With 3 North Dakota-born players, Idaho Steelheads continue strong season in ECHL's Kelly Cup Playoffs

FARGO — In the wild world of professional hockey, there's a good chance that you'll never find yourself too far from home.

Grand Forks native and University of North Dakota alumnus Casey Johnson was the first to arrive in Boise, Idaho, to play for the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads in 2021-22. This season, Johnson was joined on the roster by two more North Dakotans, Fargo's Cody Haiskanen and Minto's Jade Miller.

The distance between North Dakota's western border and Boise is roughly 871 miles, or just over 13 hours by car. With the trio of Johnson, Haiskanen and Miller playing together at the professional level, however, the sense of home is always present among them.

"We are definitely close," Johnson said. "I've known (Haiskanen and Miller) for a long time beforehand so that connection has always been there. It's pretty cool playing with guys from back home, especially this far along in your career. We all take pride in being from North Dakota and having that grit to our game."

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That grit was battle-tested in the opening round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs over the last two weeks. After Idaho fell into an 0-2 series hole against the Utah Grizzlies in the Mountain Division Semifinals, the Steelheads bounced back by winning four consecutive overtime games to clinch the best-of-seven series in six games and advance to the division finals against the Allen Americans.

Johnson had an assist as the Steelheads took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven division finals with a 5-4 win over Allen on Friday in Allen, Texas. Former UND forward Jordan Kawaguchi had a goal and an assist for the Steelheads.

"Hard-fought (semifinals) series against an opponent we saw 20-plus times this year," Haiskanen said. "Tough start going down 2-0, but to come back and win four games in a row in overtime was stressful and exciting at the same time."

Johnson recorded the lone assist on teammate Jack Becker's series-clinching goal in game six this past Monday. Becker netted the goal 3 minutes and 48 seconds into overtime.

"The first couple games didn't go as planned, but that's why it is a seven-game series," Johnson said. "We just knew we had to keep playing the same game we had been playing since halfway through the year. Overtimes definitely add some stress to your mind and body, but when they all end not even four minutes in, that's always helpful.

"There are always going to be the bumps and bruises. You just have to do whatever it takes to get ready for the next game."

Johnson, Haiskanen and Miller appeared in all seven playoff games for the Steelheads so far. Johnson, a defenseman, recorded three assists in the opening series while Haiskanen, also a blue-liner, tallied a goal and an assist. Miller, playing forward, recorded one assist in the series.

The trio had strong regular season performances, as well. Haiskanen was the team's fourth-best point-getter among defensemen, with the former Fargo Davies star and Cornell alumnus recording five goals and 24 assists in 61 games played.

Johnson, the former Grand Forks Central blue-liner, had two goals and 10 assists in 47 regular season contests. Miller, who spent his high school days with the Grafton-Park River varsity squad and played college hockey at Minnesota Duluth, finished with 16 goals and 17 assists in 68 games.

Their contributions have helped propel Idaho to an outstanding season so far. The Steelheads finished the regular season with 58 wins, 11 regulation losses and three overtime/shootout losses. The team finished with a league-leading 119 points to claim both the Mountain Division championship and the Brabham Cup, the trophy awarded to the ECHL's top regular season team. The next closest team was the second-place Cincinnati Cyclones with 103 points.

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The Steelheads are competing in the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2018-19 after missing out on the last playoff spot by a single point last season. The tail end of the 2019-20 ECHL season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the team opted out of the following season for the same reason.

"Last year was tough not making the playoffs, especially missing by one or two games," Johnson said. "You work so hard ... to come up that short is a tough pill to swallow for sure. This year, though, is a different story. I can't remember the last time I've been on a team where you come to every game and know there is a very good possibility you walk out with a win. But the playoffs are a whole new season. It's a great feeling making the playoffs and knowing we have a shot at bringing a trophy back to Boise. The fans here are unbelievable and to be so welcomed and have results on the ice is something you can kind of give back in a way."

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Should Idaho defeat Allen to advance out of the Mountain Division Finals, it will be the first time since 2012-13 the Steelheads will have advanced to the Western Conference Finals.

The team is chasing its third Kelly Cup and first since 2006-07.

But first, Idaho must focus on the team currently standing in their way.

"I think our mindset is taking it one game at a time and focusing on ourselves," Haiskanen said. "It sounds cliché, but it’s a best-of seven series and we can’t win four games without winning the first one. We believe we can go on a deep playoff run as long as we keep sticking to the formula that has helped us all year, which has been to focus on playing our way of hockey."

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Johnson agreed with his teammate's sentiment.

"The mindset stays the same and that is one game at a time," Johnson said. "We know (Allen) has a high-power offense so playing responsible with our defense is a must. I think we have what it takes for sure. Everyone is buying into their role and doing the right things.

"We are such a deep team, getting scoring from all over the lineup. That's a huge plus in my mind. I think it just comes down to how badly every guy on this team wants it all fighting for each other. It's going to be a fun ride, that's for sure."

Win or lose, the shared bond between Haiskanen, Johnson and Miller will continue to stick with the three of them for as long as they remain teammates, and perhaps beyond.

"I think we all have a natural bond because we take pride in being from (North Dakota) and I believe that bond has grown over this season," Haiskanen said.