Karjalainen joins Steelheads

Boise, ID (11/10/16) –Steelheads Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced on Thursday afternoon that defenseman Miro Karjalainen has joined the team in Boise.. Karjalainen was assigned to Idaho on Wednesday by the AHL’s Texas Stars.

Karjalainen, 20, is a 2014 NHL Draft pick of the Dallas Stars (5th round, 135th overall) and is ready for his first season in North America. The native of Vihti, Finland is on an AHL contract with Texas, but spent the first part of this season in Europe. In five games with the HIFK U20 team in Finland’s top junior league, Karjalainen logged a goal and two assists.

The 6-foot-5, 205-pound defenseman also played four games with HIFK in the Finnish Elite League, scoring a goal there as well.

“Miro is a big, physical defenseman who is hungry to learn the North American game,” said Graham. “He brings a good attitude and energy to the rink every day and is a welcome addition.”

The Steelheads will honor the armed forces this weekend by wearing Military Appreciation Jerseys on November 11th and 12th, which will be available for purchase at silent auction during the games. All proceeds from the jersey auction will be donated to The Speedy Foundation.  For tickets and information, call the Steelheads front office at 383-0080 or visit on the web at idahosteelheads.com.