Steelheads Net Dan Welch

The Idaho Steelheads Hockey Club announced today that forward Dan Welch has been signed to an ECHL contract and will join the team by Saturday. Welch, who had been selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft (round 8 #245 overall), had most recently played for a team in the Danish League. The ECHL deadline to sign players who had been under contract with a European team is Feb. 2.Steelheads head coach Derek Laxdal said, ?Obviously a player with Dan?s talents are hard to find this time of year, so he?ll be a great addition to our roster. With our recent call ups and injuries, he?ll add to our depth as we move down the stretch.?The 28-year-old was a member of Team USA in 1999, and played at the University of Minnesota as well as the United States Hockey League?s Omaha Lancers through the early 2000?s. His professional career began with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, where he played from 2002-05. The Hastings, Minn.-born winger also played 11 games with the ECHL?s Reading Royals during the 2004-05 season where he had 15 points (8g-7). He played in England and France before returning to North American hockey in 2007-08 when he signed on with the ECHL?s Texas Wildcatters. There, he had 62 points (21g-41a) in 64 games.Of note: Dan is a cousin of Steelheads defenseman Adam Welch.The Steelheads return home to Qwest Arena on Friday, Feb. 13. Tickets are available by visiting idahosteelheads.com and using the print at home feature, calling (208) 331-TIXS or by visiting the box office at Qwest Arena.- www.idahosteelheads.com -