McKnight, Tardy agree to terms for 2009-2010

(Boise, ID) - Forward Matt McKnight and defenseman Weston Tardy have agreed to terms with the ECHL?s Idaho Steelheads for the 2009-2010 season. McKnight, 25, played in 62 games with Idaho last season after being acquired from the Las Vegas Wranglers in November. He tallied 33 points with the Steelheads including ten goals. Two of those goals came in back-to-back games against his former team in February and he also had a six-game point streak from January 23 to February 9. ?We?re looking for Matt to build on last season, offensively and leadership-wise, to become a better all-around player,? Steelheads head coach Derek Laxdal said of the University of Minnesota-Duluth product. ?I?ve really enjoyed my time in Boise,? McKnight said. ?But, after the way the playoffs ended last season (a first-round loss to Victoria), I feel like there?s a bit of unfinished business.? Laxdal also announced the addition of Tardy, a 5-foot-11 defenseman from Duluth, MN. Tardy played collegiately at Colorado College, where he was a teammate of former Steelheads goaltender Matt Zaba, before making his professional debut with the ECHL?s Augusta Lynx in 2006-07. He has spent the past two seasons competing for the Nybro Vikings in Sweden. One of the major selling points for Tardy was Boise?s setting. The 25-year-old is an avid outdoorsman who is a fly-fishing guide when he?s not playing hockey. Season-ticket packages for the 2009-2010 season are available now, starting as low as $450 per seat for all 36 home games. Partial-season ticket packages are available for as little as $150. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or visit www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.