Steelheads, Reign swap players

(Boise, ID) ? Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Hardy Sauter announced Thursday afternoon that the ECHL?s Idaho Steelheads have acquired defenseman Steven Tarasuk and future considerations from the Ontario Reign. In exchange, Idaho sent forwards David Fredriksson and Tommy Lange to Ontario, along with the ECHL rights to defenseman Steven Oleksy. Oleksy is currently under an American Hockey League contract with the AHL?s Bridgeport Sound Tigers and is on the team?s ?Clear Day? roster, making him eligible for the AHL playoffs. The trade was consummated shortly before the ECHL?s 1 PM (Mtn) trade deadline. Tarasuk is a 22-year-old defenseman from Thornhill, Ontario. He has notched seven goals and 24 assists (31 total points) in 58 games so far for the Reign with a plus-seven plus/minus rating. Tarasuk was a member of the 2011 ECHL Eastern Conference champion Kalamazoo Wings, appearing in 65 regular-season games for the Wings with 25 points (four goals, 21 assists), adding three more assists in four playoff games. Prior to turning pro, he competed for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, one of the top major junior hockey leagues in North America. Tarasuk?s 24 assists match the 24 dished out by Jacob Cepis, Idaho?s team-leader in the category. Fredriksson had 24 points in 45 games with Idaho, including an assist in Wednesday?s 3-1 win over Bakersfield. Lange had six goals in 15 games for the Steelheads. Tarasuk is expected to be in Idaho?s lineup Friday night when the Steelheads host the Bakersfield Condors at 7 PM at CenturyLink Arena. In a separate transaction, Idaho released defenseman Ryan Barlock from his amateur tryout contract. 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.