Boise, ID (7/26/17) – Steelheads Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced on Wednesday that the captain will return for a fourth season in Idaho, as the team agreed to terms with forward Jefferson Dahl on an ECHL contract for the 2017-18 season.
Dahl, 27, has played 180 games over the past three seasons with the Steelheads and is coming off his best offensive campaign in 2016-17. Dahl scored 22 goals for the second consecutive season and led the Steelheads with a career-high 66 points in 70 games. The Eau Claire, Wisconsin native also scored two goals and added an assist in three playoff games.
Dahl’s .94 points-per-game pace was the best of his career, and his consistent play over three years has placed him among the most productive players in Steelheads ECHL history. Dahl places ninth on the Steelheads all-time ECHL games played list (180), tied for fourth in goals (57), fourth in assists (92), and fifth in points (149). Dahl also has a plus-25 rating during his Steelheads career.
“Jefferson has been the motor of our team. He constantly leads on and off the ice,” said Graham. “I’m excited to push him and help build off his success from last year in order to propel him and our team to a new level.”
Last season fans voted Dahl a member of the Steelheads’ 20th Anniversary All-Time Team, the only active player named to the list. Prior to being named captain last season, Dahl served as an assistant captain in 2015-6, when he tied for the team-lead in goals and finished second on the team in points.
Dahl played four seasons at the University of Wisconsin from 2010 to 2014, playing 150 games with the Badgers and totaling 17 goals and 47 points. Dahl was part of a WCHA Championship team in 2013 and a Big 10 Championship in 2014. Prior to joining the Steelheads, Dahl played 18 games with EHC Klostersee in Germany, racking up seven goals and 11 points in 2014-15.