AHL affiliate grabs two forwards from Idaho

Boise, ID (1/7/13) ? Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Brad Ralph announced Monday morning that forward Austin Smith has been reassigned by the NHL?s Dallas Stars from Idaho to Texas of the American Hockey League. Ralph also announced that Texas has signed forward Justin Dowling to a standard player contract and recalled him from Idaho. Idaho (ECHL) and Texas (AHL) are the primary development affiliates of the NHL?s Dallas Stars. The American Hockey League is the highest level of minor-league hockey in North America. Smith is the Steelheads? team leader in goals (19) and Dowling leads the team in assists (33) and points (46). His point total is second-highest in the ECHL. They are the two top scorers on the team. The 24-year-old Smith netted goals in 13 of the 23 games he played with Idaho. He had seven points (three goals, four assists) in his final two games with Idaho, a pair of weekend victories over Bakersfield. His spinning, back-hand goal from the left-hand circle on Friday night was selected as the no. 2 play of the night by ESPN?s ?SportsCenter.? Smith is in his first full professional season out of Colgate University. Dowling, 22, was recently voted as a starter for the upcoming ECHL All Star Game in a vote of coaches, players, and media/broadcasters around the league. He notched at least one goal or assist in 28 of the team?s 34 games through Saturday, including points in each of his last five games (eight points, four goals and four assists). Dowling is a second-year pro from Cochrane, Alberta, who split last season between the ECHL (Utah) and AHL (Abbotsford). The Steelheads (22-7-5) are in action on the road Thursday at San Francisco. Game time is 8 PM (Mtn) and can be heard live on KTIK (1350 AM) in the Treasure Valley. Idaho returns home on Friday, January 4, to host the Bakersfield Condors. Group nights are a great way to get family, friends, co-workers, and colleagues together at CenturyLink Arena at a discounted price. Groups can also include a Double-R Ranch hot dog, Tim's Cascade chips, and a small Pepsi. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.