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Lafranchise and Kremyr Return to Aces

August 2, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL) Alaska Aces

The Alaska Aces have re-signed defenseman Kane Lafranchise and forward Jordan Kremyr for the 2012-2013 season, Aces Head Coach Rob Murray announced on Thursday afternoon. Both players return to Alaska after completing their first full pro seasons with the Aces a year ago. The Aces begin the 2012-2013 season on the road and return home on Friday, October 19 at Sullivan Arena to host the Utah Grizzlies. Season ticket and sponsorship packages are currently available through the Aces office at 15th & Gambell. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.

Lafranchise, 24, has spent his entire pro career with the Aces, spanning 101 combined regular season and postseason games. Last year - in his first complete professional season - Lafranchise was a breakout star on the Aces blue line. The Edmonton, Alberta native finished second among Alaska defenseman in scoring with 34 points (3g, 31a), and finished 14th overall among ECHL defensemen. He ended the year ninth in assists by a defenseman. He added 5 points (g, 4a) in 10 playoff games. Lafranchise led the Aces in +/- during the regular season, and finished second among ECHL blue liners with a +20 rating. The 6'1", 199 lbs. Lafranchise was still considered a rookie last year by ECHL standards after joining the team in February 2010 and remaining with the club for the rest of the season and playoffs. Murray said that Lafranchise showed great strides over the course of last season and proved that he can be a top-tier defenseman.

"I thought that from the start of the year to the end, Kane was our most improved player," said Murray. "His ability to play so well at both ends of the ice helped our team on a nightly basis. He can log a lot of minutes, play special teams, and at 24 years old is only getting better. His return is a big boost to our lineup."

Prior to turning pro, Lafranchise played three seasons for the University of Alaska - Anchorage from 2007-2010. In his Seawolves career, the blue liner posted 33 points (9g, 24a) in 97 career games. Last season Lafranchise was also recognized by The Hockey News as the winner of the worldwide hockey "Name of the Year" tournament for 2012.

Kremyr, 26, enjoyed a strong, rookie campaign last season for the Aces posting 24 points (14g, 10a) and 50 penalty minutes in 52 games. He was Alaska's leading rookie goal scorer, and finished second on the club in points by a rookie, behind Lafranchise. Kremyr chipped in with three shorthanded goals, tying for the team lead, and finishing tied for fourth among ECHL rookies. The 6'0", 195 lbs. forward made his pro debut in March 2011, playing in one game while the Aces visited Las Vegas and earned a training camp invite last season. Despite getting hurt on the first day of camp, Kremyr rebounded to earn a roster spot and play a pivotal part in the Aces' Brabham Cup-winning season.

"Jordan is a guy who you love to coach because you know he's going to give you everything he has each shift," said Murray. "He fought his way onto this team and earned everything he got last year. He can score, hit, kill penalties, fight - you name it. He is a total team-first guy and that type of character is infectious to the rest of the guys."

Before joining the Aces, the Cloverdale, British Columbia native completed a four-year collegiate career at Providence College. He ended his college career with 27 points (13g, 14a) in 104 games. Prior to playing in the NCAA, he played in the BCHL. In three seasons with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Kremyr had 196 points (82g, 114a) in 180 games.

The Aces 2012-2013 season begins on the road and the club will return home on Friday, October 19 at Sullivan Arena. Season ticket and sponsorship packages are currently available through the Aces office at 15th & Gambell. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.

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