Aces Acquire Cruthers from Reading
March 8, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
The Alaska Aces made a big move on Thursday's ECHL trading deadline by acquiring forward Ryan Cruthers from the Reading Royals in exchange for Ethan Cox and future considerations, Aces Head Coach Rob Murray has announced. Cruthers served as the Royals team captain this season and is the all-time leading scorer in Reading history. He is expected to join the Aces in time for their weekend series against the Colorado Eagles. The Aces and Eagles are the top two teams in the Mountain Division, and square off in the final regular season home games for Alaska. For more information and the latest promotional news and updates, fans can visit the Aces at their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey or call the Aces at 907.258.ACES.
Cruthers, 27, joins the Aces with a tremendous ECHL resume. He has 196 points (73g, 123a) in 180 career ECHL games with Reading, Mississippi, and Utah. This season the Farmingdale, NY native has 39 points (11g, 28a) and 77 penalty minutes in 48 games. Earlier this season, the 6'0", 194 lbs. forward became the all-time leading Royals scorer. The former Reading captain finishes his Royals career with 167 points (55g, 112a) in 159 games. Cruthers had been a 20-goal scorer in all three of his pro seasons entering this year. In 2008-09 he had a career-high 29 goals as the leading scorer of the Mississippi Sea Wolves.
Throughout his career, Cruthers has also developed a reputation as one of the best "big-game" players in the ECHL. In the last two post-seasons, Cruthers has combined for 32 points (13g, 19a) in 24 playoff games. In 2010 his 24 points in the palyoffs led the entire ECHL, as he helped lead Reading to the Eastern Conference Finals. Cruthers has also won a NY State High School Championship with St. Mary's, and an Eastern Junior Hockey League Championship in New York.
Prior to turning pro, Cruthers had an impressive collegiate career split between the Army and Robert Morris University. He was named the most Outstanding Freshman in 2004 with Army after leading the team in scoring. Following his sophomore year, he transferred to RMU. He was named a captain as a senior, and finished the season as a nominee for the Hobey Baker Award and the Lowes Senior Class Award. He led his conference in goals, assists, and points, and finished third in the nation in points per game with an average of 1.44. Cruthers later became the first RMU alum to play in the AHL. Cruthers has also played in 32 American Hockey League games for five different clubs. The Aces will be the tenth pro team that Cruthers has suited up for.
Cox is in his second year and has appeared in 109 games for the Aces over the last two seasons. He totaled 60 points (28g, 32a). He also had three goals and an assist in 13 playoff games last season as part of the Aces Kelly Cup Championship squad.
The Aces are home on Friday and Saturday night to host the Colorado Eagles in their final two home games of the regular season. The Aces and Eagles are the top two teams in the Mountain Division. For more information and the latest promotional news and updates, fans can visit the Aces at their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey or call the Aces at 907.258.ACES.
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