Harstad signs PTO with Texas Stars

West Valley, UT (2/19/17) –Steelheads Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced on Sunday that defenseman Aaron Harstad has been signed to a professional tryout agreement (PTO) by the American Hockey League’s Texas Stars.

Harstad, 24, has played four games for the Steelheads since the team acquired him from the Norfolk Admirals on February 8th. The Stevens Point, Wisconsin native earned a goal and two assists with Idaho, as well as a plus-5 rating. Harstad scored his first goal with Idaho on the power play Friday night against the Utah Grizzlies.

A seventh-round draft pick of the Winnipeg Jets in 2011, Harstad has played 31 career AHL games with the St. John’s IceCaps and the Manitoba Moose, registering four assists and 28 penalty minutes. In 51 ECHL games with the Tulsa Oilers, Admirals, and Steelheads, the second-year pro has totaled five goals and 23 points, as well as a plus-10 rating. This will be Harstad’s first stint in the AHL this season.

The Steelheads acquired Harstad from the Admirals in a trade that sent forward Brady Vail to Norfolk. Vail came to Idaho in the trade that sent forwards Travis Ewanyk and Colin Mulvey to the Fort Wayne Komets.

Harstad becomes the sixth Steelhead this season playing under ECHL contract to earn a PTO in the AHL. Harstad, Ewanyk, forward Bryce Van Brabant, and defenseman Joe Faust have all signed PTOs with the Stars this season, while forward Kellan Lain and goaltender Branden Komm spent time with AHL Bakersfield.