Barlow returns, Steelheads add defenseman

(Boise, ID) ? ECHL All-Star MVP Evan Barlow has been returned to the Idaho Steelheads and will be in uniform Wednesday night when the team takes on the Alaska Aces, head coach Derek Laxdal announced Tuesday. Laxdal also announced the team has signed defenseman Aaron Dawson to a contract. He will also be with the team on Wednesday as the Steelheads begin a six-game homestand against the Alaska Aces and Bakersfield Condors. Barlow registered four points (one goal, three assists) in eight games with the Abbotsford Heat after being loaned to the American Hockey League team on February 4. He has 48 points (23 goals, 25 assists) in 37 games with Idaho, including a team-best 13 power-play goals. The 24-year-old Alberta native had two goals and two assists in the ECHL All Star game in January to take home most valuable player honors. ?It?s another proven goal-scorer in our lineup,? Laxdal said. ?Evan got a good taste of what the AHL is all about and now he?ll come back here and work his tail off to help us win games.? Dawson, 24, just concluded his college hockey career at the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada. The 6-foot-5 blue-liner also played five seasons of junior hockey with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League, including an appearance in the 2006 Memorial Cup. Note: Defenseman Weston Tardy has been transferred from the 3-day injured list to the 7-day injured list and forward Matt McKnight has been placed on the 3-day injured list. Both will be eligible to come off the injured list later this week. Idaho returns to Qwest Arena to host the Alaska Aces on Wednesday, February 24. 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 for more information.