The Idaho Steelheads have had a relatively quiet offseason since missing the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs. They finished the season with a 37-35 record and 14th overall in the league standings. Since their final game on April 12, the organization has been focused on evaluating its roster and rebuilding a path back into Cup contention. Part of that process includes navigating player departures due to retirement, rookie signings, or moves overseas.
The latest player to cross the pond is forward Connor MacEachern, who will join Mora IK of Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan—the country’s second-tier professional league. His departure follows that of Patrick Kudla and Ryan Gagnon, who also recently signed with European clubs. Mora IK, a historic club founded in 1935, has spent decades competing across the top two divisions of Swedish hockey.
From NCAA to AHL
MacEachern joined Idaho for the 2024–25 season and quickly made an impression. Prior to his time with the Steelheads, he played four seasons at Penn State University, tallying 31 goals and 46 assists for 77 points over 130 NCAA games. As a senior, he wore the Alternate Captain’s ‘A’ and earned a spot on the B1G Honorable Mention All-Star Team. Rather than returning for a fifth year of eligibility—an option many collegiate players exercise—MacEachern chose to begin his pro career.
His first step came in the spring of 2023, when he signed an Amateur Tryout (ATO) with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL. He played the final 12 days of the season there before returning to Penn State to walk the stage in graduation. After graduation, he rejoined the Barracuda for five more games, recording one assist before being reassigned to the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder. He concluded his stint with San Jose with nine total AHL games and one assist.
AHL to ECHL
MacEachern worked to find his rhythm in Wichita, appearing in 15 games and posting two goals and five assists. While his time in Kansas was challenging, it helped pave the way for a breakthrough in Idaho.
Signing with the Steelheads in September 2024, MacEachern went on to have his best professional season yet. In 41 games, he scored 23 goals and 17 assists, earning ECHL Rookie of the Month honors from Howies Hockey Tape and becoming a key piece of Idaho’s offense. His strong play earned him a Professional Tryout (PTO) with the Iowa Wild, where he logged 13 games and netted his first AHL goal.
Across three seasons and two AHL teams, MacEachern now totals 22 AHL games, with one goal and one assist. In the ECHL, his two-season resume includes 56 games, 25 goals, 22 assists, and 47 points; a solid foundation for his transition into European competition.
Looking Ahead
As the Steelheads approach the July 7 qualifying offer deadline, the departure of MacEachern is just one aspect of an unfolding offseason puzzle. The 2025–26 season is set to bring significant changes, new players, and ample opportunities for the Steelheads to rework their roster and regain their playoff form.
Discover more from Inside The Rink
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
