STEELHEADS RECRUITING
Welcome to the Idaho Steelheads recruiting website. Please take a minute to see what the Steelheads organization and team can offer to you.
QUOTES FROM FORMER STEELHEADS
Playing for the Idaho Steelheads you see what true champions are, it's been an amazing feeling playing in front of the wonderful fans in Boise, It's truly the best place to play hockey.
Taggart Desmet
Forward | Idaho Steelheads
Boise has everything that a big city has to offer except the big city! Boise was a great place to start my pro career and provided me with a chance to play in the AHL and win a Kelly Cup! Coach Laxdal is very structured as a coach and motivates his players to be the best player they can be!
Greg Rallo
Forward | Idaho Steelheads
Who are the Idaho Steelheads"
The Idaho Steelheads are a minor league ice hockey team in Boise, Idaho. They were originally part of the West Coast Hockey League, but survived the jump from the WCHL to the East Coast Hockey League in 2003 after the ECHL absorbed the league. Since the 2005-06 season the Steelheads have been affiliates of the NHL Dallas Stars and the AHL Iowa Stars. Home games are played at the 5,000-seat Qwest Arena in downtown Boise.
The Steelheads play in the West Division of the ECHL's National Conference. The Steelheads won the 2004 Kelly Cup in their first season in the ECHL, defeating the Florida Everblades in the Kelly Cup Finals.
The Steelheads hosted the 2007 ECHL All-Star Game in Boise.
On May 15, 2007, the Steelheads advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals by defeating the Alaska Aces 3-2 in game 5 of the ECHL National Conference Finals.
Before defeating the Alaska Aces four games to one in the National Conference Finals to reach the Kelly Cup Finals, Idaho beat both the Stockton Thunder and Las Vegas Wranglers four games to two in the 2007 ECHL National Conference Quarter Final and Semi Final rounds, respectively.
During the 2006-07 regular season, the Las Vegas Wranglers (106 points) and the Alaska Aces (105 points) finished with the 1st and 2nd most points in the league, respectively. In defeating both the Las Vegas Wranglers and the Alaska Aces in the 2007 Kelly Cup Playoffs, the Steelheads (90 points) defeated the top two teams in the league on their way to the Kelly Cup Finals.
On May 31, 2007 the Steelheads won their second Kelly Cup championship by defeating the Dayton Bombers four games to one. The Idaho Steelheads became the fourth team to win multiple ECHL championships joining the Toledo Storm, the Hampton Roads Admirals and the South Carolina Stingrays.
Idaho Steelheads NHL/AHL Affiliate
>> NHL AFFILIATE: DALLAS STARS
The Steelheads have been affiliated with the Dallas Stars for three solid years. Dan Ellis, B.J. Crombeen, Zenon Konopka, are a few NHLer’s that have played for the Steelheads in their 5 year history.
>> AHL AFFILIATE: COMING SOON
The Idaho Steelheads will loan players to all AHL teams during the 08-09 season. The Steelheads have a great track record with free agent players being recalled and signed to AHL contracts in the last three years!
>> IDAHO STEELHEADS CALL-UP LIST
- Kellen Briggs Goaltender |
Rockford IceHogs | 
Houston Aeros
- Jeremy Scherlinck Defenseman |
Iowa Stars
- Mark Bomersback Forward | Iowa Stars
- Greg Rallo Center |
Albany River Rats | Rockford Ice Hogs | 
Manitoba Moose
- Darrell Hay Defenseman |
Grand Rapids Griffins
Why play for the Idaho Steelheads
So why would YOU want to play for the Idaho Steelheads? Here's a few reasons why players love playing for the Idaho Steelheads.
- We know how to win, and what it takes to get there. 2 Kelly Cups in 4 years in the ECHL
- Training camp held in picturesque McCall Idaho. We enjoy a week up in the beautiful mountains of McCall Idaho, where we stay at the 4 star resort of White Tail ResortWhite tail resort is a 5 star resort where the Steelheads enjoy plenty of golf, biking and much more. You're treated like a king while preparing for the upcoming grueling season.
- The Steelheads are a 1st class organization! With over 10 years of running a hockey team we treat our staff and players the best of the ECHL. We provide excellent amenities, as well as meals and much more. We want your time here with the Idaho Steelheads to be the best experience in your hockey career and do everything we can to make that happen.
- Best city in ECHL and Minor League Sports
- BEST FANS! We take pride in having the best fans of the ECHL and enjoy many sellouts during the year. Our fans get rowdy and loud as they support the Idaho Steelheads.
- Want to be seen world wide? The Idaho Steelheads are on NHL network at least 10 times a year.
Idaho Steelheads facilities
>> QWEST ARENA
The Idaho Steelheads play at Qwest Arena located in downtown Boise. Qwest Arena has all the amenities and features you'd want. A 5,000 seating arena, great ice crew
Idaho Steelheads Coaches
The Idaho Steelheads have one of the top coaching staff in the ECHL, and know how to put together a winning team. From the head coach, to the equipment manager we have everything to ensure you're well looked after
>> HEAD COACH | DEREK LAXDAL
The Idaho Steelheads are coached by former NHL player Derek Laxdal. Coach Laxdal is a level 4 master coach of Hockey Canada's coaching certification program. Andy Murray of the St. Louis Blues, Ken Hitchcock of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit's Mike Babcock are some of the other master coaches.
Derek has been a part of many championships (82-83 Memorial Cup/Portland Winterhawks WHL, 85-86 Canada's National Junior Team, 89-90 AHL Calder Cup Champions/Springfield Indians AHL, 06-07 ECHL Kelly Cup Champions/Idaho Steelheads ECHL)
>> ATHLETIC THERAPIST | BRAD JELLIS
Brad Jellis is the trainer for the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL, and the Boise Burn of the af2. Brad strives to help the players rehab and help strengthen themselves on and off the ice. Brad's services are provided by St Idaho Lukes Rehabilitation Services.
>> EQUIPMENT MANAGER | KHRIS BESTEL
Khris is in his seventh season as the equipment manager for the Idaho Steelheads. He came to the Steelheads from the Toledo Storm in the ECHL, where he worked two seasons as the Storm’s equipment manager. Khris was recognized last season by the league when he was selected as the 2006 ECHL All-Star Equipment Manager. An off-season resident of Portland, Oregon, Khris enjoys traveling in his spare time.
>> LOCKER ROOM FACILITIES
We have worked hard to give our players and coaches the best locker room facility in the ECHL. Loaded with couches, weights, NHL network on a large flat screen tv, relaxing sauna, 4 new spin bikes and a treadmill to warm up and cool down before you can hit the gold”s gym. We provide everything to ensure you can relax and get ready for that big game.
>> TRAINING FACILITY
The Idaho Steelheads have a secondary training facility ICE WORLD located about 1 mile from players apartments.
>> WORKOUT FACILITIES
The Idaho Steelheads provide excellent workout facilities to help get you in top condition. Players enjoy working out at GOLDS GYM located in the Grove Hotel and Parkcenter.
Idaho Steelheads Player Amenities
Boise has a lot to offer click here to see some images of Boise, then read below for more information on the other amenities Boise and the Steelheads have to offer.
>> APARTMENTS
Idaho Steelheads players enjoy relaxing in fully furnished modern apartments at The Village at Columbia located 10 minutes from both Qwest Arena and the Boise Airport and minutes away from Albertsons grocery store.
. Everything from pots, pans, furniture and tv's linens are all taken care of for you. We want you to focus on hockey while with the Steelheads and do everything possible to make your living experience positive.
>> TRAVEL AIRLINES
The Idaho Steelheads fly to all road games, and players have the luxury of accumulating air miles. Players are picked up at the apartments by taxi.
Why Boise?
From fishing, golf and hiking Boise has been rated as one of the top places to live. Here are a few reasons many former Idaho Steelheads players have chosen Boise as their home.
>> DINING / BARS
Boise has many excellent restaurants and dining options. Steelheads players are rewarded with segment meals when they achieve a possible 10 to 16 points of a 8 game segment.
Players frequent such bars as Humpin Hannah's, Dirty Little Roddy's and other establishments located a block away from Qwest Arena.
>> ENTERTAINMENT
Nightlife in Downtown Boise is vibrant, active with live music in the Bodo nightclubs, bars, and lounges offering a night of fun filled entertainment. You can get an early start at Alive After Five Summer Concerts Series then have a couple of laughs at the Funny Bone Comedy Club or dance the night away to live music at any of the Boise downtown nightclubs. Each month on the First Thursday the Downtown Boise Association offers visitors the opportunity to leisurely shop the unique downtown merchants, art galleries, and dine at downtown Boise restaurants from 5 to 9pm.
Whether you're a local looking for new Boise nightlife entertainment ideas or you're from out of town wondering where the locals go in Boise for a good time you can find things to do in Boise and the Treasure Valley here. Stay online and browse the listings of community activities, Idaho sporting events, annual holiday festivals, seasonal recreational activities and performing arts productions including Idaho concerts coming soon.
Entertainment Info in Boise
>> FISHING
Boise has great fishing with a number of Blue Ribbon fishing streams,and excellent mountains to enjoy on your time off.
Fishing Info in Boise
>> HUNTING
Boise is a superb spot for hunting. The major big-game species that live in the Boise Forest are mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, mountain goat, black bear, and mountain lion. Game bird species that are hunted include turkey, blue grouse, spruce grouse, chukar partridge, gray (Hungarian) partridge, California quail, and mountain quail.
Hunting Info in Boise
>> GOLF
Idaho Steelheads players enjoy excellent golf courses here in the Treasure Valley. Check out the courses below where the Steelheads have the luxury of golfing.
The Idaho Steelheads players golf for free at the following golf courses
