Idaho acquires Gergen, receives Coyle from AHL affiliate

(Boise, ID) ? Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Hardy Sauter announced two separate transactions on Thursday as the team left Boise to begin a three-game road trip to Utah. First, the team has acquired defenseman Michael Gergen from the Bakersfield Condors in exchange for forward Aaron Lewadniuk. Gergen is a third-year professional out of Minnesota-Duluth where he was a teammate of former Steelhead forwards Matt McKnight and Bryan McGregor. Gergen has four goals in 21 games so far this season and was a 2nd-round NHL draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2005. ?It?s the age-old axiom,? Sauter said. ?You have to give up something to get something. Aaron is a quality player and a quality kid. But we also received a good player who will help us out on the blue line.? Sauter also announced that defenseman Jace Coyle has been reaassigned from Texas of the American Hockey league to Idaho. Coyle, 21, had an assist in three games in an earlier assignment to Idaho. The Cranbrook, BC, native is under contract with the NHL?s Dallas Stars and is in his first professional season after playing major junior hockey in the Western Hockey League. Texas (AHL) and Idaho (ECHL) are the primary development affiliates of the Dallas Stars. Both players are expected to be in uniform with the Steelheads when Idaho faces the Utah Grizzlies Friday night in West Valley City, Utah. Game time is 7 PM and can be heard on KTIK (1350 AM) in the Treasure Valley. Group outings at a Steelheads game are a great way to gather friends, colleagues, or co-workers for a fun night out in downtown Boise. Ticket prices are discounted and you can get a Pepsi, Double-R Ranch Hot Dog, and bag of Tim?s Cascade Chips with each ticket. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.