Becker, Knierim sign with Steelheads

BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Steelheads have agreed to terms with forwards Jack Becker and Willie Knierim on contracts for the 2022-23 season.Becker joined the Steelheads for 11 games at the end of the 2021-22 season, posting four points (2g-2a) after signing on March 15. The Dellwood, Minnestoa native made his professional debut on March 18 against Utah and scored his first professional goal on March 30 at Florida. This came after completing his collegiate career at Arizona State University with 24 points (8g-16a) in 35 games.The 25-year-old also played four seasons at the University of Michigan and was named captain in 2020-21 during his senior season, totaling 51 points (26g-25a) through 121 games including back-to-back 15-point seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19. Becker was named as the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient both in 2018-19 and 2020-21, and he was selected in the seventh round (195th overall) by the Boston Bruins in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.Knierim also came to the Steelheads mid-season following his collegiate career at Arizona State, posting seven points (3g-4a) in 18 games with the Steelheads. The product of Chicago, Illinois scored a late goal in his professional debut on Jan. 26 as part of a 9-4 win over Kansas City. He played three seasons at Arizona State from 2019-22, amassing 35 points (20g-15a) with 67 penalty minutes through 69 games. In parts of five collegiate seasons between Arizona State and Miami University (Ohio), Knierim earned 44 points in 118 games.Prior to his collegiate career, the 24-year-old played three seasons with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League, totaling 102 points (44g-58a) and 391 penalty minutes through 173 games, leading Dubuque in penalty minutes in his final two season as well as sitting in the top-five in the league in that category. He was named alternate captain during the 2018-19 season and played with Team USA during the 2016 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2016 World Jr. A Challenge, where he helped earn a bronze medal.