Transactions Alert: 3/18/08

The Idaho Steelheads today announced that Aaron Gagnon has been returned from the Iowa Stars of the American Hockey League, Michigan Tech?s leading scorer Peter Rouleau has signed on with the team and Greg Rallo has been loaned to the AHL?s Manitoba Moose.The 21-year-old rookie Gagnon, on a two-way National Hockey League/American Hockey League contract with Idaho?s affiliates the Dallas Stars and the Iowa Stars, began the season in both teams? training camps. He was assigned to Idaho from Iowa on Oct. 15 and made his professional debut during the Steelheads? 2007-08 home opener on Oct. 19. The following night he netted a shorthanded goal, the first marker of his professional career, and added an assist in a 4-2 win vs. Victoria. He notched a goal in each of his four subsequent games before being placed on the 3-day injured reserve list. Once activated, he played one game with the Steelheads and scored the game-winning goal, the first of his career, in a 5-1 win vs. Victoria. He was recalled to Iowa the next day (Nov. 24) where he has dressed for 25 games and registered one assist and eight penalty minutes. Gagnon, 5-11 and 190-pounds, was selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in round 8 (#240 overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.Rouleau, 25, earned the Gary Crosby Award as the Huskies? leading scorer with seven goals and 23 assists in 40 games this season. The senior was also named the Elov Seger Memorial Award winner as the team?s most improved player. In three seasons and 95 games at Michigan Tech, the 5-7, 165-pound center, tallied 19 goals, 42 assists for 61 points and 79 penalty minutes.Rallo, 6-0 and195-pounds, was returned to Idaho yesterday from Rockford of the AHL and was immediately loaned to the AHL?s Manitoba Moose. This marks the third call up this year for the two-time ECHL All-Star center. The AHL?s Albany River Rats signed him to a PTO on Dec. 16, 2007. He returned from Albany on Feb. 17 having dressed for five games with no points. The 26-year-old was called up to Rockford of the AHL on Mar. 1 and appeared in one game with no points and was returned to Idaho on Mar. 5. He was recalled to Rockford on Mar. 8.With Idaho this year, Rallo has played in 39 games and tallied 36 points (17g-19a). On Jan. 23, 2008 he appeared in his second consecutive ECHL All-Star Game and recorded five points (1g-4a) to help lead the National Conference to a 10-7 win. Rallo was an instrumental player in the Steelheads 2007 Kelly Cup Championship scoring three game-winning goals in the final round over Dayton and netting his first career hat trick in a 5-2 win in Game Two of the Kelly Cup Finals.The Steelheads kick off a three-game homestand on Wednesday and only have five regular season games left. To purchase game tickets, visit idahosteelheads.com and use the print at home feature, or call (208) 331-TIXS or visit the box office at Qwest Arena.- www.idahosteelheads.com -