Klassen leaves Steelheads for Europe

(Boise, ID) ? Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Hardy Sauter announced Thursday that the Idaho Steelheads have placed forward Chad Klassen on suspension and he has left the team to play professionally in Europe. Klassen, 26, has signed a contract for the remainder of this season as well as next season for a team in Erste Bank Liga, an Austrian professional league. ?We hate to lose Chad, but we can?t ask him to say no to that,? Sauter said. ?He was offered a good contract and job security to play in a good league in Europe. He represented this team and community well and we expect him to do well over there.? The Warman, Saskatchewan, native had 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists) with the Steelheads which, at the time of his departure, led the Steelheads and was tops among all ECHL rookies. He?s in his first full professional season after playing college hockey at the University of Alberta and junior hockey in the Western Hockey League. 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 for more information.