The Idaho Steelheads have announced that they have signed forwards Brian Chambers, Blake Swetlikoff, and Brendan Hoffman.
Brian Chambers’ Career
Brian Chambers is a 6’1″ forward from Weymouth, Massachusetts. Chambers spent his junior career playing for the Northeast Generals in the NAHL (2016-18) and the Cedar Rapid RoughRiders and Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL (2017-19). In his two NAHL seasons, Chambers played in 30 games where he had six goals and nine assists for 15 points. He had six penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -11. In five playoff games, Chambers had one assist. Chambers also spent two seasons in the USHL, playing in 90 games where he had 21 goals and 32 assists for 53 points. He had 43 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of +21. In the 2018-19 season, Chambers and the Sioux Falls Stampede were the USHL Clark Cup Champions.
After his junior career, Chambers went on to play Division I hockey at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. He spent four seasons at UMass-Lowell, playing in 104 games where he had 15 goals and 26 assists for 41 points. He had 32 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of +1. Chambers then spent his final year of collegiate hockey at Arizona State University. In 38 games, Chambers had four goals and 16 assists for 20 points. He had 35 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of +4.
Chambers completed his collegiate career in the 2023-24 season and then signed in the ECHL with the Kalamazoo Wings. In ten games, Chambers had two assists and six penalty minutes with a plus/minus of 0. In two playoff games, Chambers had zero points or penalty minutes and a plus/minus of +1.
Brian Chambers is a forward with quite a bit of speed which allows him to be up in the rush with his team. With Idaho usually being a pretty fast team, Chambers should be able to fit in with the Steelheads pretty well. Chambers is also pretty good when it comes to playing in front of the net. Chambers is able to pick up rebounds and redirect his teammates’ shots to help his team score more goals.
The 2024-25 season will be Chambers’ second season in the ECHL and first season with the Steelheads. Chambers will still be considered a rookie as he has played in less than 25 professional games.
Blake Swetlikoff’s Career
Blake Swetlikoff is a 6’0″ forward from Regina, Saskatchewan. The 21 year old started his junior career in the 2019-20 season. He spent five seasons in the WHL, splitting his time between the Spokane Chiefs, Lethbridge Hurricanes, and Kamloops Blazers. In 225 games, Swetlikoff had 39 goals and 76 assists for 115 points. He had 86 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -63. In eight playoff games, Swetlikoff had two penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -10. Swetlikoff was an assistant captain for the Spokane Chiefs in the 2022-23 season and was an assistant captain for the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the 2023-24 season.
Blake Swetlikoff can be a pretty gritty and hard working forward who is not afraid to get to the front of the net to make plays. He can pick up rebounds in front of the net, or even make plays to either score or help his teammates score.
The 2024-25 season will be Swetlikoff’s first season with the Steelheads and first season at the professional level.
Brendan Hoffman’s Career
Brendan Hoffman is a 6’3″ forward from Charlotte, North Carolina. The 22 year old started his junior career in the 2018-19 season with the Erie Otters in the OHL. Hoffman spent all four of his junior seasons playing with the Otters where he played in 189 games. Hoffman had 44 goals and 30 assists for 74 points with 115 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -9.
After completing his junior career, Hoffman made the jump to professional hockey, signing in the ECHL with the Reading Royals. In his two ECHL seasons, thus far, Hoffman has spent his time with the Royals and Atlanta Gladiators. In 125 ECHL games, Hoffman has 22 goals and 34 assists for 56 points. He has 109 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -2. In 11 playoff games, he has three goals with four penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -1.
Brendan Hoffman should be a great asset for the Steelheads in the 2024-25 season. Hoffman is a pretty good fighter who is willing to stand up for his teammates when needed and is not afraid to play physical. Hoffman has a pretty nice shot and is also pretty good at setting his teammates up to score.
The 2024-25 season will be Hoffman’s third season in the ECHL and first season with the Idaho Steelheads.
