Steelheads acquire Friesen from Utah

(Boise, ID) ? Just a couple of hours prior to meeting on the ice Wednesday night, the Idaho Steelheads and Utah Grizzlies agreed to a three-player trade. Idaho sent defensemen Matt Sorteberg and Kyle Radke to Utah in exchange for defenseman Dustin Friesen. Friesen, 26, appeared in 33 games with the Grizzlies before being shipped to Idaho. He had two goals and nine assists in that span. Despite his age, the Saskatchewan native is a rookie after spending four years with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League and five years at the University of New Brunswick prior to turning pro this season. Both Sorteberg and Radke initially joined the Steelheads last season. Radke played in 65 regular-season games with Idaho, scoring one goal, handing out five assists, and accumulating 189 penalty minutes. His 155 penalty minutes led the club in 2008-2009 as he served as the team?s primary enforcer as a rookie out of North Dakota. Sorteberg was a late-season addition to the team in March 2009, playing two games near the end of the regular season after finishing his college career at Quinnipiac. He became a steady regular on Idaho?s blue line earlier this season, carrying a plus-7 rating in 20 games. The 23-year-old scored his first professional goal on January 2 against the Stockton Thunder. None of the three players involved in the trade will play in tonight?s game. Following tonight?s game, Idaho is off for the ECHL All Star break, returning to action January 22 against Las Vegas in Boise. Tickets are available at the Qwest Arena box office or by calling 208.331.TIXS. Group outings are a great way to get friends, family, co-workers, or colleagues together to enjoy a night out at great savings over walk-up ticket prices. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.