ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Announce Roster Moves

Published on March 8, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


(Boise, ID) - Head coach and director of hockey operations Hardy Sauter announced a flurry of roster moves Tuesday afternoon prior to the team's Tuesday-night game in Bakersfield.

First, the team announced that forward Michael Neal and defenseman Guillaume Monast have been reassigned to the Steelheads by the American Hockey League's Texas Stars. In 15 games with Idaho's AHL affiliate this season, Neal has three goals. Monast has one assist and a plus-2 rating in nine games with Texas. Neal had 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) in 36 games prior to his recall to Texas while Monast had eight points (1 goal, 7 assists) in 41 before he was called up. They have rejoined the team and are expected to play Tuesday night.

Both skaters are under contract with the NHL's Dallas Stars and in their second seasons on assignment with the Steelheads. Idaho (ECHL) and Texas (AHL) are the primary development affiliates of the Dallas Stars.

Also, Sauter announced that goaltender Kris Westblom has been signed to an amateur tryout agreement. Westblom, 23, just concluded his college career at Acadia University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Westblom finished strong for the Axemen, including a pair of 1-0 shutout wins in the first round of the playoffs. Then, during the second round, Westblom turned aside 75 of 78 shots in a four-overtime loss to the University of New Brunswick. In all, Westblom was credited with 157 saves on 168 shots (.935 save percentage) in the four-game series against UNB, the top-ranked Canadian college hockey team.

Prior to his time at Acadia, Westblom played for the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League.

The Steelheads return home on March 23 to begin "Pink in the Rink" week at Qwest Arena. The Steelheads will host the Ontario Reign on March 23, 25, and 26, wearing specially-themed pink jerseys that will be auctioned off to raise money to help fight breast cancer. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.

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