AHL affiliate reassigns Neal to Idaho

(Boise, ID) ? Head coach and director of hockey operations Hardy Sauter announced Wednesday that forward Michael Neal has been returned to the Idaho Steelheads by the AHL?s Texas Stars. The 21-year-old Neal will be with the team when it travels to Stockton, CA, on Thursday for a three-game weekend series against the Stockton Thunder. It has been a busy week of travel for Neal. After spending about a month with Idaho?s AHL affiliate, Texas sent Neal back to the Steelheads early last week. After skating for the Steelheads on Tuesday, he was immediately recalled again by Texas and spent another week with the Stars before being sent back to Idaho today. Neal has three goals in 16 games at the American Hockey League level. In 37 games with the Steelheads this season, he has six goals and seven assists. He?s in his second professional season after being selected in the 5th round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars. His older brother, James Neal, is a forward with the NHL?s Pittsburgh Penguins. Texas (AHL) and Idaho (ECHL) are the primary development affiliates of the NHL?s Dallas Stars. Idaho returns home for ?Pink in the Rink? Week on March 23, 25, and 26 against the Ontario Reign. The Steelheads will wear specially-themed pink jerseys that will be auctioned off to raise funds to battle breast cancer. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.