Aces Finalize Roster, Prepare For Vegas
October 16, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -The Alaska Aces made final cuts and acquired defenseman Mike Gauthier from Elimira in exchange for cash considerations in preparation for tomorrow night's season opener against Las Vegas at Sullivan Arena.
Tomorrow's game begins at 7:15 p.m. and offers fans the opportunity to collect their free GCI Magnetic Schedule and purchase their commemorative Sarah Palin "Alaska Hockey Mom" tee shirt. The Aces swept a three-game series from the Wranglers in Anchorage last February, but fell in five games to Las Vegas in last year's National Conference semi-finals. The Wranglers went all the way to the Kelly Cup Finals before bowing in six games to ECHL champion Cincinnati. Alaska and Las Vegas meet again Saturday night at 7:15 p.m.
Gauthier will arrive in Anchorage late Thursday night and likely be in the lineup for tomorrow's season opener. The 21-year-old North Vancouver native played five full seasons in the Western Hockey League, mostly with Prince Albert. He led the WCHL with 264 minutes in penalties two years ago and finished eighth with 191 last season. The 6-4, 202-pound Gauthier was drafted in the sixth round by the St. Louis Blues in 2005.
Center Merit Waldrop and swingman David Jarram were the last two players in training camp released by the club, leaving the Aces with 14 forwards, six defensemen, and goaltenders Jean-Philippe Lamoureux and Chris Holt to start the season. Captain Scott Burt (groin) and 30-goal scorer Bo Cheesman (back) will begin the year on injured reserve. Colin and Brett Hemingway, Erik Fabian, Jordan Foreman, Alexandre Imbeault, Josh Soares, Luke Erickson, Cam Keith, Erik Feld, Vladimir Novak, Mike Curry, and Robin Richards will be up front, while returning players Ed Hill, Corbin Schmidt, Matt Shasby, and Lee Green join Gauthier and 2008 IHL All-Star Nick Tuzzolino on defense.
Friday and Saturday's games against Las Vegas will be broadcast live on the flagship home of Aces hockey, KFQD 750 AM, with coverage beginning at 7:00, 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.
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