Milestones keep coming for Flichel

(Boise, ID) - The career milestones are starting to build up for longtime Idaho Steelheads captain Marty Flichel. The 34-year-old forward notched his 400th point as a Steelhead last week when he assisted on an Adam Huxley goal against the Utah Grizzlies at Qwest Arena. ?It?s getting hard to keep up with all of them,? head coach Derek Laxdal said with a smile of Flichel?s milestones. In January, Flichel became the leading scorer in the history of the Idaho Steelheads, spanning both the ECHL and WCHL eras. Prior to that, he had netted his 250th professional goal in North America on November 6, also against the Utah Grizzlies. Flichel made his professional debut for the ECHL?s Dayton Bombers during the 1996-97 season. He?s skating in his 12th season in North America, also having played two years overseas. The IHL?s Michigan K-Wings (now the ECHL?s Kalamazoo Wings) and WCHL?s Tacoma Sabercats also employed Flichel along the way. He first joined the Steelheads in 2002-2003, when the team was still in the WCHL, returning to the team for good at the start of the 2004-2005 season. This is his seventh season with Idaho. ?Even though this is a younger, development-based league, he still finds ways to contribute,? Laxdal said. ?His leadership and on-ice production have been invaluable to the Steelheads over the years.? Flichel has 651 professional points in North America, meaning the countdown to 700 is on. With 49 points so far this season, he?d only need to match that production next season to reach the lofty mark. His next point would give him another milestone ? five consecutive seasons with at least 50 points with the Steelheads. ?Guys don?t stay in one place long enough any more to do those kinds of things,? Laxdal said. ?We?re lucky to have him.?