Wardley rejoins Steelheads

BOISE, Idaho – Defenseman Evan Wardley has signed a contract with the Idaho Steelheads for the 2021-22 season.Wardley played 24 games with the Wheeling Nailers during the 2020-21 season, posting two assists and 49 penalty minutes during his first full ECHL season. The Vulcan, Alberta native made his debut with the Steelheads during the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season, sporting one assist and 29 penalty minutes through nine games before the end of the season.

The 27-year-old attended the University of Lethbridge for four seasons before joining the Steelheads. During his collegiate career, he recorded 19 points (3g-16a) in 91 games while appearing in the 2018-19 University Cup Tournament, a season-ending playoff consisting of U Sports men’s ice hockey teams in Canada hosted by Lethbridge. Prior to his professional career, Wardley played four full seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Seattle Thunderbirds, posting 40 points (9g-31a) with 443 penalty minutes in 208 games. He was named an alternate captain during the 2014-15 season and finished in the top 10 in penalty minutes across the WHL during his final two seasons from 2013-14 through 2014-15.