January 15, 2010
Sioux Falls Stampede fans have watched some of the most talented junior hockey players perform on arena ice for the last 11 seasons. The organization and fans are proud to see all those players move onto the next level of collegiate hockey or even the NHL.
But when you attend Stampede games, you're not just seeing the future stars of hockey today, but possibly a future American Idol. Wednesday night on the hit Fox-TV show, American Idol, Mallorie Haley, who has been a regular Stampede national anthem singer, wowed a national audience with her performance of Janis Joplin's 'Piece of my Heart.' The 20-year-old impressed the judges so much that she received a golden ticket and has advanced to Hollywood for the show.
A native of Winner, SD, Haley has performed the national anthem at Stampede games frequently during the club's 11-year history. "The entire Stampede Hockey family is so proud of Mallorie," said Stampede President Jim Loria. "She has performed the National Anthem more than anyone else in our first 11 years of play in the USHL and her brilliance was obvious even at such a very young age. You always knew she had a talent far beyond her years and it was only a matter of time before the doors in the music industry opened for her. No question, American Idol will give Mallorie a great platform to show off her talents to the country."
Click here to watch Mallorie's audition
Click here to watch her interview with American Idol.
She was one of 25 people to advance in the show. While the judges make the early cuts, TV viewers across the nation pick the final winner by phone votes later in the season, with a finale in May. Past winners and contestants have gone on to successful performing and recording careers.
