Idaho Steelheads
Encyclopedia
The Idaho Steelheads are an American professional minor league ice hockey
team based in Boise
, Idaho
. The team began playing in 1997 and has been a member of the ECHL
since 2003.
During the 2003–04 season and since the 2005–06 season the Steelheads have been an affiliate of the National Hockey League
's Dallas Stars
. The Austin based Texas Stars
have been Idaho's AHL affiliate since the 2009-2010 season
. Home games are played at the 5,000-seat CenturyLink Arena in downtown Boise.
The team was founded by Diamond Sports Management in 1996, headed by Cord Pereira. The Steelheads currently play in the West Division of the ECHL's Western Conference.
The Steelheads are named for a species of seagoing rainbow trout
native to Idaho streams and rivers and popular with local anglers. Despite this, the original primary and alternate logos consisted of a puck bouncing off a hockey mask and the state of Idaho respectively. When the team underwent a rebrand in the 2006–07 season, a trout was included in Idaho's alternate. After the departure of the Victoria Salmon Kings
in 2011, the Steelheads made the trout logo their new primary.
in 1997 along with the Tacoma Sabercats
, Phoenix Mustangs
and Tucson Gila Monsters
, which have all since ceased operations. Former New York Islanders
defenseman Dave Langevin
became Idaho's first head coach. During its inaugural season, in addition to its WCHL schedule the Steelheads played two regular season exhibition games in Boise against the Russian Super League team CKA-Amur (now Amur Khabarovsk
). The Steelheads finished third in the WCHL North Division in 1997–98, but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Anchorage Aces (now Alaska Aces).
Langevin left the team in 1998 and was replaced as head coach by former NHL goaltender Clint Malarchuk
. Under Malarchuk the Steelheads were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in 1998–99 and 1999–2000.
In 2000 Malarchuk was succeeded as head coach by John Olver
, who had coached the Tacoma Sabercats to the WCHL championship in 1998–99. The Steelheads reached the WCHL finals in 2000–01 and 2001–02, but were defeated by the San Diego Gulls
and Fresno Falcons
, respectively.
Although the Steelheads finished with the best record in the WCHL's final season in 2002–03, the Falcons eliminated them in the first round of the playoffs.
, Fresno Falcons, Las Vegas Wranglers
, Long Beach Ice Dogs and San Diego Gulls
- became ECHL members beginning with the 2003–04 season. Idaho won the 2004 Kelly Cup
in its first season in the ECHL
, defeating the Florida Everblades
in the Kelly Cup Finals. The Steelheads were the first team to win the ECHL championship in its first year in the league since the Greensboro Monarchs
won the title in the league's second season of operation (1989–90
).
In 2004–05 the Steelheads were eliminated in the first round of the ECHL playoffs by the Long Beach Ice Dogs. Olver was succeeded as head coach by Derek Laxdal
after the season. In 2005–06 Laxdal guided the team back to the playoffs, but they were eliminated in the second round by the Las Vegas Wranglers.
The Steelheads hosted the 2007 ECHL All-Star Game
in Boise. Later that year the Steelheads won their second Kelly Cup by defeating the Stockton Thunder
, Las Vegas Wranglers and Alaska Aces in the playoffs, and ultimately the Dayton Bombers
in the league finals. Idaho is one of only three active ECHL teams to win multiple league championships, alongside the Toledo Walleye
(which was then known as the Storm prior to suspending operations in 2007 to build their new arena), each with two. The Hampton Roads Admirals
(now in the AHL
as Norfolk
) and the (Charleston
)South Carolina Stingrays
have each won three ECHL championships.
In the 2007–08 playoffs, Idaho was swept in the first round by eventual champions the Alaska Aces, and in the 2008–09
playoffs also lost to Victoria Salmon Kings
in the first round.
In 2009-10, the Steelheads clinched their first Brabham Cup
with one week remaining in the season. They received a bye in the first round of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs
before sweeping the Utah Grizzlies
in the conference semifinals and the Stockton Thunder
in six games to win the National Conference Championship to advance to their 3rd Kelly Cup Finals since joining the league in 2003. They met the Cincinnati Cyclones
in the finals, but lost the series 4-1, with each game being decided by only one goal.
In 2010-2011, Idaho clinched the fifth seed in the National Conference. The Steelheads bested Las Vegas in five games, and were swept in four games in the conference semifinals by Alaska.
. These three teams are the surviving parts of the WCHL, and their history with each other goes back to over a decade.
Three other WCHL refugees, the San Diego Gulls
, Long Beach Ice Dogs, and the Fresno Falcons
have since folded.
Geographically, Idaho's closest oppoent is the Utah Grizzlies
at 345 miles, while the Stockton Thunder
come in at second at 602.
Another rivalry is with the Las Vegas Wranglers
. Both teams have met in the playoffs many times before, so this is usually a typical setting for the playoffs.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in Boise
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. The team began playing in 1997 and has been a member of the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
since 2003.
During the 2003–04 season and since the 2005–06 season the Steelheads have been an affiliate of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
's Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
. The Austin based Texas Stars
Texas Stars
The Texas Stars are an American Hockey League team. They play in Cedar Park, Texas, near Austin.The team is the top affiliate of the NHL Dallas Stars. In April 2008, the Iowa Stars announced that they would no longer affiliate with the Dallas Stars, and changed the team's name to Chops for the...
have been Idaho's AHL affiliate since the 2009-2010 season
2009–10 ECHL season
The 2009–10 ECHL season was the 22nd season of the ECHL. It ran from October, 2009 until April, 2010, followed by the Kelly Cup playoffs which lasted until May 21, 2010 as the Cincinnati Cyclones won their second Kelly Cup championship in three years by defeating the Idaho Steelheads in five games...
. Home games are played at the 5,000-seat CenturyLink Arena in downtown Boise.
The team was founded by Diamond Sports Management in 1996, headed by Cord Pereira. The Steelheads currently play in the West Division of the ECHL's Western Conference.
The Steelheads are named for a species of seagoing rainbow trout
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
native to Idaho streams and rivers and popular with local anglers. Despite this, the original primary and alternate logos consisted of a puck bouncing off a hockey mask and the state of Idaho respectively. When the team underwent a rebrand in the 2006–07 season, a trout was included in Idaho's alternate. After the departure of the Victoria Salmon Kings
Victoria Salmon Kings
The Victoria Salmon Kings were a professional ice hockey team based in Victoria, British Columbia. They were members of the Mountain Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL, debuting in the 2004–05 ECHL season and folding after the 2010–11 ECHL season as the Chilliwack Bruins WHL franchise...
in 2011, the Steelheads made the trout logo their new primary.
West Coast Hockey League (1997–2003)
The Steelheads began play as part of a four-team expansion in the West Coast Hockey LeagueWest Coast Hockey League
The West Coast Hockey League was a professional minor ice hockey league active in the western United States from 1995 to 2003. The number of teams ranged from six to nine. The teams were located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Washington...
in 1997 along with the Tacoma Sabercats
Tacoma Sabercats
The Tacoma Sabercats were an American professional minor league ice hockey team based in Tacoma, Washington. The team began play in the West Coast Hockey League as of the 1997-98 season....
, Phoenix Mustangs
Phoenix Mustangs
The Phoenix Mustangs were a professional minor league ice hockey team in the West Coast Hockey League. The Mustangs played at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair, from the 1997-1998 season through the 2000-2001 season...
and Tucson Gila Monsters
Tucson Gila Monsters
The Tucson Gila Monsters were a short-lived American professional minor league ice hockey team based in Tucson, Arizona. The team played throughout the 1997-98 season, but folded after 21 games during the 1998-99 season....
, which have all since ceased operations. Former New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
defenseman Dave Langevin
Dave Langevin
David Richard "Bam Bam" Langevin is a retired American ice hockey defenseman who played 216 games for the WHA Edmonton Oilers as well as 513 games for the NHL New York Islanders, Minnesota North Stars and Los Angeles Kings between 1977 and 1987...
became Idaho's first head coach. During its inaugural season, in addition to its WCHL schedule the Steelheads played two regular season exhibition games in Boise against the Russian Super League team CKA-Amur (now Amur Khabarovsk
Amur Khabarovsk
Amur Khabarovsk is a professional hockey team based in Khabarovsk, Russia playing in the Kontinental Hockey League...
). The Steelheads finished third in the WCHL North Division in 1997–98, but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Anchorage Aces (now Alaska Aces).
Langevin left the team in 1998 and was replaced as head coach by former NHL goaltender Clint Malarchuk
Clint Malarchuk
Clint Malarchuk , is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League between 1981 and 1992, and is currently an assistant coach with the Calgary Flames...
. Under Malarchuk the Steelheads were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in 1998–99 and 1999–2000.
In 2000 Malarchuk was succeeded as head coach by John Olver
John Olver (coach)
John Olver is a Canadian ice hockey player and coach known for his league championship teams in the West Coast Hockey League and ECHL....
, who had coached the Tacoma Sabercats to the WCHL championship in 1998–99. The Steelheads reached the WCHL finals in 2000–01 and 2001–02, but were defeated by the San Diego Gulls
San Diego Gulls (1995-2006)
The third San Diego Gulls team was founded in 1995 immediately upon departure of the IHL team. The new Gulls were a part of the West Coast Hockey League. The Gulls played at the San Diego Sports Arena, formerly known as the "iPayOne Center."-History:...
and Fresno Falcons
Fresno Falcons
The Fresno Falcons are a defunct minor league hockey team. They were once members of the ECHL . They were located in Fresno, California.-Early history:...
, respectively.
Although the Steelheads finished with the best record in the WCHL's final season in 2002–03, the Falcons eliminated them in the first round of the playoffs.
ECHL (2003–present)
In 2003 the WCHL was absorbed by the ECHL and folded. The Steelheads, along with several other WCHL-affiliated teams - namely the Alaska Aces, Bakersfield CondorsBakersfield Condors
The Bakersfield Condors are a minor league ice hockey team based in Bakersfield, California. The team plays in the Pacific Division of the ECHL's Western Conference. The Condors join the Houston Aeros as an affiliate of the Minnesota Wild in the National Hockey League...
, Fresno Falcons, Las Vegas Wranglers
Las Vegas Wranglers
The Las Vegas Wranglers are a professional ice hockey team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wranglers are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL...
, Long Beach Ice Dogs and San Diego Gulls
San Diego Gulls (1995-2006)
The third San Diego Gulls team was founded in 1995 immediately upon departure of the IHL team. The new Gulls were a part of the West Coast Hockey League. The Gulls played at the San Diego Sports Arena, formerly known as the "iPayOne Center."-History:...
- became ECHL members beginning with the 2003–04 season. Idaho won the 2004 Kelly Cup
Kelly Cup
The Patrick J. Kelly Cup goes to the play-off champion of the ECHL. The Kelly Cup has been awarded to teams since 1997. Prior to 1997, the playoff winner was awarded the Riley Cup. The current cup is named after Patrick J. Kelly, the league's first commissioner. The cup is loaned to the winning...
in its first season in the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
, defeating the Florida Everblades
Florida Everblades
The Florida Everblades are an ECHL ice hockey team playing in the Southeast Division. The team is based in Estero, Florida and plays at Germain Arena . The team has existed since 1998...
in the Kelly Cup Finals. The Steelheads were the first team to win the ECHL championship in its first year in the league since the Greensboro Monarchs
Greensboro Monarchs
The Greensboro Monarchs were a professional ice hockey team based in Greensboro, NC. The Monarchs joined the East Coast Hockey League as an expansion franchise prior to the start of the 1989-90 season and surrendered the franchise to the league when the Monarchs joined the AHL at the conclusion of...
won the title in the league's second season of operation (1989–90
1989–90 ECHL season
The 1989-90 ECHL season was the second season of the ECHL. The league brought back all five teams from the inaugural season and added three more franchises in Greensboro, North Carolina, Nashville, Tennessee, and Norfolk, Virginia. Before the season began, the Carolina Thunderbirds changed their...
).
In 2004–05 the Steelheads were eliminated in the first round of the ECHL playoffs by the Long Beach Ice Dogs. Olver was succeeded as head coach by Derek Laxdal
Derek Laxdal
Derek Laxdal is a former professional ice hockey right winger. Currently, he is the head coach of the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings. He led the Idaho Steelheads to the Kelly Cup as ECHL champions in the 2006–07 season....
after the season. In 2005–06 Laxdal guided the team back to the playoffs, but they were eliminated in the second round by the Las Vegas Wranglers.
The Steelheads hosted the 2007 ECHL All-Star Game
ECHL All-Star Game
The ECHL All-Star Game is an exhibition ice hockey game that traditionally marks the midway point of the ECHL's regular season, with many of the league's star players playing against each other. The starting lineup for the two teams, including the starting goaltender, is voted on by the coaches,...
in Boise. Later that year the Steelheads won their second Kelly Cup by defeating the Stockton Thunder
Stockton Thunder
The Stockton Thunder are a minor league professional ice hockey team from Stockton, California. The Thunder are a member of the ECHL, and began playing in the 2005–06 season. The Stockton Arena is their home ice, providing a capacity for 9,737 fans...
, Las Vegas Wranglers and Alaska Aces in the playoffs, and ultimately the Dayton Bombers
Dayton Bombers
The Dayton Bombers were an ECHL ice hockey team located in Dayton, Ohio. The team most recently was in the North Division of the ECHL's American Conference....
in the league finals. Idaho is one of only three active ECHL teams to win multiple league championships, alongside the Toledo Walleye
Toledo Walleye
The Toledo Walleye are a professional ice hockey team based in Toledo, Ohio. The Walleye are members of the North Division of the Eastern Conference of the ECHL...
(which was then known as the Storm prior to suspending operations in 2007 to build their new arena), each with two. The Hampton Roads Admirals
Hampton Roads Admirals
The Hampton Roads Admirals were an American professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They played in Norfolk, Virginia at the Norfolk Scope Arena....
(now in the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
as Norfolk
Norfolk Admirals
The Norfolk Admirals are a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Admirals play in Norfolk, Virginia, at the Norfolk Scope.-History:...
) and the (Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
)South Carolina Stingrays
South Carolina Stingrays
The South Carolina Stingrays are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in North Charleston, South Carolina. The Stingrays play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. They play their home games at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Carolina Ice Palace, also located in...
have each won three ECHL championships.
In the 2007–08 playoffs, Idaho was swept in the first round by eventual champions the Alaska Aces, and in the 2008–09
2008–09 ECHL season
The 2008-09 ECHL season was the 21st of the ECHL. The league welcomed one new franchise, the Ontario Reign, which will relocate from Beaumont, Texas and will play at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA. Two teams, the Columbia Inferno and the Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz, will voluntary...
playoffs also lost to Victoria Salmon Kings
Victoria Salmon Kings
The Victoria Salmon Kings were a professional ice hockey team based in Victoria, British Columbia. They were members of the Mountain Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL, debuting in the 2004–05 ECHL season and folding after the 2010–11 ECHL season as the Chilliwack Bruins WHL franchise...
in the first round.
In 2009-10, the Steelheads clinched their first Brabham Cup
Brabham Cup
The Henry Brabham Cup is the trophy awarded annually by the ECHL to the team which finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season...
with one week remaining in the season. They received a bye in the first round of the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs
2010 Kelly Cup playoffs
The 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs of the ECHL began April 5, 2010. 15 teams qualified, eight from the American Conference and seven from the National Conference. In the American conference, the winners of each of the three divisions plus the five teams with the highest point totals from the teams...
before sweeping the Utah Grizzlies
Utah Grizzlies
The Utah Grizzlies are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play out of West Valley City, Utah, United States, with their home games at the Maverik Center.- Franchise history :...
in the conference semifinals and the Stockton Thunder
Stockton Thunder
The Stockton Thunder are a minor league professional ice hockey team from Stockton, California. The Thunder are a member of the ECHL, and began playing in the 2005–06 season. The Stockton Arena is their home ice, providing a capacity for 9,737 fans...
in six games to win the National Conference Championship to advance to their 3rd Kelly Cup Finals since joining the league in 2003. They met the Cincinnati Cyclones
Cincinnati Cyclones
The Cincinnati Cyclones are a professional hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team is a member of the ECHL. Founded in 1990, the team first played their games in the Cincinnati Gardens and now play at U.S. Bank Arena....
in the finals, but lost the series 4-1, with each game being decided by only one goal.
In 2010-2011, Idaho clinched the fifth seed in the National Conference. The Steelheads bested Las Vegas in five games, and were swept in four games in the conference semifinals by Alaska.
Current roster
| Title | Staff member |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Hardy Sauter |
| Athletic Trainer | Jason Switzer |
| Equipment Manager | Khris Bestel |
Championships
| Year | League | Trophy |
|---|---|---|
| 2003–2004 | ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
Kelly Cup Kelly Cup The Patrick J. Kelly Cup goes to the play-off champion of the ECHL. The Kelly Cup has been awarded to teams since 1997. Prior to 1997, the playoff winner was awarded the Riley Cup. The current cup is named after Patrick J. Kelly, the league's first commissioner. The cup is loaned to the winning... |
| 2006–2007 | ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
Kelly Cup Kelly Cup The Patrick J. Kelly Cup goes to the play-off champion of the ECHL. The Kelly Cup has been awarded to teams since 1997. Prior to 1997, the playoff winner was awarded the Riley Cup. The current cup is named after Patrick J. Kelly, the league's first commissioner. The cup is loaned to the winning... |
| 2009–2010 | ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
Brabham Cup Brabham Cup The Henry Brabham Cup is the trophy awarded annually by the ECHL to the team which finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season... |
Rivalries
The Steelheads' most notable rivals are the Alaska Aces, and the Bakersfield CondorsBakersfield Condors
The Bakersfield Condors are a minor league ice hockey team based in Bakersfield, California. The team plays in the Pacific Division of the ECHL's Western Conference. The Condors join the Houston Aeros as an affiliate of the Minnesota Wild in the National Hockey League...
. These three teams are the surviving parts of the WCHL, and their history with each other goes back to over a decade.
Three other WCHL refugees, the San Diego Gulls
San Diego Gulls
The San Diego Gulls is the name of four different minor league professional ice hockey teams based in San Diego, California.* San Diego Gulls , a team in the Western Hockey League...
, Long Beach Ice Dogs, and the Fresno Falcons
Fresno Falcons
The Fresno Falcons are a defunct minor league hockey team. They were once members of the ECHL . They were located in Fresno, California.-Early history:...
have since folded.
Geographically, Idaho's closest oppoent is the Utah Grizzlies
Utah Grizzlies
The Utah Grizzlies are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play out of West Valley City, Utah, United States, with their home games at the Maverik Center.- Franchise history :...
at 345 miles, while the Stockton Thunder
Stockton Thunder
The Stockton Thunder are a minor league professional ice hockey team from Stockton, California. The Thunder are a member of the ECHL, and began playing in the 2005–06 season. The Stockton Arena is their home ice, providing a capacity for 9,737 fans...
come in at second at 602.
Another rivalry is with the Las Vegas Wranglers
Las Vegas Wranglers
The Las Vegas Wranglers are a professional ice hockey team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wranglers are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL...
. Both teams have met in the playoffs many times before, so this is usually a typical setting for the playoffs.