Idaho's Derlago named ECHL Player of the Week

(Boise, ID) ? Idaho Steelheads forward Mark Derlago has been named the Sher-wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week for the week of January 25 ? 31. In three Steelhead victories, Derlago scored eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) and had a plus-3 rating. He tied his career-high with four assists in Idaho?s win at Bakersfield Friday night. He continued to beat up on his former team on Saturday, when he scored twice, including the game-winner late in the third. Then, on Sunday, he aided a furious Steelhead rally with a third-period goal and assist in a victory over the Ontario Reign. He?s the first Steelhead skater to be honored as Player of the Week this season. Rejean Beauchemin (twice) and Richard Bachman (once) have each been honored as the league?s Goaltender of the Week. All told, Derlago finished January with 24 points (8 goals, 16 assists) in 11 contests. That upped his season total to 44 points 17 goals and a team-high 27 assists. He?s currently riding a nine-game point streak, picking up at least two points in eight of the nine games. Before joining the Steelheads this season, the 24-year-old Derlago had played the past three seasons with the Bakersfield Condors, where he was one of the most prolific scorers in the ECHL. On behalf of Derlago, Sher-wood hockey will donate a case of pucks to local youth hockey in the Boise area. Former Steelhead Derek Nesbitt, who played for the 2007 Kelly Cup championship team in Idaho, was the runner-up for the award after posting three goals and three assists over the weekend for the Toledo Walleye. Idaho returns home on Wednesday, February 10, to host the Utah Grizzlies at Qwest Arena in Boise. Tickets are available by calling the Qwest Arena box office at 208.331.TIXS or logging on to www.idahosteelheads.com.