Aces Re-Sign Forwards Evan Trupp and Andy Taranto
Published on September 5, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Alaska Aces have re-signed forwards Evan Trupp and Andy Taranto for the 2013-14 season, Aces head coach Rob Murray announced today.
Trupp is an Anchorage native and carries three high school state championships, while Taranto played college hockey at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. The duo boosts the total to five players returning from last season's Aces squad that captured their third consecutive Brabham Cup title for the ECHL's top regular season record.
Trupp, 25, collected eight points (2g-6a) and a +2 rating in ten games with the Aces last season and added five points (2g-3a) in 11 Kelly Cup Playoff games. He was acquired from the Bakersfield Condors at last season's trade deadline on Mar. 7 in exchange for forward Shawn Skelly and defenseman Chris Haltigin.
The 5-foot-10, 157-pound forward earned 35 points (7g-28a) in 70 games during the 2012-13 season with the Aces and Condors. He has skated in 115 career ECHL games through two seasons with Alaska, Bakersfield and Cincinnati, picking up 69 points (19g-50a).
Trupp previously suited up in 157 career college games with national power University of North Dakota (NCAA) and notched 108 points (40g-68a) along with a +39 rating. He helped guide the Fighting Sioux to back-to-back WCHA championships and earned North Dakota's Cliff "Fido" Purpur Award (hard work, determination and being a creator of excitement on the ice) in his final two seasons, which included a trip to the NCAA Frozen Four as a 2010-11 senior.
Trupp also earned recognition on ESPN's SportsNation that year for a lacrosse-style rush up ice against No. 13 Colorado College.
He graduated from South Anchorage High and helped guide the team to a state title in 2005. He also contributed to Service High's run in back-to-back state championships from 2003-04 and was named the 2004-05 Anchorage Daily News/State Hockey Coaches Player of the Year.
Taranto, 25, made his pro debut with the Aces last season and earned an assist in two regular season games. He suited up in six Kelly Cup Playoff games, earning five points (3g-2a) while scoring a goal in his postseason debut against San Francisco in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
He will skate with the Calgary Flames (NHL affiliate of the Aces) in the 2013 Young Stars Classic, hosted by the Vancouver Canucks in Penticton, British Columbia through Sept. 9.
The 6-foot, 205-pound forward posted 120 points (59g-61a) in 146 career games in college at UAF while adding 210 penalty minutes. He notched at least 12 goals and 22 points during all four seasons, finishing as one of the top two scorers in three campaigns.
As a freshman for the Nanooks, Taranto opened his collegiate career finishing second on the program in scoring, notching 42 points (18g-24a) in 39 games while earning CCHA Rookie of the Year honors.
The native of Downers Grove, Ill. was named to the CCHA's Second All-Star Team and was UAF's leading scorer with 30 points (16g-14a) in 37 games as a 2012-13 senior. During a stretch that season, where Taranto earned points in 15 of his final 19 games, he racked up a season high three points (2g-1a) on Mar. 2 at Sullivan Arena in the Nanooks' fourth straight Governor's Cup title over UAA.
Taranto was originally signed by the Aces as a free agent on Mar. 29, 2013.
The Aces will begin their 2013-14 season at home on Friday, Oct. 18 at Sullivan Arena when they host the San Francisco Bulls. 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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