Future Stars return for third straight season

(Boise, ID) ? The ECHL?s Idaho Steelheads will once again don special jerseys to help raise money for a local charity, pulling on Dallas Stars sweaters this week to generate money for Saint Luke?s-Elks Children?s Rehab. The Steelheads will wear the jerseys of their NHL affiliate in games Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday against the Ontario Reign at Qwest Arena. This will mark the third season Idaho has promoted a ?Future Stars? night to raise money for local causes. Last season, the Future Stars night generated over $9,000. The funds are raised through a jersey auction. Beginning at game time on Wednesday, fans will have the opportunity to bid on the jersey of their favorite player. Bids open at $200 per jersey and can be purchased outright for $1,500. The auction, which will be held on the Qwest Arena concourse behind Section 113, will remain open until the beginning of the third period on Saturday night. The high bid at that point wins the jersey with the money going to Saint Luke?s-Elks Children?s Rehab and the winning bidder will be given the jersey after the game. The visiting Reign will wear Los Angeles Kings jerseys on Friday and Saturday. The Steelheads held three jersey auctions for local charities during the 2008-2009 season, raising nearly $30,000 for Special Olympics Idaho, Mountain States Tumor Institute, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The Steelheads and local business partners will surpass $300,000 donated to local charities through jersey auctions with this year?s ?Future Stars? auction. In all, the Steelheads organization has contributed more than $1.5 million back to the community since beginning play in 1997. ?That?s a big part of who we are and why we?re here,? Steelheads President Eric Trapp said. ?To be good stewards of our community and make the Treasure Valley a better place to live.? The organization has two more jersey auctions scheduled for the 2009-2010 season. More information on those events and beneficiaries will be released as the auction date draws nearer. Idaho is back on home ice Wednesday, December 9, when they host the Ontario Reign. Tickets are available at the Qwest Arena box office or by calling 208.331.TIXS. Full-season and partial-season ticket plans remain available as well. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 for more information.