Steelheads Defend Championship With Veteran Captain Flichel
July 20, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
Boise, Idaho - The ECHL's Idaho Steelheads, affiliate of the NHL's Dallas Stars and AHL's Iowa Stars, today announced Marty Flichel, captain of last season's Kelly Cup championship team, has signed a one-year contract and will wear a Steelheads sweater for the 2007-08 season. Terms of the contract are not disclosed, per club policy.
The veteran forward, who is entering into his fifth season with Idaho, 11th professional, had a career-high season in 2006-07 as the team's leading scorer with 87 points, 39 goals and 48 assists. He finished tied for third in the ECHL in goals scored and fourth overall in points. Flichel tallied 22 points (9 goals, 13 assists) in 22 postseason games, which ranked second behind teammate Lance Galbraith (27 points, 11 goals, 16 assists). In April, he was named to the All-ECHL 1st Team, in a vote of ECHL coaches and media, becoming the first Steelheads player to gather the accomplishment.
"Winning the championship was incredible and I'm really looking forward to defending it," said Flichel. He added, "Not to mention, Boise is home for my family and I and we love living here. Having the opportunity to play hockey here makes it even more special."
Flichel, 5-foot-9 and 195-pounds, was drafted by the Dallas Stars 9th round, 228th overall in 1994. His career has spanned the WHL, IHL, BISL, WCHL, UHL and ECHL. The 31-year-old hails from Hodgeville, Saskatchewan. He is married to wife Rachel and together they have one daughter, 22-month-old Brinley.
The Steelheads home opener is Friday, October 19th against the Victoria SalmonKings. A variety of Season Ticket Plans including a new Family Flex Plan are now available by calling (208) 383.0080 or visiting the team's website at www.idahosteelheads.com.
About the ECHL Celebrating its 20th Anniversary as the Premier "AA" Hockey League in 2007-08, the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that will have 25 teams in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08. The 25 teams includes the Mississippi (Biloxi) Sea Wolves, who return after missing two seasons in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the expansion Elmira (NY) Jackals.
Opening day for the 20th Anniversary Season will be Oct. 18th when the Johnstown Chiefs host the Wheeling Nailers at Cambria County War Memorial in a rematch of Game 7 from the first-ever ECHL Finals.
The ECHL will play 900 games beginning Oct. 18 and concluding Apr. 5th. The conference and division alignments and the format for the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs will be determined and approved at a later date by the ECHL Board of Governors.
ECHL Stories from July 20, 2007
- Bombers Co-Head Coach Makes Move to NHL - Dayton Bombers
- Steelheads Defend Championship With Veteran Captain Flichel - Idaho Steelheads
- Checkers Announce Hockey Operations Staff - Charlotte Checkers
- Forward Bittner signs on with 'Blades - Florida Everblades
- Wildcatters Sign CIS Top Scorer - Texas Wildcatters
- Thornton Jersey Donated To Falcons Face Off Against Kids Cancer - Fresno Falcons
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