'Heads sign former Hobey Baker winner

(Boise, ID) ? Junior Lessard, the 2004 Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner as the best player in college hockey, has signed with the Idaho Steelheads and will be in uniform Saturday night. Lessard, a right wing, will be wearing jersey no. 25 for Idaho when they take on the Alaska Aces. Game time is 7 PM. The 30-year-old Quebec native won college hockey?s version of the Heisman Trophy in 2004, finishing ahead of NHL star Zach Parise, after collecting 63 points (32 goals, 31 assists) in 45 games for Minnesota-Duluth. Since winning the Hobey Baker, Lessard has played 27 NHL games for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars. He has also had 50-point seasons in the American Hockey League for the Iowa Stars in 2005-2006 and again in 2006-2007. The AHL is the highest level of minor-league hockey in North America. Lessard will become the second Baker award winner to skate for the Steelheads. Forward Chris Marinucci played 39 games with the Steelheads between 2002 and 2004, scoring 17 goals along the way. Coincidentally, both Lessard and Marinucci played their college hockey at Minnesota-Duluth. The Steelheads wrap up their three-game home set against the rival Alaska Aces Saturday night at 7 PM. A group night with the Steelheads is a great way to celebrate the holidays with family, friends, and co-workers ? and you can save money on ticket prices too. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 for more information.