ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Key forward returned to Steelheads

Published on April 8, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


BOISE, Idaho - The Idaho Steelheads announced today that forward Garett Bembridge has been reassigned from the American Hockey League's (AHL) Portland Pirates. Bembridge will join Idaho in time for Game 1 of the West Division Semifinals in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April 11th.

Bembridge, loaned to Portland on February 20th, was leading the ECHL in scoring with 75 points (36g-39a) at the time of his departure. The 24-year-old's numbers have held up; in only 52 games played he has finished the season tied for tenth overall in the league in points and tied for third in goals. He is also second in scoring with the Steelheads, behind captain D'Arcy McConvey (currently on recall with the AHL Iowa Stars). In 19 games with Portland, Bembridge accumulated 9 points (6g-3a).

Selected in the fifth round (137th overall) by the New York Rangers in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft and again in the seventh round (207th overall) by the Calgary Flames in the 2001 Entry Draft, Bembridge is playing in his fifth professional season. He scored 56 points (23g-33a) and had 102 penalty minutes in 50 games in Germany in 2004-05. In 2003-04 he split time with Las Vegas, where he scored seven points (4g-3a) in 13 games, and Lowell of the AHL, appearing in 57 games with 14 points (5g-9a). He also played in the AHL with Hartford and Saint John in 2000-03.

With the Steelheads this season, the 6-0, 190-pound winger was named the CCM TACKS ECHL Player of the Month for November, ECHL Player of the Week for November 21-27 after scoring seven points, (3g-4a) in two games against then West Division leader Utah, and a starter on the 2006 ECHL All-Star Team where he notched one assist helping the National Conference to a 7-6 win.

Prior to turning professional, the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native played four years for Saskatoon of the Western Hockey League where he led the Blades in scoring with 78 points (38g-40a) in 2000-01 and has a career total of 188 points (89g-99a) in 218 games.

Other roster notes: Kurt MacSweyn has been moved from the 7-day IR to the 30-day IR retro to March 26th, and Alex Dunn has been placed on the 7-day IR effective April 7th.

The Steelheads open the first round of the ECHL Kelly Cup playoffs with Games 1 and 2 next week (Tuesday and Wednesday) in Las Vegas. Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-seven series will be played at Qwest Arena on Friday, April 14th and Saturday, April 15th. Tickets for Friday's and Saturday's home games are now on sale at the Qwest Arena Box Office and Select-A-Seat outlets, by calling 331-TIXS (8497). Prices range from $12.50 - $33.50. Fans are encouraged to wear white to create a "white out!"

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