The Idaho Steelheads [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/players/steelheads-forward-announces-retirement]and Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations Everett Sheen announced that the club has signed forward Danny Dzhaniyev to an ECHL [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/]contract for the 2025-26 season. The 22-year-old Dzhaniyev joins the Steelheads after a successful four-year collegiate [https://thehockeynews.com/ncaa/]career at Penn State University. There, he produced 93 points (34-59-93) in 146 career games from 2021-25. This past season, he served as an alternate captain helping the Nittany Lions to their first ever NCAA Frozen Four, setting a career high with 12 goals and 31 points skating in 40 games on the season. Prior to collegiate hockey, the Brooklyn, NY native played one season in the United States Hockey League [https://thehockeynews.com/ushl/](USHL) with the Dubuque Fighting Saints during the 2020-21 campaign registering 36 points (18-18-36) in 49 games. The 5-foot-5, 150-pound left-handed shooter also suited up two seasons for the U.S. National Development Team Program from 2018-2020. The Steelheads kick off their 27th on ice season Oct. 17 at Tahoe against the Knight Monsters [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/latest-news/knight-monsters-stanick-named-echl-rookie-of-the-year]and will host the Utah Grizzlies [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/latest-news/amid-high-expectations-new-grizzlies-head-coach-committed-to-creating-fun-learning-environment]on Oct. 24 for their home opener.
