Ice Takes Defensive Measures with Pair of Signings
Published on April 24, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Indianapolis Ice News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, IN-- The Indianapolis Ice announced today that the team has re-signed defensemen Ryan Aikia (AIK-e-uh) and Nate Elliott to contracts for next season.
Paired together for much of the year, the veteran/rookie duo of Aikia and Elliott were counted on immensely last season in containing the other teams' top scoring lines and being valuable cogs on the Ice's penalty kill.
"The signing of Ryan and Nate secures us two of our top defensive defensivemen," said Ice Head Coach Ken McRae. "They are two players who competed on a high level every night and played regularly against the other team's top scoring line.
Aikia, 29, returns to Indy for his third consecutive year and recorded 19 points (2G, 17A) and 88 penalty minutes in 63 games of work this past season. He also added an assist and eight penalty minutes in eight playoff games. In two years with the Ice, he has compiled 38 points (7G, 31A) and 146 penalty minutes in 118 games.
"I am happy to re-sign with such a top-notch organization," said Aikia. "I am also thrilled to play for Ken again as I feel I became a better defensive player under his direction this season.
The veteran blueliner has played six years professionally and will enter the 2003-04 season two points shy of 200 and five games away from 400 for his pro career. Overall, his six-year numbers consist of 198 points (39G, 159A) and 675 penalty minutes in 395 games.
Elliott, 24, is coming off a strong rookie campaign with the Ice as he was one of the league's top rookie defensemen. The 6-2, 215-pounder played in all 64 regular season games and all eight playoff games. For the regular season, he registered a respectable 16 points (8G, 8A) offensively and was second among Ice defensemen and fourth overall on the team with a (+17) plus/minus. His playoff totals included an assist and ten penalty minutes.
"We had a great season last year and I feel we will have a good nucleus coming back," said Elliott. "It was also a no-brainer returning to play for Ken as I learned a lot from him in my first year as a pro.
Before turning pro last year, the big rearguard was a four-year standout at Oswego State (SUNYAC-NCAA-III) where he produced 70 points (24G, 46A) and over 150 penalty minutes in 110 games at the school.
In other news, the Oklahoma City Blazers have acquired the rights to Ice centerman Greg Olsen as the player to be named later to complete last November's trade for Jared Dumba. In 63 games for the Ice this past year, the forward accumulated 27 points (11G, 16A) and 149 penalty minutes.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 24, 2003
- Blazers Acquire Olsen and Bourque - Oklahoma City Blazers
- Ice Takes Defensive Measures with Pair of Signings - Indianapolis Ice
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