Idaho Steelheads at CenturyLink Arena
Boise, Idaho, is home to one of the premiere teams in minor league hockey. The Idaho Steelheads play in the Mountain Division of the ECHL's Western Conference, and are part of the Dallas Stars organization along with the AHL's Texas Stars. The Steelheads play out of the CenturyLink Arena in Boise, which seats 5,002 for ice hockey and first opened as the Bank of America Centre in 1997. They are coached by Everett Sheen, who replaced Neil Graham in 2019 after Graham took an assistant coaching position with the Texas Stars.
Idaho Steelheads Hockey History
The Idaho Steelheads first took to the ice in 1997 as part of a four-team expansion of the West Coast Hockey League, and are named after a species of rainbow trout indigenous to the area. The Steelheads were instantly successful, making annual playoff appearances under coaches Dave Langevin and Clint Malarchuk, before hiring John Olver for the 2000-01 season. Under Olver, the Steelheads won two conference championships (in 2001 and 2002) as well as having the best regular season record in 2003. The Idaho Steelheads were one of six operating teams and one planned WCHL team to be absorbed into the East Coast Hockey League after the 2003 season, forming the modern ECHL. The move to the ECHL coincided with the formation of a partnership with the Dallas Stars, which has continued ever since, with the exception of the 2004-05 season.
The Steelheads earned the distinction of having reached the playoffs each and every season since their founding, as well as being the westernmost franchise of the ECHL, and the last original WCHL team to exist in their original form. Since joining the ECHL in 2003, they have won the Kelly Cup twice (in 2004, and in 2007 under coach Derek Laxdal). In 2010, the Steelheads won the Brabham Cup for earning the most points in the regular season, but they lost to the Cincinnati Cyclones in the Kelly Cup finals, four games to one. In 2019, the Steelheads placed second in their division, exiting in the first round of the Kelly Cup playoffs after losing to the rival Utah Grizzlies.
Selecting and purchasing my ticket for the Idaho Steelheads versus the Allen Americans was super easy. The mobile ticket insures you won't lose or forget a paper ticket. Great seat for the hockey game at a good price. I don't go to many live hockey games, but I always enjoy the experience. A hard fought 3-2 victory for the Idaho Steelheads in the overtime period.
There are no bad seats at the Steelheads. They are 1st in their division right now and worth the trip!
Always a great time! Well staffed Ana the staff is very attentive, fast, and nice.
He stays til the very end. And Steelheads have won every game he has gone to in last 4 years!!!
Fun venue and the game was exciting- what's not to like?
I'm a total hockey nut, so this was a total blast. Will be going back again soon.
Easy to buy tickets on line. Had a great time, Small arena, so all seats are good. But love being behind penalty box
Super fun night at the sheet but bummer to lose on a defensive error in OT. We'll get em game #3! The IPA selection could be improved. Why none from Mother Earth who is just blocks away from the arena??
Love the atmosphere, love that the crowd gets behind the team! We travel over 60 miles to see the games and are never disappointed. (except when it doesn't go our way!) Should be 4 1/2 stars - minus 1/2 cuz the seats are not made for tall people. Go Steelheads!!!
I went to the western conference finals against the Toledo walleye and the crowd was rocking all night long from puck drop to the end of the game you could just tell how much we love our steelheads here in Boise and hoping they bring home the Kelly cup
