Jardine returns to Steelheads

Action photo of Sam Jardinee of the Idaho Steelheads

BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Steelheads, ECHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars, announced that the club has signed defenseman Sam Jardine to a contract for the 2026-27 season.

Jardine, 32, loops back for a second season in Idaho after posting 21 points (1g-20a) in 68 games last season. He also chipped in two assists during Idaho’s first-round playoff series against the Allen Americans.

The veteran blueliner reached two key milestones last year as well, eclipsing 300 ECHL games and 500 professional games during the team’s final regular season series against the Tulsa Oilers.

Jardine has played parts of seven seasons in the ECHL, highlighted by capturing the Kelly Cup in 2017 with the Colorado Eagles and in 2019 with the Newfoundland Growlers. He was named to the All-ECHL First Team during the 2020-21 campaign, finishing fourth among all league defensemen with 44 points (3g-41a) in 67 games for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

He has appeared in 302 regular season ECHL games, notching 115 points (14g-101a) while also grabbing 17 points (3g-14a) in 49 playoff games with Indy, Colorado, Orlando, Newfoundland, Greenville and Idaho.

The Lacombe, Alberta native has also played parts of five seasons in the American Hockey League, most recently appearing with the Calgary Wranglers in 14 games during the 2023-24 season where he picked up three assists. He has skated in 85 career AHL games, registering 16 points (4g-12a) for Calgary, Toronto, San Antonio and Rockford.

Prior to professional hockey, Jardine played three seasons at Ohio State University from 2012-15, accumulating 32 points (3g-29a) in 97 career games, while serving as an alternate captain during the 2014-15 campaign. He was selected in the sixth round (179th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.