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ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Game Day Storylines- vs Utah

October 14, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Steel Reel

Opening Day is finally upon us, and the Idaho Steelheads will kick off their 20th Anniversary season against their closest geographical rival, the Utah Grizzlies. The Steelheads and Grizzlies figure to be battling each other for positioning in the standings once again this season, with a few more tough opponents thrown into the mix in the challenging new Mountain Division.

The Steelheads announced their Opening Day roster on Thursday afternoon, a roster that names seven returning players from last season. Also back in the fold from the 2014-15 squad are defenseman Charlie Dodero and goaltender Henri Kiviaho. The Steelheads launch their season with seven former NHL Draft picks on the roster, as well as a player with NHL experience in Kellan Lain.

We Meet Again...

It certainly shouldn't take long for these teams to get acquainted, as they have already faced off twice in preseason action. The Steelheads lost both meetings, with the second game finishing in overtime at CenturyLink Arena. By the time the Grizzlies leave Boise on October 22nd, these teams will have played six consecutive contests against each other.

Still Steelheads fans are no strangers to opening the schedule against their rivals from Salt Lake. In four of the past five seasons, the Steelheads' first opponent has been the Grizzlies. In the past ten seasons, the Steelheads have started their schedule against the Grizzlies five times, winning twice with both victories coming at Maverik Center.

Lins on the List

Rob Linsmayer is coming off the best offensive season of his career, and he enters Friday night's game approaching a milestone. Linsmayer is two points shy of 100 for his professional career and four points short of 100 as an Idaho Steelhead. As the Steelheads begin their 20th season (14th in ECHL), only 11 other players in the ECHL era have scored 100 points in a Steelheads uniform. Linsmayer had four goals and 11 assists against Utah last season.

About the Grizzlies...

The Grizzlies have gone through some changes over the summer. Gone are scoring threats Matt Berry, Alex Krushelnyski, and Barry Almeida. The Grizzlies are also without playmaker Charles Sarault. Yet the Grizzlies have retooled with new weapons, and one high-powered scorer back in the fold. Jordan Samuels-Thomas joins the Grizzlies this season after two years in the AHL, coming off a particularly impressive 12 goal, 22 point campaign in 58 games with the Ontario Reign. Rookie Shane Walsh recorded 30 points in his senior season at UMass, and former Winnipeg Jets prospect Austen Brassard also joins Utah after three AHL seasons and 59 points. Most interesting may be Mathieu Aubin, who missed all of last season due to an injury sustained against the Steelheads in preseason. Aubin is back in the lineup and had the overtime winner in the final game of the preseason on Tuesday. Aubin has 447 points in his pro career.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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