The Idaho Hockey Foundation (IHF) announced the formation of a new Junior “A”, tier 3 team in 2009. The Idaho Junior Steelheads franchise competes in a 50-game regular season in the Western States Hockey League (WSHL). They play against LA Bay City Bombers, Phoenix Polar Bears, San Diego Gulls, LA Valencia Flyers, Bakersfield Jr Condors, Arizona Redhawks and the Fresno Monsters.
The WSHL is a developmental league for Junior “A” players ages 16-20 who are actively and ultimately aspiring to play at the collegiate or professional levels of hockey. Seven of our 2009-2010 players were drafted to play NCAA Division 3 college hockey and three skaters moved up to play ACHA hockey in 2010-2011.
Coach John Olver brought his dream of a Junior "A" team in Boise to the Swigert Foundation in November, 2008. In December, 2008, Swigert Foundation was honored to become part of the Junior "A" support group by purchasing a WSHL Junior "A" franchise to be donated to the Idaho Hockey Foundation in the future.
Coach Olver has over 25 years of Coaching/General Manager/Ownership experience. Darrell Swigert believes Junior "A" will give Idaho's highest achieving skaters, along with other talented skaters from the US and around the world, the chance to mature in the sport and hopefully move on to college or professional hockey careers.
Home games will be played at Qwest Arena and Manchester Arena in McCall during 2010 and 2011 season.