Steelheads make qualifying offer to five players

(Boise, ID) ? Idaho Steelheads head coach Derek Laxdal announced he has made qualifying offers to five players for the 2009-2010 season. Forwards Steve Gainey (pictured) and Bryan McGregor received offers, along with defensemen Riley Weselowski, Kory Scoran, and Travis Wight. By making those qualifying offers, Laxdal retains those players? ECHL rights. For non-veteran players, the Steelheads will keep those rights for the entirety of the season. Laxdal can trade the rights to those players if he chooses. In the case of Gainey, since he has ?veteran? status, he has until August 1 to accept the offer extended by the team. If he does not sign the qualifying offer, he is free to negotiate with other ECHL clubs but Laxdal will still have the right to match any offer Gainey receives. The 2009-2010 regular season opens on October 16 when the Steelheads host the Stockton Thunder at Qwest Arena. 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.