Idaho deals Dickson to Gwinnett, signs Hepp

(Boise, ID) ? The Idaho Steelheads announced Tuesday that the team has dealt forward John-Scott Dickson to the Gwinnett Gladiators in exchange for future considerations. Head coach and director of hockey operations Hardy Sauter then announced the team has signed rookie defenseman Chris Hepp out of St. Cloud State. Dickson, 26, joined the Steelheads last spring during the Kelly Cup playoffs. He produced one of the biggest games in team history on May 11 when he netted three goals ? a natural hat trick ? in a span of six minutes, propelling the Steelheads to a series-clinching victory over Stockton in the National Conference Finals. The University of New Brunswick product had six goals and 10 assists in 27 games this season for the Steelheads. The 23-year-old Hepp joins Idaho from the college ranks at St. Cloud State, the same school that produced Steelhead forward John Swanson and goaltender Jase Weselosky. Hepp was an alternate captain, appearing in 20 games for the Huskies this season before turning professional. He also played junior hockey for the Omaha Lancers of the USHL, where he was a teammate of Mark Olver, the son of former Steelheads head coach John Olver. Hepp will be in uniform Tuesday night when the team takes on the Utah Grizzlies, wearing number 3. The Steelheads entertain Utah Tuesday and Wednesday night at Qwest Arena before hitting the road for a week. The team will be back on Friday, January 14, to open a three-game weekend set against the Victoria Salmon Kings. Friday is another ?4-for-$44 Night? with the Steelheads, where fans can get four tickets, four Pepsis, four Double-R Ranch Hot Dogs, and four bags of Tim?s Cascade Chips for just $44. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 for more information.