Stars, Steelheads renew affiliation agreement

Boise, ID (7/16/2015) – The Idaho Steelheads and Dallas Stars announced Thursday that the two teams have renewed their affiliation for the 2015-16 season.

Idaho and the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League will continue to serve as the primary development affiliates of the Dallas Stars.

This season will mark the eleventh consecutive season – and 12th season in total – that the NHL’s Stars have been affiliated with the ECHL’s Steelheads, which makes it the third-longest continuous, active 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 Director of Hockey Operations and Texas Stars General Manager Scott White. “Head Coach Brad Ralph has done a tremendous job in Idaho, as his success in developing young players has led to the winning culture we strive to uphold at all levels of the organization. We look forward to our continued partnership with the Steelheads.”

The Ralph-led Steelheads tied the organization’s ECHL-era record with 48 victories last season, winning the Pacific Division.  The team has won two ECHL Kelly Cup championships and reached a third during its affiliation with the Stars organization.

Among the players to be assigned to Idaho via its affiliation with the NHL’s and AHL’s Stars – G Jack Campbell, G Josh Robinson, G Dan Ellis, G Richard Bachman, G Tyler Beskorowany, D Ryan Button, D Brendan Milnamow, D Mike Dalhuisen, F Jesse Root, F Austin Smith, F Richard Clune, F BJ Crombeen, F John Lammers, F Zenon Konopka, F Francis  Wathier, F Luke Gazdic and F David Bararuk.

The Steelheads open the regular season on Friday, October 16, at home against the Rapid City Rush.  It is the first of 36 home games  for the team, each of which will be played at CenturyLink Arena.

Season tickets are on sale now with full-season packages starting as low as $275 per seat for all 36 home games.  Partial-season packages are also available.  Contact the Idaho Steelheads at 208-383-0080 for more information or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com.