The Idaho Steelheads made a major signing to end the week as they announced that defenceman Matt Register will return for his third season as a member of the Steelheads and 12th season in the ECHL. Heading into the 2024-25 season, Register will have a chance to break the record for most games played among defensemen, as he is 49 games behind Kyle Bushee. Register is also 33 points behind Bob Woods for second all-time among defensemen in points and 14 goals away from passing Tom Nameth and Dave Craievich, which would put him third among defensemen in career goals.
Register,35, will be entering his 12th season in the league as he’s put up 110 goals and 318 assists for 490 in 611 games as he’s spent time with the Ontario Reign, Atlanta Gladiators, Allen Americans, Colorado Eagles, Toledo Walleye, and Idaho Steelheads. The Calgary, Alberta native has also played in 156 ECHL Playoff Games, putting up 29 goals and 89 assists for 118 points. Those 156 Playoff Games are the most in ECHL History. He has also played in 43 AHL games, putting up one goal and seven assists for eight points. Register spent the 2021-22 season overseas with the Cardiff Devils, where he had eight goals and 35 assists for 43 points in 53 games.
Over the course of his career, Register has won three consecutive Kelly Cup Championships (2016-2018), including winning the Kelly Cup Playoff MVP in 2017, where he had eight goals and 16 assists for 24 points in 20 Kelly Cup Playoff Games. He is a three-time ECHL Defenseman of the Year and has been named to the All-ECHL First All-Star Team six times.
