King back on Steelheads blue line

BOISE, Idaho –Defenseman Jeff King returns to the Idaho Steelheads, signing a contract for the 2019-20 season.

The Steelheads are the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars and the American Hockey League's Texas Stars.

King played 66 games with the Steelheads during the 2018-19 season, tallying 31 points (6g-25a) with 47 penalty minutes and a +16 rating. The St. Clair, Michigan native finished second among Steelheads defensemen in plus-minus after joining the team from the Fort Wayne Komets in an October trade. In his first two professional seasons, he owns 44 points (11g-33a) through 128 ECHL games.

The 23-year-old defenseman had a breakout season in 2018-19, not only topping his previous career-high in games played (34) but also leaping over his career-high scoring totals in all major categories. He made his Steelheads debut on Oct. 19, 2018 against the Utah Grizzlies and has seen time with four ECHL teams since his professional debut on Oct. 31, 2017 with the Orlando Solar Bears.

Prior to his professional career, King spent four seasons with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League, finishing his junior career with 56 points (14g-42a) in 66 games in 2016-17 while setting career-highs in all categories. Over his four seasons, he posted 131 points (26go-105a) with a +24 rating through 250 games.