Boise, ID (7/14/16) – Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced on Thursday afternoon that the Idaho Steelheads have agreed to terms with forward Kyle Jean on an ECHL contract.
Jean, 26, joined the Steelheads last December after starting the season in Sweden with Asploven HC. Jean made his Steelheads debut on December 2nd and became one of Idaho’s most dynamic scorers, setting career-highs with 16 goals and 42 points in 52 regular season games. Jean also netted two goals in the Steelheads’ first-round playoff series with the Allen Americans.
“Kyle was a big part of our team’s turnaround and continued success last season. There aren’t many players that have his speed and skill-set at 6-foot-4,” said Graham. “He has the ability to make plays at a high tempo and pull away from defenders. He’ll be a big part of our team this season and will contribute in all areas of the game.”
Jean was used in both power play and penalty killing situations last season, tallying four power play goals and 11 points with the man-advantage, as well as a shorthanded goal. His four game-winning goals tied for third-best on the team.
The Sault Sainte Marie native earned the longest points streak of any Steelhead last season, an eight-game stretch in which he racked up five goals and 17 points between December 11th and December 30th. That strong performance earned him ECHL Player of the Week honors.
Over four professional seasons, Jean has played 126 games in the ECHL for the Steelheads and the Greenville Road Warriors (now the Greenville Swamp Rabbits), totaling 35 goals and 96 points. In that time he has also played 126 games in the American Hockey League with Hartford, Charlotte, and Lake Erie, scoring 11 goals and 29 points. Jean recorded two goals and seven points in 19 games in Sweden last year with Asploven HC.
Jean played two seasons at Lake Superior State University before leaving school after the 2011-12 season to sign an entry-level contract with the New York Rangers.
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