IDAHO STEELHEADS: THREE HOME GAMES THIS WEEK
The ECHL hockey team has lost six of its first seven games, and now for the good news: The Steelheads, who have played only one home game, are in town for games against Las Vegas on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
All three games begin at 7:10 p.m. at Century-Link Arena (formerly Qwest Arena).
The two teams will play a fourth time when Idaho plays at Las Vegas on Tuesday night.
PROMOTION: Friday’s game will feature the debut of the “Rat Pack,” named in honor of 2011 ECHL All-Star Kael Mouillierat, who returned to the team this season. For $15, fans will get a game ticket and a “Rat Pack” T-shirt. The tickets will be in Section 205, creating a fan section. The “Rat Pack” will return for every Friday home game.
ECHL ADDS FLORIDA FRANCHISE: Orlando will join the league for the 2012-13 season, the league announced Tuesday. The team will play its home games at the Amway Center, home to the Orlando Magic of the NBA.
FUTURE HOME GAMES: After this weekend, the Steelheads play only two home games (Nov. 18-19 versus Alaska) until Dec. 7.
IDAHO STAMPEDE: DRAFT PARTY THURSDAY
The NBA Development League Draft is Thursday night, and includes a Stampede draft party in Boise (Legends Pub and Grill, 7609 W. Overland Rd.). Start time is 4:30 p.m.
Idaho ended up ninth during the offseason draft lottery, but that pick was traded to Erie last season. The Stampede’s first pick is in the second round (23rd overall). They have additional picks at No. 25 and No. 44 overall after previous trades with Erie and Reno.
The Stampede, who are affiliated with the Jazz, Nuggets and Trail Blazers, open their regular season Nov. 25-26 against Tulsa in Century-Link Arena.
FIRST-ROUND DRAFT ORDER: 1. Los Angeles; 2. Austin; 3. Maine; 4. Sioux Falls; 5. Texas; 6. Bakersfield (from Iowa); 7. Erie; 8. Bakersfield; 9. Erie (from Idaho); 10. Fort Wayne; 11. Tulsa; 12. Dakota; 13. Bakersfield (from Reno); 14. Rio Grande; 15. Canton; 16. Tulsa (from Springfield).
SETH TARVER RE-SIGNS: The 6-foot-5, 215-pounder from Oregon State, the 2009-10 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, will report to training camp Nov. 14. Tarver played 49 games with the Stampede last season (33 starts), averaging 9.9 points per game on 47.8 percent shooting, while pulling down 4.5 rebounds in 27.0 minutes per game.
BOISE HAWKS: SCHEDULE SET FOR 2012
The Hawks, the short-season Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, open their 26th season with a five-game series at Salem-Keizer (Ore.) on June 15-19. The June 20 home opener at Memorial Stadium kicks off a five-game homestand against Eugene.
The 76-game Northwest League season features 38 home games and 38 road games. The first half of the regular season ends July 23 and the regular season ends Sept. 1, followed by league playoffs.
The Hawks will play six Friday night home games and six Saturday night home games. There will be nine post-game fireworks shows, including a July 4 game against Tri-City.
The Hawks’ promotional and giveaway schedule will be released in the spring.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Who: Dan Ellis, Anaheim Ducks goaltender
Boise connection: Ellis played for the Idaho Steelheads during the 2004 season, when Idaho won its first ECHL championship.
Remember when? Ellis was named the Kelly Cup playoffs MVP after posting a 13-3 record in the postseason with a 1.86 goals-against average.
What’s up these days: Ellis was traded from Tampa Bay to the Anaheim Ducks in February. He went 8-3-1 down the stretch with Anaheim last season. He is 1-1-0 with the Ducks this season.
Chris Langrill: 377-6424
