Steelheads celebrate successful season

Boise, ID (5/21/13) ? The ECHL?s Idaho Steelheads have begun their transition into the offseason after a successful 2012-13 season that saw the team achieve success on the ice, in the stands and in the community. On the Ice: First-year head coach Brad Ralph authored an impressive turnaround for the team as the Steelheads went from 31 wins last season to 45 wins this season, the second-most for Idaho in the ECHL era. Defenseman Matt Case was named first team All-ECHL and was the runner-up for the league?s Defenseman of the Year. Sixteen players were called up from Idaho to the American Hockey League (the highest level of minor-league hockey in North America) at some point during the regular season, including Austin Smith, who led the team in goals with 27 and landed on ESPN SportsCenter?s ?Top Plays? in early January after a pair of spinning back-hand shots found the back of the net in a win over Bakersfield. In the Stands: Idaho?s attendance grew during the 2012-13 season as nearly 165,000 people attended a Steelheads game at CenturyLink Arena in Boise. That number represented an increase of over 12,000 fans from the previous season. There were six sellouts, including a season-high 5,335 fans on February 23 to see the Steelheads take on the San Francisco Bulls. In the Community: Once again, the Steelheads were good stewards of their community, visiting nearly 40 schools in the Treasure Valley during the season. Defenseman Scott Todd earned the team?s Bill Campbell Community Service award after leading the team in appearances at local schools, libraries and community events. The team hosted three jersey auctions to benefit local non-profit organizations, including the fan-favorite ?Pink in the Rink.? The three auctions combined to generate over $40,000. The Steelheads have been doing jersey auctions since 1998 and have raised north of $430,000 with 100 percent of the revenue going to local charities and non-profit organizations. ?All three aspects are important when it comes to being a good member of the community, which is something our ownership group demands,? Steelheads president Eric Trapp said. ?We?re proud of what Coach Ralph and the team accomplished on the ice and in the community and we?re also excited that the fans enjoyed coming to the arena for the games.? Season Tickets for the 2013-14 season are already on sale! After finishing the regular season with 45 wins and nearly 100 points in the standings, you won?t want to miss any of the action next season when the Steelheads take the ice. Full-season packages begin at as little as $275 per seat. Partial-season packages are available as well. Contact the team?s front office at 208-383-0080 and ask to speak to an account executive today!