BOISE, ID – The Idaho Steelheads (@Steelheads) and Steelheads Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations Everett Sheen announced today the club’s protected list for the 2026-27 season.
The Idaho Steelheads protected list consists of 14 forwards, eight defensemen, and two goaltenders.
Forwards (14): Jack Adams, Nicholas Canade, Brendan Hoffmann, Robbie Holmes, Connor MacEachern, Liam Malmquist, Jade Miller, Mason Nevers, Ty Pelton-Byce, Nick Portz, Grant Silianoff, Jordan Steinmetz, Mitch Wahl, Morgan Winters
Defensemen (8): Matt Anderson, Jeff Baum, Jake Boltmann, Charlie Dodero, Ryan Gagnon, Jason Horvath, Sam Jardine, Nick Young
Goaltenders (2): Jake Barczewski, Beni Halasz
Teams are allowed to protect as many players as they wish provided the players protected meet the guidelines as defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association which state that teams shall retain the rights to each player that:
1. Signed an SPC in 2025-26 with the Member, and has not been traded or released, OR
2. Signed an SPC in 2025-26 and was recalled to the NHL/AHL or IIHF team, and has not been traded or released, OR
3. Had received a Qualifying Offer last summer for the current Season, DID NOT sign an SPC, and has not been traded or released, OR
4. Has been suspended by the Member or League, and has not been traded or released, OR
5. Signed an SPC on or after the first day of the 2025-26 Regular Season, then subsequently signed an NHL/AHL contract, and has not been traded or released, OR
6. Has executed the ECHL Retirement Form and has not been traded or released.
Protected lists may exceed 20 players.
The ECHL also announced that teams must complete all Future Consideration trades by 3 p.m. ET on June 20 and that teams must submit their Season-Ending Roster by 3 p.m. ET on June 22.
Season-ending rosters may include up to 20 players and cannot include any players who did not sign an ECHL contract in 2025-26.
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