Ralph adds NHL experience with Ondrus

Boise, ID (9/24/12) ?Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Brad Ralph brought NHL experience into the Idaho Steelheads locker room when the team announced Monday it had agreed to terms with forward Ben Ondrus. The 30-year-old Ondrus made his professional debut with the Steelheads at the end of the 2002-03 season, skating in nine games for the team. Since then, Ondrus has played over 500 games at the American Hockey League level (highest level of minor league hockey in North America) and has also appeared in over 50 games at the NHL level for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He skated last season in the DEL (Germany), one of the top professional leagues in Europe. The Sherwood Park, Alberta, native made his NHL debut in 2006, appearing in 22 games with the Maple Leafs. His first NHL point came that fall, an assist against Columbus early in the 2006-07 campaign. He has played in parts of four NHL seasons, all with the Maple Leafs. In 513 AHL games (regular season and postseason), Ondrus has netted 75 goals and picked up 664 penalty minutes. He spent three seasons as the captain of the AHL?s Toronto Marlies and another season as the captain of the AHL?s Oklahoma City Barons. Ralph on Ondrus: ?Ben is an established, veteran, AHL-caliber player so his play on the ice will speak for itself. You can?t put a value on his leadership on the bench and in the dressing room. He?s been where the other guys in our room want to go. There?s no way to teach the experience and smarts that Ben brings.? Training camp opens on October 1 for the Steelheads at CenturyLink Arena. Ondrus joins Jacob Cepis, Andrew Carroll, Andrew Wright, Ron Meyers, Justin Dowling, Austin Mayer, Jake Morley and Taylor McReynolds as forwards on the team?s training camp roster. The 16th season of professional hockey in Boise kicks off on Friday, October 12, when the Idaho Steelheads host the Utah Grizzlies at CenturyLink Arena. 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.