Boise, ID (8/15/18) – Steelheads Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced on Wednesday that the Idaho Steelheads have agreed to terms with rookie forward Dexter Dancs on an ECHL contract for the 2018-19 season.
Dancs, 23, is coming off a four-year college career at the University of Michigan. The North Vancouver, BC native had his best statistical season in 2017-18, setting personal bests in goals, assists, points, and plus/minus rating while helping to lead the Wolverines to their first Frozen Four appearance since 2011.
“Dexter is a big winger who plays a fast north-south game,” said Graham. “We expect him to make an immediate impact in our lineup and to be an exciting player to watch.”
The 6-foot-2 forward netted 12 goals and 28 points in 39 games last season, both ranked fourth on the team, and his plus-14 rating also ranked fourth. Dancs posted eight multi-point performances in his senior season. He collected three goals and five points in three NCAA tournament games, including a goal and an assist in the national semifinal against Notre Dame.
In 141 career NCAA games, Dancs totaled 23 goals, 67 points, and 131 penalty minutes.
“I’ve heard nothing but good things about the organization, the coaching staff, and the city of Boise,” said Dancs. “I’m thrilled to start my pro career here.”
With the Wolverines, Dancs won a Big Ten Championship in 2016 and was twice named to the Big Ten’s All-Academic Team.
Dancs played parts of three junior seasons in the BCHL prior to attending Michigan, appearing in 119 games for the Penticton Vees and Vernon Vipers and tallying 32 goals and 89 points from 2011 to 2014.
Dancs is the third rookie signed out of NCAA by the Steelheads this season, joining defenseman Brady Norrish out of the Rochester Institute of Technology and forward Tanner Froese from Division III St. Norbert.
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