Steelheads, Ralph agree to contract extension

Boise, ID (1/5/13) ? The Idaho Steelheads and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Brad Ralph have agreed to a two-year contract extension, less than halfway through his first season as the team?s head man. Financial terms of the extension, which puts Ralph under contract through the 2014-15 season, will not be disclosed. ?We were confident that we got the right man when we went through the hiring process over the summer and everything he?s done since arriving has supported that feeling,? Steelheads President Eric Trapp said. ?There wasn?t a need to wait. We knew we wanted to get an extension done and he did, too, so we got it done.? The 32-year-old Ralph is in his third season as a professional head coach. Before he was hired by Idaho, he spent two seasons as the head coach of the Augusta RiverHawks of the Southern Professional Hockey League and was named the league?s Coach of the Year following the 2010-11 campaign. ?From day one, the organization has given my family and I first-class treatment and we?re really enjoying the city and the people,? Ralph said. ?The support we receive is a big factor in the ongoing success of this organization and I?m glad to be a part of it.? Through 33 games, under Ralph?s direction, the Steelheads are among the ECHL?s leaders in wins (21), points (47), goals scored (129), goals per game (3.91), power play percentage (22 percent), penalty kill (86 percent), short-handed goals (9), home wins (13), home winning percentage (.824) and overall winning percentage (.712). Ralph and the Steelheads will be at home Saturday night to host the Bakersfield Condors. Game time at CenturyLink Arena is 7:10 PM. 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 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.