Steelheads announce initial "Protected List"

Boise, ID (6/1/12) ? The Idaho Steelheads announced their initial Protected List, allowing the team to maintain the rights to the following ECHL-contracted players. Goaltender (1): Bryan Hince Defensemen (10): Matt Case, Deron Cousens, Matt Cowie, Dustin Friesen, Michael Gergen, Chris Hepp, Derek Matheson, Andrei Plekhanov, Kory Scoran, Steven Tarasuk Forwards (15): Jacob Cepis, Marty Flichel, Tyson Hobbins, Patrick Kennedy, Chad Klassen, Derek LeBlanc, Aaron Lewicki, Ian Lowe, Ron Meyers, Kael Mouillierat, Chad Nehring, Joe Pereira, Cody Purves, Marc Rancourt, Marc Rechlicz Only players on ECHL contracts are eligible. Players who are assigned by National Hockey League or American Hockey League teams are not eligible to be protected by ECHL teams. Teams are allowed to protect as many players as they wish provided the players protected meet the guidelines as defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players? Association which state that teams shall retain the rights to each player that: 1. Signed a Standard Players Contract in 2011-12 with the Member, and has not been traded or released, OR 2. Signed a Standard Players Contract in 2011-12, and was recalled to the NHL/AHL or IIHF team, and has not been traded or released, OR 3. Had received a Qualifying Offer last summer for the current season, DID NOT sign an SPC, and has not been traded or released, OR 4. Has been suspended by the Member or League, and has not been traded or released, OR 5. Signed a Standard Players Contract on or after the first day of the 2011-12 regular season, then subsequently signed an NHL/AHL contract, and has not been traded or released, OR 6. Has executed the ECHL Retirement Form, and has not been traded or released Protected lists may exceed 20 players. Season Ticket packages are available now, starting at just $275 per seat for all 36 home games. Partial-season packages start at as little as $150 for fans who want a little more flexibility. Contact the Idaho Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 for more information.