Derlago returns from AHL

(Boise, ID) ? ECHL All-Star forward Mark Derlago has been returned to Idaho by the American Hockey League?s Texas Stars and will be with the Steelheads on Wednesday night when the team plays the Ontario Reign. Derlago was loaned by the Steelheads to Texas earlier this month. In eight games, the Brandon, Manitoba, native had an assist and four penalty minutes for the Stars. Derlago is still the top scorer on the Steelheads roster even though he hasn?t skated for the team since February 1. His 53 points and 25 goals remain in the top eight in the ECHL despite playing in the AHL for the past three weeks. The 25-year-old winger, who was a first-team All-ECHL performer with Idaho last season, has joined the team on the road and will play Wednesday night in Ontario (8 PM, 1350 KTIK-AM). There are still four players from Idaho?s opening-night roster in Texas ? goaltender Tyler Beskorowany, defenseman Guillaume Monast, and forwards Michael Neal and Kael Mouillierat. Also, head coach and director of hockey operations Hardy Sauter announced that the Steelheads have signed defenseman John Kearns to an amateur tryout agreement (ATO). The 23-year-old Illinois product met the team in southern California and is expected to make his ECHL debut this week against the Reign. Idaho returns to Qwest Arena on Wednesday, March 2, to face the Western Conference-leading Las Vegas Wranglers. It's part of a three-game homestand with games Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday against the Wranglers. It?s a ?Twice the Ice? week, meaning fans who purchase a $15 ticket to Wednesday?s game will have an opportunity to buy a $7 ticket to the Saturday contest. Tickets are available at www.idahosteelheads.com or by calling 208.331.TIXS.