The Idaho Steelheads are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in Boise, Idaho. They are members of the ECHL (formerly known as the East Coast Hockey League) and serve as an affiliate to the NHL’s Dallas Stars and AHL’s Texas Stars.
Quick Answers
The Idaho Steelheads play their home games at Idaho Central Arena in downtown Boise. The arena has a capacity of 5,000 for hockey games. The Steelheads have played at Idaho Central Arena since their inaugural season in 1997.
The Steelheads are one of the ECHL’s most successful franchises, having won 3 Kelly Cup championships in 2004, 2007, and 2010. They have qualified for the playoffs in 22 of their 25 seasons.
Idaho Central Arena
Idaho Central Arena is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena located in downtown Boise. The arena was completed in 1997 and serves as the home of the Idaho Steelheads ECHL hockey team. It hosts over 150 events per year including hockey games, concerts, family shows, and other sporting events.
The arena features modern amenities and excellent sight lines for hockey games. The lower bowl has 3,000 chair-back seats and the upper bowl has 2,000 bench seats. There are 24 luxury suites and a club lounge area. The concourses are spacious with concession stands and murals depicting Idaho history.
Idaho Central Arena is operated by the City of Boise Department of Parks and Recreation. In addition to being home to the Steelheads, the arena is also used by local colleges and high schools for hockey games and tournaments. Several other minor league sports teams have used Idaho Central Arena as their home venue over the years.
Notable Events
In addition to Steelheads home games, Idaho Central Arena has hosted some notable events since opening in 1997:
- NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey West Regional (1998, 2001, 2005)
- NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Championship (2000)
- ECHL All-Star Game (2003, 2011)
- WIAA High School Hockey Championships (annually)
- Concerts by artists like Elton John, Foo Fighters, and Carrie Underwood
The arena’s ice sheet and seating capacity make it an ideal venue for hockey games and tournaments. The city of Boise has benefited from having this top-notch facility to host events and attract visitors downtown.
Steelheads History in Boise
Professional hockey first came to Boise in 1996 when the Steelheads were founded as an expansion franchise in the West Coast Hockey League (WCHL). After one season in the WCHL, they joined the ECHL in 1997 and have remained there since.
The Steelheads immediately found success in the ECHL, winning division titles in their first five seasons. They won their first Kelly Cup championship in 2003-04 led by goalie Philippe Sauve’s MVP performance. Two more Kelly Cup titles followed in 2006-07 and 2009-10.
In addition to their on-ice success, the Steelheads have consistently ranked among the ECHL leaders in attendance. Hockey fans in Boise have passionately supported the team, making Idaho Central Arena one of the toughest road arenas for opponents.
After their first few seasons, the Steelheads established an affiliation with the NHL’s Dallas Stars. This allows Dallas to assign NHL prospects to Boise to develop in the ECHL. Many future NHL players have spent time in a Steelheads uniform early in their careers.
Steelheads Playoff History
Here is a summary of the Idaho Steelheads’ playoff history:
Season | Result |
---|---|
1996-97 | Lost in Conference Finals |
1997-98 | Lost in Conference Semifinals |
1998-99 | Lost in Conference Semifinals |
1999-00 | Lost in Conference Semifinals |
2000-01 | Lost in Conference Finals |
2001-02 | Lost in Conference Semifinals |
2002-03 | Lost in Conference Finals |
2003-04 | Won Kelly Cup Championship |
2004-05 | Lost in Conference Finals |
2005-06 | Lost in Conference Semifinals |
2006-07 | Won Kelly Cup Championship |
2007-08 | Lost in Conference Semifinals |
2008-09 | Lost in Conference Finals |
2009-10 | Won Kelly Cup Championship |
2010-11 | Lost in Conference Semifinals |
The Steelheads made the playoffs in each of their first 18 seasons, finally missing in 2014-15. That remains the only time they have failed to qualify for the postseason.
Current Players and Coaches
The current 2022-23 Idaho Steelheads roster features a mix of veteran ECHL players and Dallas Stars prospects. Here are some of the key players:
- Will Merchant – Leading scorer, been with Steelheads for past 3 seasons
- Matt Jurusik – Starting goalie in his second year with team
- Darren Brady – Top defenseman and team captain
- Ryan Dmowski – Forward prospect assigned from Dallas Stars
- Antonio Stranges – Highly-touted forward prospect from Dallas
The Steelheads are coached by Everett Sheen, who is in his fifth season as head coach. He led the team to a Kelly Cup title in 2016-17. Sheen coaches an up-tempo, high-scoring style of play.
Assistant coaches Danny Battochio and Matt Thomas work with the defensemen and goalies. Battochio is a former Steelheads netminder who helps develop the team’s goaltenders.
Steelheads Community Involvement
In addition to putting a competitive team on the ice, the Idaho Steelheads organization is also committed to making a positive impact in the Boise community. The team partners with local charities and hospitals for community initiatives including:
- Donating thousands of tickets each season to disadvantaged youth groups
- Visiting children’s hospitals to meet with young patients
- Raising money through auctions and special events for local non-profits
- Participating in reading programs and anti-bullying campaigns at local schools
The Steelheads strive to provide affordable family entertainment and use their platform to support charitable causes around southwest Idaho. Generations of fans have grown up cheering on the Steelheads at Idaho Central Arena while also benefiting from the team’s community programs.
Steelheads Fun Facts
Here are some interesting facts about the history of the Idaho Steelheads:
- Original team colors were purple and gold before switching to blue, silver, and orange
- First player signed was goalie Tyler Moss in 1996
- Leading career scorer is Jefferson Dahl with 266 points
- They are the only ECHL team affiliated with the Dallas Stars
- First player called up to the NHL was Peter Hogan during the 1997-98 season
- Largest crowd was 6,123 fans on December 27, 1997
- They appeared in the 2004 film “Against the Ropes” starring Meg Ryan
- Only jersey number retired is #24 worn by defenseman Jim Gursky
From humble beginnings in 1996, the Idaho Steelheads have grown into one of the ECHL’s most successful and fan-supported franchises. Their three Kelly Cup titles and consistent playoff appearances have made them a staple of the Boise sports scene. There are always exciting hockey games and memorable moments each season at Idaho Central Arena, where the Steelheads have played for over two decades.
Conclusion
In summary, the Idaho Steelheads have called Idaho Central Arena in downtown Boise their home since joining the ECHL in 1997. They quickly established themselves as one of the premier teams in the league, winning three championships and regularly ranking among the league leaders in attendance. Hockey fans in Boise have passionately supported the team through ups and downs over 25 seasons. Beyond the on-ice success, the Steelheads organization is dedicated to making a positive community impact and providing affordable entertainment. The games at Idaho Central Arena offer an exciting outing for families and sports fans of all ages. The Steelheads have become ingrained in the culture of Boise thanks to their winning tradition, community engagement, and connection with local fans over the years.