender in VASHL, proving they had the resilience and skill to compete at the highest level.
The Mallrats Identity (2012-Present)
Following the 2012 tournament, Darryl Clarke passed the Mallrats’ captaincy to Dave Mader, who rebranded the team yet again—this time as the Eden Prairie Mallrats, a tribute to Kevin Smith’s 1995 film Mallrats and the Eden Prairie Center Mall in Minnesota, where the movie was filmed.
The Mallrats proudly wear green, yellow, white, and black, a bold color scheme that pays homage to the former Minnesota North Stars while reinforcing their deep connection to Mallrats. As a clever Easter egg, the team features a sailboat shoulder patch, referencing Willam Black’s struggle to spot the hidden sailboat in an autostereogram—a nod that perfectly encapsulates the humor and nostalgia of the film. This distinctive color palette and subtle pop-culture tribute make the Mallrats one of VASHL’s most uniquely themed and visually striking teams.
In 2013, the Mallrats strengthened their roster with key additions, including Sean McKenna, Andrew Lewkowicz, Mike Caputo, and Steve Wilson in goal, further bolstering their competitive presence. They soon found their stride, winning back-to-back Walter Gretzky Cup championships in 2013 and 2014, cementing their legacy as one of VASHL’s most successful franchises.
In 2014, Jody Simpson and Stirling Bennett (at the time of the LA Mings) ignited one of VASHL’s most infamous traditions when they started the chant “Fuck the Mallrats”—a rallying cry that has endured for over a decade. Originally born out of fierce competition, the chant quickly took on a life of its own, becoming a staple at tournaments regardless of the Mallrats’ standing in the league. Even in seasons when the Mallrats weren’t competitive, the chant persisted, fueled by a mix of nostalgia, rivalry, and sheer commitment to tradition. Whether shouted in jest or with genuine intensity, “Fuck the Mallrats” remains one of VASHL’s most recognizable and enduring chants, proving that some rivalries never fade.
Following the 2014 tournament, Dave Mader passed the captaincy to his brother, Jeff Mader, who led the team until 2017, when Jeff left to begin an expansion franchise—the Moose Jaws. The Mallrats returned to their original captain, Dave Mader, ensuring the legacy remained strong.
In 2016, the Eden Prairie Mallrats welcomed a game-changing addition in the form of Benny Graves, their new goalie. Hailing from Yorkshire, UK, Benny’s path to VASHL was anything but expected—street hockey wasn’t necessarily a staple of British sports culture, but after discovering VASHL through Kevin Smith’s podcasts and the league’s website, Benny knew he wanted to be part of the action. He moved to Canada from 2016 to 2018, becoming an integral part of the Mallrats, before returning to England. Despite the distance, Benny remained dedicated to the team, making the journey back every year to play in goal, sporting his iconic Mallrats-painted mask, a symbol of his commitment and passion for the franchise.
In 2018, the Mallrats gained another impact player with the arrival of Jordan King, who quickly became a key figure for the team. A year later, in 2019, Russell Collins joined the ranks, solidifying himself as an essential part of the team’s evolution. Together, King and Collins became major pillars of the Mallrats, helping shape their competitive presence and team culture moving forward.
In 2019, the Eden Prairie Mallrats battled their way to the Walter Gretzky Cup final, facing off against the Yoga Hosers in a dramatic championship showdown. As the game unfolded, torrential rain poured down, turning the rink into a soaked battleground. Despite the relentless downpour, both teams pressed on, refusing to let the weather dictate the outcome. The Mallrats fought hard, but the Hosers capitalized on key opportunities, securing a 5-3 victory to claim their first championship. The rain-soaked final became one of the most memorable moments in VASHL history, a testament to the grit and determination of both squads.
Following the pandemic, the Mallrats continued to strengthen their roster, with Michael Lowery joining the squad, further reinforcing their depth and stability as they entered a new era of competition. Also, after stepping away to lead the Moose Jaws expansion franchise, Jeff Mader made his return to the Mallrats in 2022, rejoining the team while Dave Mader remained captain. His return brought an experienced presence back to the Eden Prairie Mallrats, reinforcing their legacy and competitive strength as they continue to evolve in the VASHL.
Thanks to King’s strong network of friends, the Mallrats ushered in an exciting new generation of players by 2023, adding Luca Sisti, Ryan Cassista, Brady Kemp, Alex Brown, and Cole Rudnicki to the team. Their chemistry, enthusiasm, and dedication infused the squad with fresh energy, making them a tight-knit crew both on and off the rink. Their bond was so strong that by 2025, this new core of Mallrats collectively won the Suzanne Award—VASHL’s ultimate party honor, recognizing their good nature, love of fun, and camaraderie. This moment marked the official arrival of a new generation, proving that while the Mallrats have evolved, their team spirit and unmistakable legacy remain stronger than ever.
WGSHT Player Appearances with Eden Prairie Mallrats
| Rank | Player | GP |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Dave Mader | 60 |
| 2 | Jeff Mader | 45 |
| 3 | Gerry McRae | 42 |
| 4 | Andrew Lewkowicz | 42 |
| 5 |  Gillian Frederick | 38 |
| 6 | Mike Caputo | 35 |
| 7 | Sean McKenna | 33 |
| 8 | Ryan Verdone | 31 |
| 9 | Jordan King | 28 |
| 10 | Steve Wilson | 25 |
| 11 |  Benny Graves | 24 |
| 12 | Russell Collins | 22 |
| 13 |  Jim Edelston | 13 |
| 14 | Joey Schell | 12 |
| 15 | Cole Rudnicki | 12 |
| 16 | Mike Schell | 12 |
| 17 | Luca Sisti | 12 |
| 18 | Ryan Cassista | 12 |
| 19 | Court Weaver | 11 |
| 20 |  Michael Lowery | 8 |
| 21 | Adam Smith | 8 |
| 22 | Linda Madden-Loveday | 8 |
| 23 | Ashley Bourguignon | 8 |
| 24 | Alex Brown | 8 |
| 25 | Brad Loveday | 8 |
| 26 | Josh Foster | 6 |
| 27 | Josh Rich | 6 |
| 28 | Tristan Blackmore | 6 |
| 29 | Steve Kertesz | 5 |
| 30 | Kyle Richardson | 5 |
| 31 | Niall Hynes | 4 |
| 32 | Brady Kemp | 4 |
| 33 | Andrew Flatt | 2 |
