Boise, ID (9/20/16) – Steelheads Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced on Tuesday afternoon that former Vancouver Canucks forward Kellan Lain has agreed to terms on an ECHL contract for the 2016-17 season.
Lain, 27, will play his first season in the ECHL after playing 104 games in the American Hockey League during the past four seasons. Lain also skated in nine NHL games during the 2013-14 campaign for the Canucks, tallying a goal and 21 penalty minutes during that time.
In his AHL career with the Utica Comets, Iowa Wild, Oklahoma City Barons, and Chicago Wolves, Lain has scored nine goals and 23 points.
“Kellan is a welcome addition to our organization. He brings a lot of size and speed down the middle,” said Graham.
The 6-foot-6 native of Oakville, Ontario is coming off a season limited by injury. He scored two goals and added an assist in 16 AHL games split between Iowa and Utica.
The Steelheads acquired Lain’s ECHL rights from the Quad City Mallards at last season’s trade deadline in exchange for future considerations. The Steelheads traded defenseman Andrew Panzarella to the Mallards at the end of the season to complete the deal.
“I’ve had a chance to get to know Kellan over the course of the summer and he’s a very focused and driven player,” said Graham. “He’s going to add leadership and experience to our locker room, and we’re very excited to have him join our team.”
Lain is the second Steelheads’ addition this off-season with prior NHL experience, joining former Calgary Flame forward Bryce Van Brabant up front.
Lain played three seasons of Division I college hockey at Lake Superior State University, where he was a teammate of fellow Steelhead Kyle Jean. In 108 college games, Lain totaled 21 goals and 39 points. He served as an assistant captain in his final season.
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