Defenseman Russ Sinkewich Reassigned to Idaho

Russ Sinkewich (Credit: Steven Christy)

The Texas Stars and Idaho Steelheads announced a pair of moves today that put AHL-contracted Russ Sinkewich in Idaho and sent ECHL-contracted Tyler Elbrecht in Toledo.

Sinkewich was signed to a PTO by Texas out of Toledo and then signed an AHL contract at the end of the last calendar year. He was sent back to the Walleye of the ECHL afterwards. This transaction puts Sinkewich with the Idaho Steelheads. Tyler Elbrecht just scored his first pro goal the other night against Utah and was in training camp with the Stars this year.

Toledo is currently outside the playoff picture at 16-31-3-1, ranking last in the ECHL's Eastern Conference. Idaho is ranked 5th in the West at 27-18-3-4.

Here's the release from Idaho:

Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Brad Ralph announced Monday that the Idaho Steelheads have traded defenseman Tyler Elbrecht to the Toledo Walleye in exchange for the ECHL rights to defenseman Russ Sinkewich.

In a separate transaction, the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League have reassigned Sinkewich from Toledo to Idaho.

The 28-year-old defenseman has split this season between Toledo and Texas, who owns his AHL rights. In 33 games at the ECHL level, Sinkewich has 17 points (one goal, 16 assists) and 39 penalty minutes. He has also appeared in eight games with Texas, where he scored his first AHL goal earlier this season.In all, the Ohio native has skated in 209 ECHL games and 71 AHL games after playing his college hockey at Bowling Green.

Elbrecht, 25, is in his first professional season out of Minnesota State. He scored his first professional goal on Saturday night against Utah and led the team with ten fighting majors in 45 games at the time of the deal.