Boise, ID (10/9/16) – Steelheads Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced on Sunday that the Steelheads have agreed to terms with rookie defenseman Travis Walsh on an ECHL contract for the 2016-17 season.
Walsh, 23, played six professional games at the end of last season , three with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves and three in the ECHL with the Missouri Mavericks, following a four-year college career at Michigan State University. Walsh also saw action in one playoff game with Missouri.
In four seasons at Michigan State, the Haslett, Michigan native tallied three goals and 48 points from the blue line in 141 games, along with 90 penalty minutes and 335 blocked shots. Walsh set career-highs in 2015-16 for assists (15) and points (16). Walsh was also recognized by the team with the Dr. John Downs Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year Award, his second time winning the award at Michigan State.
During his junior season in 2014-15, Walsh was named to the Big-10 Conference’s Second All-Star team.
“Travis is a smart hockey player, We spoke a lot over the summer and he will fit in well with our style of play,” said Graham. "Any time you can add another high-character guy who leads by example, you're getting better."
The 5-foot-11 defender played three seasons of junior hockey in the USHL prior to college, scoring five goals and 36 points in 132 games between the Sioux City Musketeers and the Muskegon Lumberjacks.
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