Boise, ID (8/24/17) – Steelheads Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced on Thursday that goaltender Branden Komm will be returning to Idaho for a third season. The Steelheads agreed to terms with the fourth-year pro on an ECHL contract for the 2017-18 season.
Komm, 26, enjoyed a career-year last season with the Steelheads, setting new personal-bests in appearances (36), wins (19), and shutouts (3). Handling the heaviest workload of his career, the Williamsville, NY native went 19-13-3 and ranked tenth in the ECHL with a 2.69 goals-against average and tied for sixth with a .917 save percentage.
“I’m hungry to bring a Kelly Cup back to such a great organization, city, and fan base,” said Komm. “The season can’t start soon enough.”
Komm established himself as one of the best breakaway goaltenders in the league last season. He was a perfect 4-0 in shootouts, his four wins the most in the league, and he stopped 13 of the 14 attempts he faced.
“Branden’s work ethic is unparalleled. He is a leader on this hockey club,” said Graham. “His dedication and competitiveness are contagious, and we expect him to take another step forward from his success last season.”
In 2016-17, Komm earned his first call-up to the American Hockey League, joining the Bakersfield Condors in January but not appearing in a game. Komm also finished the season on a particularly strong note, posting three consecutive wins that included a personal shutout streak of 180:49, the longest streak of his career.
Komm has appeared in 74 regular-season games in his pro career, spent with the Steelheads, South Carolina Stingrays, Cincinnati Cyclones, and Evansville IceMen. He is 33-29-7 for his career, with a 2.77 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. As a Steelhead, he is 23-16-4 in 45 appearances with a 2.73 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage.
Prior to turning pro, Komm played four seasons of college hockey at Bentley University, playing from 2010 to 2014 and going 47-50-5 with a 2.67 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage, and five shutouts. He was named Second Team All-Conference in the Atlantic Hockey Conference in 2013-14.
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