Estevan’s Tanner Froese has wrapped up a successful collegiate hockey career, and now he’s turning pro.
The Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL, who play out of the city of Boise, announced on Tuesday that they have agreed to terms with Froese for the 2018-19 season.
Froese, 25, played three years with the Power Dodge Estevan Bruins of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League from 2011-12 to 2013-14. In his final campaign, he served as the team’s captain, and finished with 23 goals and 57 points in 55 regular season games.
He then had a four-year collegiate career at St. Norbert College. He served as captain during his senior season in 2017-18, leading the Green Knights to a National Collegiate Athletics Association Division III national championship.
“Tanner was the captain of a national championship team and he knows how to lead,” said Steelheads head coach and general manager Neil Graham. “He knows what it takes to win the big game.”
Froese tallied 14 goals and 34 points in 32 games last season with St. Norbert, leading the team in scoring and earning Northern Collegiate Hockey Association all-conference team and all-tournament team honours.
The six-foot winger was also named to the all-conference team in 2016-17, when he served as alternate captain.
He capped his college tenure with three assists in the national championship game, including the primary assist on the double-overtime winner.
“I’m definitely very excited to have this opportunity to be a part of the Steelheads organization,” said Froese. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about the team, the coaching staff, and the city of Boise. It seems like a place that every player wants to be, so I’m looking forward to helping this team achieve its goals in any way I can.”
Following his senior campaign last spring, Froese made his professional debut with the Fort Wayne Komets, appearing in three regular-season ECHL games
