Idaho renews affiliation agreement with NHL's Stars

FRISCO, Texas - The Dallas Stars announced today that the club will renew its affiliation with the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads for the 2014-15 season.

The Steelheads have served as Dallas' ECHL affiliate since the 2005-06 season and during the 2003-04 campaign. Idaho has reached the Kelly Cup Finals three times as an affiliate of the Dallas Stars, winning the Kelly Cup twice (2004 and 2007). The Steelheads finished the 2013-14 regular season with a record of 39-26-3-4, earning a trip to the postseason where the team advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals.

CLICK HERE to hear Steelheads Head Coach Brad Ralph's thoughts on the affiliation.

This will be the 11th season – 10th in a row - that the Stars organization has partnered with the Steelheads.  Idaho was affiliated with the Phoenix Coyotes for one season in 2004-05 but the team has spent the rest of its ECHL history working with the Stars, making it one of the longest continuous affiliations in the ECHL.  Wheeling (Pittsburgh, 1998) and Florida (Carolina, 1998) pre-date Idaho’s uninterrupted time with Dallas, which began in 2005.

"We are extremely pleased to renew our affiliation with the Steelheads," said Dallas Stars Director of Hockey Operations and Texas Stars General Manager Scott White. "Idaho has proven to be a strong stepping stone for young talent, which is no doubt a product of the club's success and the winning culture it has instituted."

The Texas Stars will continue to operate as Dallas' top development affiliate in the American Hockey League.

Among the players to be assigned to Idaho via its affiliation with the NHL's and AHL's Stars - G Josh Robinson, G Dan Ellis, G Richard Bachman, G Tyler Beskorowany, D Ryan Button, D Brendan Milnamow, F Brock Montgomery, F Austin Smith, F Michael Neal, F Richard Clune, F BJ Crombeen, F John Lammers, F Zenon Konopka, F Francis  Wathier, F Luke Gazdic and F David Bararuk.

Season tickets for the 2014-15 season are already on sale, starting at just $275 to secure the same seat for all 36 home games.  There are also partial-season plans available for fans seeking more flexibility.   Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.

(Thanks to the Dallas Stars Media Relations Department for contributing)