Case loaned to AHL's Stars

(Boise, ID) ? Idaho Steelheads defenseman Matt Case has been loaned to the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League, Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Hardy Sauter announced Thursday afternoon. The transaction comes on Case?s 26th birthday and marks his second trip to the highest level of minor-league hockey in North America. The Ferris State alum made his professional debut at the AHL level with the Norfolk Admirals at the end of the 2009-10 season. The second-year blue-liner signed a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with Texas, making him the fourth Steelhead player to sign a PTO this season, joining goaltender Jimmy Spratt (since traded to Utah), forward Kael Mouillierat, and defenseman Steve Oleksy. Both Oleksy and Mouillierat remain on the roster with Bridgeport of the AHL. Case has two goals and seven assists in 41 games thusfar this season with Idaho. He was acquired by Idaho last January via trade from the Gwinnett Gladiators and went on to appear in 40 games (31 regular season, nine playoffs) with the Steelheads during the 2010-11 campaign. He has 19 points - five goals and 14 assists - in 110 regular-season ECHL games. The move leaves Sauter with six healthy defensemen: Chris Hepp, Michael Gergen, Derek Matheson, Sean Perkins, Andrei Plekhanov, and Adam Maccarone. The Steelheads play at Stockton Friday night before traveling to Ontario, CA, for games Saturday and Sunday. Idaho returns home Wednesday, February 22, to host the Utah Grizzlies at CenturyLink Arena and plays 14 of its final 18 regular-season games in Boise. 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.