ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Shorthanded Idaho gets help from Iowa

Published on January 8, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, Idaho - The Idaho Steelheads announced they have been loaned goaltender Steve Silverthorn and forward J.B. Bittner from their AHL affiliate, the Iowa Stars. Silverthorn is slated to start in tonight's game in Phoenix as Idaho begins a three-game series against the RoadRunners.

The 6-2 and 190-pound Silverthorn made his AHL debut on Friday night in Hamilton, Ontario. The Owen Sound, Ontario native stopped all 32 shots to earn a shutout victory in his first AHL game. The following evening in Toronto he blanked the Marlies on all of 24 shots, becoming the first Iowa Stars netminder to earn back-to-back shutouts. He also now owns the franchise record for the longest sequence, 120 minutes, of shutout hockey.

Silverthorn's impressive AHL debut has earned him the attention of some national publications, and he was today interviewed by NHL.com and The Hockey News for their next editions.

With Idaho, Silverthorn has a record of 15 wins, 10 losses, 1 overtime loss and 1 shootout loss along with a .897 save percentage, a 2.99 goals-against average and one shutout for the Steelheads this season. The second-year professional was named the ECHL Rbk Hockey Goaltender of the Week for the period ending November 5th, 2006 and was also selected as the ECHL Saver of the Month for October.

He dressed several times for Iowa last season, but did not appear in game action. Last season with Idaho, he compiled a record of 22-14-3 in 40 games. His rookie season saw him earn a 2.90 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. Prior to turning pro, the 25-year-old enjoyed a successful four-year career at Colgate University from 2001-05.

Bittner joined the Iowa Stars on January 1st in a trade after playing 30 games with the Augusta Lynx of the ECHL and two games with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League (AHL). While not able to record a point with Portland, the 24-year-old Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-native has notched 11 goals, 19 assists and 26 penalty minutes with the Lynx. Last season, the 5-11, 181-pounder recorded 10 goals and 29 assists in 51 games for the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL, five goals and three assists in 21 games for Portland and one goal in two games for the Syracuse Crunch. He appeared in one game for Iowa, recording no points.

Tickets are available for the 2007 RBK ECHL All-Star Game on January 17th at Qwest Arena and can be purchased via www.idahosteelheads.com (using the all-new, print-at-home feature), by calling 331-TIXS or from the Qwest Arena box office.

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