Steelheads acquire Basaraba

Boise, ID (10/13/15) – Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced on Tuesday that the Idaho Steelheads have acquired forward Joe Basaraba from the Orlando Solar Bears in exchange for defenseman Mark Louis.

Basaraba, 23, is preparing for his second full pro season after splitting the 2014-15 campaign between AHL San Antonio and the Cincinnati Cyclones. Basaraba also played 10 games for the Cyclones at the end of the 2013-14 season, following his four year career at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Basaraba scored a goal and added four assists in that 10-game stint, and followed it with 26 points (13-13-26) in 39 ECHL games last season.

Basaraba is a former third-round NHL draft pick of the Florida Panthers in 2010. The Ontario native racked up 56 points (28-28-56) in 148 games at the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he served as captain in his senior season, and won a National Championship in 2011.

“Basaraba is a big strong forward and will play in all situations,” said Graham. “He is a strong character player who wore the ‘C’ at Minnesota-Duluth and won a National Championship there.”

The Steelheads roster now sits at 21 skaters, with 13 forwards and eight defensemen, as well as three goaltenders. All opening day rosters must be finalized by the ECHL by Wednesday afternoon, October 14th.

Tickets are still available for the Steelheads’ regular season opener on October 16th against the Rapid City Rush at CenturyLink Arena. The Steelheads offer Family Fun Fridays, a deal every Friday offering four tickets, four Double R Ranch Hot Dogs, and four Pepsis for only $46, plus fees.

Season tickets are also now on sale 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.