McParland agrees to terms with Steelheads

Boise, ID (6/18/18) – Steelheads Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced on Monday that the Idaho Steelheads and forward Steve McParland have agreed to terms on an ECHL contract for the 2018-19 season. McParland becomes the first roster addition announced for 2018-19, returning for his second season in Idaho.

McParland, 27, prepares for his third professional season. The Schreiber, Ontario native led the Steelheads with 31 goals during his first campaign in Boise, and ranked third on the team with 57 points in 68 ECHL games. McParland also added three goals and five points in 11 playoff games.

“I’m excited to be back,“ said McParland. “Boise was an awesome place to play, and I’m looking forward to another season and building on what we accomplished last year.”

The 5-foot-11 forward was just the eleventh Steelhead in the ECHL era to score 30 goals in a season, netting 18 goals at CenturyLink Arena. McParland also led the Steelheads with a plus-23 rating, nine power play goals, and three shorthanded goals. He ranked seventh in the ECHL in power play goals and tied for sixth in shorthanded tallies.

“We’re elated to bring Steve back to Boise for another season. He is a big part of our team identity,” said Graham. “He plays fast and has the ability to push the pace for our group.”

McParland also earned a professional tryout agreement with the Texas Stars during the year, appearing in one AHL game with the Stars in March.

“He has a hard shot and was a major contributor to our success last season,” said Graham. “We expect him to continue to grow this year.”

McParland has appeared in 131 ECHL games across two-plus seasons with Idaho, South Carolina, and Elmira, totaling 51 goals, 108 points, and a plus-28 rating. He represented the Stingrays at the 2017 ECHL All-Star Classic during his rookie season. McParland has also skated in seven AHL games with Texas, Chicago, and the Binghamton Senators, earning an assist.

Prior to turning pro, McParland played four seasons of NCAA Division I hockey at Providence College, collecting 14 goals and 44 points in 129 games and winning a National Championship in 2015.