Senior Defenseman Chris Hepp has left the St. Cloud State Huskies and has signed a pro contract with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL.

Hepp will make his pro debut tonight for the Steelheads wearing the uniform number three, and skating with former Huskies John Swanson and Jase Weslosky.

“Chris was a big part of our success in 2009-10 with his physical and demanding defensive play,"  Head Coach Bob Motzko said. "We thank him for his contributions to the program and we wish him all the best as he begins his professional career.”

The senior had played in all 20 games this year for SCSU and was in good academic standing as he was previously a WCHA All-Scholar Athlete. The news comes after Hepp’s gear and stall nameplate were missing today at National Hockey Center and the news broke when both the Steelheads and St. Cloud State Athletic Media Relations put out a press release on Hepp’s signing.

SCSU Athletic Media Relations had no comment on if Hepp’s departure was tied to a possible off-ice incident while in Florida that had been rumored this past week.

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