Aces Seal More Deals

January 19, 2005 - SPHL (SPHL)
Asheville Aces News Release


The Asheville Aces made more roster moves Tuesday and Wednesday. Coming to Asheville are forward Chester Gallant and defenseman Richard Paul. Gallant and Paul were acquired from Winston-Salem for Chris Ferguson and Liam McCarthy.

This trade was the start of a major reshuffle within the SPHL as Jacksonville also got in on the action. After picking up Ferguson, Winston-Salem Coach Bryan Wells dealt him to the Barracudas in return for Billy Rochefort and former Aces Captain Peter Cermak. Once he had acquired Cermak, he immediately put him on waivers and Aces Coach Jeff Brubaker claimed him.

On Cermak's return to the Aces lineup, Brubaker said, "When I traded Peter, I told him that I would he might be back here someday, but I didn't expect it to be this soon. We've talked about the circumstances that lead to us trading him in the first place, and he's indicated to me that he understands what's expected of him and that he hopes to play here for a long time and we hope for the same thing." Brubaker added, "This is a weird business sometimes."

Gallant and Paul are both experienced players who Brubaker expects to bring leadership, toughness and professionalism to a much more focused Aces dressing room. In practice this week, the Aces have been noticeably more organized and ready to play to their true potential while preparing for two very important games Friday and Saturday night.

Two Aces players were called up to Greenville (ECHL) this week. Forward Joel Petkoff and Goalie Ryan Person got the call and are in Greenville indefinitely. To fill the void for Person, the Aces signed goalie Nick Niedert who had previously played in Macon this season. Niedert will get the start on Friday night as Mark Scally has to sit out a one-game suspension for his fight in Columbus last week. Scally will return to the lineup on Saturday. Aces Player/Assistant Coach Christian Stein will be the back-up goalie Friday.

The Aces travel to Huntsville Friday night for a game against the Havoc (8:30 p.m.) and return on Saturday for a game against the Polar Twins at the Civic Center. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m.



SPHL Stories from January 19, 2005


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