Goldie and Cox Return to Aces
August 23, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
The 2011 Kelly Cup Champion Alaska Aces have re-signed last year's ECHL MVP, Wes Goldie and rookie standout from a year ago, Ethan Cox for the 2011-2012 season, Aces Head Coach Rob Murray announced on Tuesday afternoon. Goldie and Cox now bring the returning number of players from last season's championship team to five. The Aces will begin the defense of the Kelly Cup Championship with a pair of pre-season games against the Colorado Eagles on October 4 & 5 at Sullivan Arena, promoting cancer awareness. For more information on all Aces related news, please contact the Aces office at 907.258.ACES, or visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
Goldie, 32, had arguably the finest season of his 11-year, future Hall-of-Fame career last year. After being an Aces division rival for several years, Goldie transformed the record books in his first season in Alaska. Goldie led the ECHL with 46 goals, and was second with 83 points last season while pacing all Aces scorers. In addition to claiming his first career MVP award, he was also named to the First-Team All-ECHL squad, and won the Player of the Week award twice. His 46 goals moved him into second place in ECHL history with 335 career goals, just 33 behind the all-time leader, Rod Taylor. Goldie became the second player in league history to score 40 or more goals in five different seasons, and was the first player to ever accomplish that feat consecutively. The 32-year old continued to showcase his durability as well, playing in all 72 games for the fifth straight year, and moving into fifth place all time in ECHL games played with 627. In the last five years Goldie has not missed a game, and has amassed 221 goals - more than any other player in the league. He finished the season on a league best 18-game point streak that featured 29 points (16g, 13a) and a season-high, seven-game goal scoring streak.
In addition to all of his remarkable individual accomplishments, the native of London, Ontario also earned his first professional championship with the Aces. In 13 playoff games, Goldie had 14 points (3g, 11a) while helping to lead Alaska to their second ever ECHL Championship. The road to the Kelly Cup title took Goldie through the Victoria Salmon Kings, the club Goldie had captained for four seasons prior to joining the Aces. Rounding out his terrific campaign, the 6'1", 200 lbs. Goldie finished second in the league with 16 power-play goals and 290 shots, and ended the year fourth in plus-minus at +25. In his ECHL career Goldie has 544 points (335g, 209a) in 627 regular-season games with Pee Dee, Victoria, and Alaska. The upcoming season will be his 12th professional campaign. He becomes Alaska's third veteran signing for 2011-2012 year.
Cox, 24, returns to Alaska after a solid, first professional season. Cox embodied the Aces two-way system with 32 points (15g, 17a) in 56 games, while finishing second among all Aces players with a +21 rating. His 15 goals were one off the lead for all Alaska rookies. Cox added three goals and an assist in 13 playoff games. He impressed coaches at the next level as well, earning two separate call-ups to the American Hockey League with the Portland Pirates and Peoria Rivermen, where he combined for one assist in three games. The 5'10", 190 lbs. center from Richmond, BC played four seasons of collegiate hockey for Colgate University before turning pro. The senior co-captain was a two-time winner of Colgate's Best Defensive Player Award, and ended his career 7th on the University's all-time games played list with 150 contests.
The 2011 Kelly Cup Champion Alaska Aces will begin the 2011-2012 season on Friday, October 14 at Sullivan Arena when they host the Las Vegas Wranglers. 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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