Goaltender Ryan Faragher returning to Steelheads

Boise, ID (8/16/18) – Steelheads Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced on Thursday that the Idaho Steelheads have agreed to terms with goaltender Ryan Faragher on an ECHL contract for the 2018-19 season.

Faragher, 28, prepares for his fifth professional season after playing his first campaign with Idaho in 2017-18. The Fort Frances, Ontario native appeared in 20 games with the Steelheads last season, posting a record of 10-7-1 with a 2.77 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage, along with two shutouts.

The 6-foot-2 Faragher earned a professional tryout agreement to finish the season in the American Hockey League with the Stockton Heat, where he was 4-1-0 in six appearances with a 1.55 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage.

“Ryan is an elite goalie who has had proven success at both the ECHL and AHL levels,” said Graham. “He brings experience, confidence, and competitiveness to the ice every day.”

Faragher gave up two goals or fewer in six starts for Idaho before leaving for Stockton in early February. Prior to his departure, he won four of his final five outings.

“I’m excited to be back,” said Faragher. “We have a great group of guys returning and I’m looking forward to getting to know the new faces and getting to work come October.”

Faragher is a three-time winner of the ECHL’s Goaltender of the Week award, having appeared in 123 career ECHL games over four seasons with the Steelheads and Utah Grizzlies. In the ECHL, Faragher has posted a career goals-against average of 2.70 and a save percentage of .907, supporting a 61-43-12 record and eight shutouts.

In 26 career AHL games with Stockton, San Diego, and Norfolk, Faragher is 10-13-2 with a 2.57 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.

Faragher is the second goaltender added by the Steelheads this off-season, joining second-year goaltender Tomas Sholl.