Aikins, Basiuk, Villeneuve, Peluso Added To National Roster

Published on January 20, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL) News Release

PRINCETON, N.J. - The ECHL on Friday announced that Long Beach rookie right wing Justin Aikins and defenseman Steve Villeneuve, Bakersfield defenseman Scott Basiuk and Las Vegas rookie left wing Marco Peluso have been added to the National Conference roster for the ECHL All-Star Game presented by Bud Light.

Aikens replaces injured Ice Dogs' teammate Ash Goldie while Villeneuve takes the roster spot of Las Vegas defenseman Tim Hambly, who is playing in the American Hockey League with Omaha. Basiuk is the replacement for injured Utah defenseman James Laux and Peluso replaces Bakersfield's Alexandre Bolduc, who is playing in the AHL with Manitoba.

Selected in the sixth round (173rd overall) by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, the 23-year-old Aikins has 26 points (9g-17a) in 22 games with Long Beach and seven points (4g-3a) in 10 games with Columbia, tying him for seventh among league rookies with 33 points (13g-20a).

In his second professional season, the 22-year-old Villeneuve has 20 points (6g-14a) in 37 games with Long Beach after scoring 20 points (5g-15a) in 70 regular season games and one assist in six Kelly Cup Playoff games with the Ice Dogs as a rookie.

In his second professional season, the 25-year-old Basiuk has 17 points (1g-16a) in 31 games with Bakersfield. In his rookie season in 2004-05, he had six points (1g-5a) in 27 games with South Carolina and nine points (2g-7a) in 42 games with Dayton while also playing one game in the AHL with Portland.

In his first full professional season, the 24-year-old Peluso has 18 points (6g-12a) in 27 games with Las Vegas after scoring nine points (2g-7a) in 12 games with the Wranglers after completing his college season in 2004-05.

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