Defenseman heads to the AHL

Boise, ID (11/19/14) – Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Brad Ralph announced Wednesday morning that defenseman Scott Valentine has signed a standard player contract with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League.

The AHL is the highest level of minor-league hockey in North America.  Texas (AHL) and Idaho (ECHL) are the primary development affiliates of the NHL’s Dallas Stars.

Valentine, 23, signed an ECHL contract with the Steelheads in October and appeared in 12 of the team’s first 14 games.  In those games, he picked up six assists, 20 penalty minutes and a plus-5 rating.  It was the first 12 games he had played at the ECHL level after playing the first 191 games of his professional career at the AHL level.

The move leaves the Steelheads with six active defensemen – Matt Case, Patrick Cullity, Charlie Dodero, Troy Vance, Eamonn McDermott and Colin Shea.

Idaho opens a three-game home set tonight against the Ontario Reign.  Game time is 7:10 PM at CenturyLink Arena.

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 chips with each ticket.  Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.