Steelheads Find Their Voice

The Idaho Steelheads today announced that Michigan native Doug Plagens will become the fifth play-by-play voice of the ECHL hockey team. He replaces Joe O?Donnell, who took a position broadcasting for the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League.Plagens, a graduate of Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL, earned a Masters in Broadcast Journalism from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. He has radio and TV play-by-play experience in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch, and worked as a pre-game and post-game radio host for the team. He?s also called baseball action for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs. While at Lake Forest, Plagens was Sports Director and did hockey and football play-by-play for the campus radio and TV stations, and covered sports and was a columnist for the school paper. He?s also worked for the Detroit Tigers and was an intern for Major League Baseball at the 2005 All-Star Game in Detroit.?I?m excited to get to Boise and continue the outstanding tradition of broadcasters that have worked for the Idaho Steelheads,? Plagens said. ?I?ve heard nothing but great things about Boise and I?m looking forward to getting to know the area and meeting the fans.??Doug is going to be a good fit for this organization,? Steelheads President Eric Trapp said. ?His enthusiasm, love of the game and professional attitude really stood out. I think our fans will enjoy hearing Doug call our games in the upcoming season.?Besides his radio duties, Plagens will provide the play-by-play for Steelhead broadcasts on Cable One and host the Bud Light Idaho Steelheads Hockey Show on the team?s flagship station, 1350 KTIK The Ticket.KTIK?s Program Director Andrew Paul said, ?KTIK is excited to be the radio home of the Idaho Steelheads again this season. The passion and enthusiasm for Steelheads hockey is quite evident in this community and we are proud to be associated with such a first-class organization.? The Steelheads open their season at home on Saturday, Oct. 18. A variety of Season Ticket Plans for the 2008-09 season, with reduced pricing in some sections, are now available by calling (208) 383.0080 or visiting the team?s website at www.idahosteelheads.com. The Idaho Steelheads are the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League?s Dallas Stars.- www.idahosteelheads.com -