Steelheads sign NHL-level forward

Boise, ID (12/11/12) ? Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Brad Ralph announced Tuesday afternoon that the Idaho Steelheads have signed forward Nick Johnson. Johnson, 26, played in 77 games last season for the NHL?s Minnesota Wild. Along the way, he netted eight goals and added 18 assists and was invited to participate in the NHL Skills Competition during All-Star weekend in Ottawa. In all, the 6-foot-1 winger has competed in 87 games at the NHL level with the Wild and Pittsburgh Penguins after being a third-round draft selection of the Penguins in 2004. After playing last season with Minnesota, Johnson signed a contract with the NHL?s Phoenix Coyotes prior to the NHL lockout. The Calgary, Alberta, native has also spent time with the ECHL?s Wheeling Nailers and Wilkes-Barre Scranton of the American Hockey League between 2008 and 2011. He set a career-high in goals with 20 in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton during the 2010-11 campaign. He played his college hockey at Dartmouth, where he served as team captain during his senior season. Johnson is expected to make his Steelheads? debut Wednesday night at CenturyLink Arena in Boise when the team hosts the Alaska Aces at 7:10 PM. Partial-season ticket plans are still available, including the 20-voucher ?Flex Plan,? starting at just $279 per plan. Fans receive 20 vouchers redeemable at their convenience for any game during the regular season with lower-bowl and upper-bowl options. Contact the Steelheads front office at 383-0080 for more information or visit the team?s website at www.idahosteelheads.com.