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ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads bring back Zion and add offensive duo

September 20, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


BOISE, ID - The Idaho Steelheads Hockey Club announced today it has signed defenseman Jonathan Zion and a pair of rookie centers, Brad Thompson and Dan Hacker, to contracts for the 2005-06 season.

Zion, a Toronto Maple Leafs 4th round selection in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, has an eight-year career spanning the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), American Hockey League (AHL) and ECHL. He won the 1999 OHL Championship and Memorial Cup with the Ottawa 67's, and in 2001 won the OHL Championship and played in Memorial Cup Finals. As an ‘offensive' defenseman, the 6'1", 205-lb, 24-year-old, notched 37 points (7 goals, 30 assists, 54 penalty minutes) with the Steelheads last season.

Head coach Derek Laxdal said, "Zion's experience combined with his determination to succeed will make him a leader both on and off the ice this year." Of the two rookies, Laxdal added, "Thompson and Hacker are both solid left-handed centermen who are coming out of good programs and when I saw them become available, I moved forward to sign them."

Thompson, 24, played the last four seasons (2001-05) with Minnesota State University - Mankato. As team captain last year, he tallied a personal high 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists, 24 penalty minutes) in 38 games. The St. Louis Park, Minnesota native was one of two players to see action in all 38 games and is one of only 80 players in the history of the program to appear in at least 100 career games. After ending his NCAA career in 2005, Thompson signed on with the ECHL's Reading Royals where he suited up for seven regular season games, and three playoff games. Prior to his collegiate career, he played two seasons in the United States Hockey League (USHL).

Hacker is a 6'1", 195-lb forward out of the University of Nebraska-Omaha. In four collegiate seasons, Hacker played in 156 games, scoring 79 points (39 goals, 40 assists, 108 penalty minutes), including a career-high 25 points (14 goals, 11 assists, 40 penalty minutes) in 39 games his senior year. The 23-year old's many achievements include scoring two game-winning goals against Notre Dame and Ohio State in his sophomore year, earning the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) All-Rookie Honorable Mention in 2002, and the Mike Rehmeier Biggest Heart Award in 2004. Prior to attending college, Hacker played two seasons (1999-2001) in the USHL with the Omaha Lancers.

The Idaho Steelheads Hockey Club opens its third ECHL season at home on October 21st against the Long Beach Ice Dogs.

Steelheads' season ticket packages for the 2005-06 campaign are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased by calling 208.383.0080. A variety of packages are available, including Full Season Tickets, Flex Plans, Suite Rentals, Group Outings and a NEW 12-pack Weekend Mini Plan starting at just $169.

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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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