March 19, 2009

Idaho Adds Sorteberg

A day after the Idaho Steelheads clinched an ECHL playoff berth with a 4-3 shootout win over the Salmon Kings in Victoria, Head Coach Derek Laxdal announced he’s adding another rookie to the mix. Matt Sorteberg, a Quinnipiac defenseman, was signed to an ECHL contract today and will join the team in Victoria.

Sorteberg began his four-and-a half seasons with the Quinnipiac Bobcats in 2004-05, and finished his freshman year with 23 points (3g-20a), earning him a vote on the Quinnipiac Cup All-Tournament Team. The 6-1, 195-pound Minnesota native was touted as one of the top blueliners in ECAC Hockey and was an All-Academic Team selection in 2005-06. He started his senior season in 2007-08, but played in just 11 games before enduring a season-ending injury on Nov. 24. He was granted an NCAA medical-hardship waiver and returned in 2008-09 and played in all 39 games. In total, Sorteberg played 163 games for the Bobcats, scoring 19 goals and 53 assists for 72 points, with 202 penalty minutes.

The Steelheads (37-21-2-2/78pts) qualified as the third team in the ECHL to secure a 2009 postseason. The Florida Everblades (42-17-2-3/89pts) of the American Conference, South Division lead the league, while the Alaska Aces (40-21-1-2/83pts) of the National Conference, West Division are second. Victoria (34-24-2-5/75pts), also from the West Division, currently ranks fifth overall; third in the West.