Steelheads add rookies Fennell and Keller

Boise, ID (9/22/16) – The Steelheads have added two more players from elite college programs to the training camp roster. Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced on Thursday afternoon that defenseman Jarrett Fennell and forward Ryan Keller have agreed to terms on ECHL contracts for the 2016-17 season.

Fennell, 25, and Keller, 23, are just the second pair of college rookies to join the Steelheads this off-season. They’ll join other college standouts Will Merchant and David Glen at training camp.

Fennell heads to Idaho after four seasons at Northeastern University. With the Huskies, Fennell netted a goal and ten assists in 83 games, along with 20 minutes in penalties. The 6-foot-2 native of Innisfil, Ontario set career-highs in games played (35) and points (5) in 2015-16, helping anchor the Huskies’ blue line on their way to a Hockey East Championship. It was the school’s first conference title since 1988.

“Jarrett is a physical defenseman who plays a hard-nosed game, said Graham. “He had a successful career at Northeastern and was a consistent, reliable player during his time there.”

Keller played four seasons at Michigan State University, scoring 18 goals and 39 points in 111 career college games. The Farmington Hills, Michigan native had his best season in 2014-15 as a junior, when he notched 11 goals and eight assists and was named the program’s Most Improved Player.

“Ryan is a big forward who plays with a lot of speed,” said Graham. “He had good success in a very tough Big 10 Conference, including that big season as a junior.”