Boise, ID (9/14/17) – Steelheads Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced on Thursday that the team has agreed to terms with forward Reid Halabi on an ECHL contract for the 2017-18 season.
Halabi, 22, is preparing for his third professional season, and second full season, after spending the 2016-17 campaign with the Tulsa Oilers. In 20 games with the Oilers, Halabi notched two goals and three points, along with 172 penalty minutes that ranked 13th in the ECHL and second among rookies. His 8.6 penalty minutes-per-game led the ECHL.
“Reid is a tough kid who isn’t afraid to stick up for a teammate,” said Graham. “He plays a heavy, physical game and will add a welcomed presence to the lineup.”
The Edmonton, Alberta native earned 18 fighting majors in 20 games with the Oilers last season, including three games in which he logged multiple fighting majors. In 40 professional games during the last two seasons, spent with Fort Wayne, Allen, and Tulsa, the 5-foot-10 forward has recorded three goals, five points, and 276 penalty minutes.
Halabi played two seasons of junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, playing 101 games from 2013 to 2015 with Moncton and Chicoutimi. He totaled five goals, 14 points, and 330 penalty minutes in juniors, and led the QMJHL in penalty minutes in 2014-15.
Halabi is the tenth forward announced by the Steelheads this off-season.