Monast returns, Swanson leaves for Europe

(Boise, ID) ? On the same day that defenseman Guillaume Monast was returned to the Idaho Steelheads by the AHL?s Texas Stars, Steelheads head coach and director of hockey operations Hardy Sauter announced that forward John Swanson has been placed on team suspension. Swanson has left the team to play professionally in Europe. The 25-year-old Minnesota native was third in the team in points (22) and assists (15). As a rookie, Swanson was selected for the ECHL All Star game last season and finished the campaign with 53 points (23 goals, 30 assists) in 70 contests for the Steelheads. He added eight goals in 15 playoff games as the team won the National Conference championship and advanced to the ECHL?s Kelly Cup finals. Monast skated for Idaho?s AHL affiliate last week and has now appeared in three games for the Texas Stars without a point, but with a plus-4 rating. He has five points (one goal, four assists) in 31 games so far this season with Idaho. The return of Monast (pronounced MOAN-ah) gives Sauter six active defensemen ? Monast, Weston Tardy, Cody Lampl, Steve Oleksy, Tyler Ludwig, and Chris Hepp. Dustin Friesen remains on loan with the AHL?s Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Idaho (ECHL) is the development affiliate of the Texas Stars (American Hockey League) and Dallas Stars (National Hockey League). The Steelheads are in action this week at Qwest Arena against the first-place Utah Grizzlies on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night. That makes it a ?Twice the Ice? week with the Steelheads ? purchase a ticket for Wednesday?s game and you can buy a ticket for Saturday night?s tilt for just $7. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 for more information.