Laxdal adds pair of defensemen to roster

(Boise, ID) ? Idaho Steelheads head coach Derek Laxdal has added two more players to his training camp roster, announcing that defensemen Alan Tallarini and Tyrell Mason have agreed to terms for the 2009-2010 season. Tallarini will be coming to Idaho from Faido, Switzerland. The 25-year-old has played in the Swiss A and B leagues since turning pro in 2002-2003. He has scored four goals from the blue line, all in the past three seasons. ?He?s taking a big step in his career to come over here,? Laxdal said of Tallarini?s decision to play North American hockey. Mason, 23, will be making his professional debut this season. He was selected in the 6th round of the 2005 NHL draft by the New York Islanders. Instead of signing a professional contract, he attended Clarkson University. In his collegiate career, Mason had three goals and 26 assists and participated in the NCAA hockey national tournament in 2007 and 2008. He was a college teammate of former Steelhead forward Mike Sullivan. ?Tyrell is a smooth-skating defenseman,? Laxdal said. ?He?ll bring some offense to our hockey club from the back end.? Mason and Tallarini join the following players who have previously agreed to terms with the Steelheads for the coming season: forwards Matt McKnight, Matt Cook, Michael Olson, and Brandon Kushniruk along with defensemen Matt Sorteberg and Weston Tardy. 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.