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Aces Add Team Toughness

December 29, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Asheville Aces News Release


The Aces made a couple of roster changes today in an effort to increase the level of team toughness. Acquired from Winston Salem are defenceman Chris Cloutier and forward Nobumasa Kinugasa who returns to the Aces lineup after being traded to the Polar Twins earlier this season.

To make room for the new additions, Head Coach/GM Jeff Brubaker placed forwards Chad Brandimore and Chris Affinati on waivers. When asked about the roster changes, Brubaker said, "We have to play a more physical brand of hockey and these guys [Cloutier and Kinugasa] will help us do that."

Cloutier, a 6'1", 215 pound defenceman from Angus, Ontario racked up 89 penalty minutes in twenty games this season with the Polar Twins before coming to the Aces. He also played seven games this season for the Port Huron Beacons in the United Hockey League .

Kinugasa is expected to bring the same hard work ethic and physical style of play he demonstrated earlier in the season when he was with the Aces. "Nobu is a great forechecker who creates opportunities in the offensive zone and he isn't afraid to mix it up with the other team's tough guys - we needed to bring in one or two guys who play that style", Brubaker noted.

The Aces will practice at the Civic Center on Wednesday morning and then head directly to Jacksonville for the start of their two game road trip. They play the Barracudas on Thursday and then travel to Fayetteville to take on the Fire Antz on Friday.

The next Aces home game is Saturday, January 1st, at 7:30 p.m. versus the Columbus Cottonmouths. Following the game, fans are invited to skate with the Aces players!

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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