Idaho adds Patterson, Dueck to training-camp roster

Boise, ID (7/18/13) - Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Brad Ralph announced Thursday that the Idaho Steelheads have agreed to terms with forward Gaelan Patterson and defenseman Colin Dueck. The two will join the Steelheads for training camp, which begins in early October.The 22-year-old Patterson is preparing for his fourth professional season after spending the past three seasons in the Calgary Flames farm system. Patterson skated in 64 games with the rival Utah Grizzlies last season, picking up 27 points (six goals, 21 assists) as he split time between his natural forward position and defense. The Saskatchewan native has played 120 games in the American Hockey League, the highest level of minor-league hockey in North America, for the Abbotsford Heat since turning pro in 2010.Ralph on Patterson: "Gaelan is a hard-working, high-character two-way player who will do whatever is needed to help the team. We're excited to see what he can do when placed in a little more offensive role."Dueck (DOO-eck) was a member of the 2013 NCAA national championship team at Yale University. He competed in 37 games last season as a senior, including Yale's national-championship victory over Quinnipiac, and finished his four-year college career with 123 games played. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound blueliner was a three-time member of the conference's All-Academic team and was also a teammate of former Steelhead defenseman Ken Trentowski.Ralph on Dueck: "A quality, well-liked player coming out of a good program at Yale. He's a big, physical kid who isn't afraid to hit people. He should develop into a really solid pro player."Idaho opens the regular season on October 18 at Utah. The team's home opener is Wednesday, October 23, at CenturyLink Arena in Boise against the San Francisco Bulls.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 for all 36 home games. Partial packages are available as well. Contact the team's front office at 208-383-0080 and ask to speak to an account executive today.