Steelheads' Zion heading to Europe
January 4, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
BOISE, Idaho - The Idaho Steelheads announced today that defenseman Jonathan Zion has left the team to play for HIFK Helsinki of the SM-Liiga - the Finnish Elite League.
The 24-year-old, Ottawa, Ontario native is currently ranked second in scoring amongst all defenseman in the ECHL with 29 points (10g, 10a) in 25 games and had just been named to the ECHL's 2006 All-Star Team.
Idaho Steelheads Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations, Derek Laxdal, said today, "We obviously can't hold him back from a great career move. This is a great opportunity for him to play in a very good league and it's also a sound financial decision. Jonathan's had a great year for us and we wish him well."
This season represents Zion's fourth as a pro and second with the Idaho Steelheads. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound âoffensive' blueliner had been drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, 4th round (110th overall) in the 1999 NHL Draft. He won the coveted Memorial Cup during his junior career as a member of the 1998-99 Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League.
The Steelheads take to the road tomorrow to play in four cities in five nights - San Diego (Fri.), Long Beach (Sat.), Bakersfield (Mon.), and Stockton (Tue.). Fans can catch all the action on ESPN Radio KTIK The Ticket with Joe O'Donnell calling the play-by-play, or by logging on to www.idahosteelheads. or www.ktik.com. Games can also be watched live through a Webcast ($6 per view) - link available from the Steelheads Website.
ECHL Stories from January 4, 2006
- Alaska Doubles-Up Gulls, 4-2 - San Diego Gulls
- Aces win in San Diego, 4-2 - Alaska Aces
- Checkers' fast start, strong finish downs Columbia, 5-2 - Charlotte Checkers
- King James Crowned as First Condor in NHL - Bakersfield Condors
- Thunder Swoops Up Steve L'Ecuyer - Stockton Thunder
- Backpack Giveaway This Saturday Versus Alaska - Bakersfield Condors
- Royals' Coach Karl Taylor To Lead American Conference All-Stars - Reading Royals
- Bakersfield's McHugh Fined, Suspended Three Games - ECHL
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Steelheads' Zion heading to Europe - Idaho Steelheads
- Fresno's Murphy Fined, Suspended Two Games - ECHL
- ECHL Honors Utah's Kinasewich - Utah Grizzlies
- Weiman Named Runner-Up For Goalie Of The Week Honors - San Diego Gulls
- Grizzlies' Kinasewich Named In Glas Co ECHL Player Of The Week - ECHL
- Phoenix's Henley Fined, Suspended Two Games - ECHL
- Pensacola's Later Fined, Suspended One Game - ECHL
- Pyle Named ECHL All Star Coach for third Consecutive Year - Atlanta Gladiators
- Fields named ECHL Goalie of the Week for December 26th through 31st - Atlanta Gladiators
- San Diego Opens Homestand Against Red-Hot Aces - San Diego Gulls
- Wranglers' All-Star Hambly heading back to Omaha - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Payne officially named All-Star Coach, Beckford-Tseu returns - Alaska Aces
- Stingrays Grab Andersson From Stockton - South Carolina Stingrays
- RoadRunners' Pecker Inks Contract With Binghamton - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Payne, Gulutzan Are National Conference Coaches, Taylor, Pyle Will Coach American Conference - ECHL
- Wranglers' Gulutzan to coach All-Star Team - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Gladiators' Fields Named Reebok Hockey ECHL Goaltender Of The Week - ECHL
- Bombers Add Forward - Dayton Bombers
- ECHL Game of the Week - ECHL
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Ice Pilots Lose to Florida - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Checkers Remain Undefeated Against Stingrays - Charlotte Checkers
- Royals Western Swing Goes Perfect - Reading Royals
- Royals End Wranglers' Home Streak - Las Vegas Wranglers
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.
