ECHL: Idaho Steelheads Sign 2023 MVP and Rookie Of The Year

The Idaho Steelheads made a splash on Thursday as they announced that they’ve signed forward Hank Crone to a contract for the 2024-25 season. The 26-year-old forward had an exceptional rookie year with the Allen Americans, putting up 49 goals and 56 assists for 105 points in 69 games, and would add a goal and seven assists for eight points in 11 games during the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs. He would end up being named the MVP and Rookie of the Year in 2023. Crone would sign an AHL contract with the Chicago Wolves during the off-season but would play just three games with the Wolves, putting up an assist before being released and heading back to Allen. The Dallas, Texas native would put up 17 goals and 38 assists for 55 points last season with the Americans.

Prior to going pro, Crone spent three seasons in the NAHL with the Omaha Lancers and Fargo Force before making the jump to the NCAA level as he would spend a year at Boston College where he put up two goals and 10 assists for 12 points in 35 before returning to Fargo for another season. Crone would then spend two years at the University of Denver, where he put up 11 goals, and 14 assists for 25 points in 44 games before finishing up his collegiate career at Northern Michigan University, where he had 13 goals, and 31 assists for 44 points in 32 games.

This is a massive signing for the Steelheads, as they needed to find a scorer after Mark Rassell and Wade Murphy decided to take the overseas route. Expect Crone to be on the Steelheads top line when the season begins in October.