Idaho acquires rights to Lewadniuk from Ontario

(Boise, ID) ? Head coach and director of hockey operations Hardy Sauter announced Tuesday that the Idaho Steelheads have acquired the rights to forward Aaron Lewadniuk from the Ontario Reign in exchange for the rights to forward Geoff Irwin. Lewadniuk (pronounced loo-WAD-nee-uk) scored 17 goals for the Reign last season, his first professional campaign. That total was third-most on the Ontario squad and earned him a spot on the 2011 ECHL All Star Team.The 22-year-old from Carman, Manitoba, played two seasons of junior hockey in the Western Hockey League for the Brandon Wheat Kings, tallying 133 points (52 goals, 81 assists) in 128 games between 2008 and 2010. Those two seasons coincide with the two seasons that Sauter was the head coach of the WHL?s Spokane Chiefs. ?I?ve seen him play at both the junior level and pro level now,? Sauter said. ?He?s a guy who is definitely going to improve our hockey team next season.? Irwin, also headed into his second full professional season, was voted Idaho?s Unsung Hero by his teammates last season. He netted 13 goals in 57 games for the Steelheads, including a game-winner in the final seconds of overtime to beat Bakersfield on February 9 at Qwest Arena in Boise. Lewadniuk also played one season for Omaha Lancers of the USHL prior to his seasons in the WHL. While in Omaha, he was a teammate of Steelhead defenseman Chris Hepp. Steelhead Season-Ticket Holders get six games FREE when they sign up for full-season packages. Plans for all 36 home games start at just $275 per seat. Partial-season plans are also available, with the home-opener coming on October 15 against the Utah Grizzlies. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 for more information.