Novak will suit up for a fourth year as an Ace
Published on September 12, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Vladimir Novak, whose career year ended prematurely last March, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Aces for the 2007-08 season and hopes to return in early December.
The 27-year-old Novak, a native of the Czech Republic, already had exceeded his previous bests with 18 goals, 20 assists, and 38 points, when he suffered a tibial plateau fracture at Long Beach March 17. At the time of his injury, he ranked second in the ECHL at +30 (he would finish third) and tied for third with six shorthanded goals (where he stayed). Among his season highlights, the 6-1, 193-pounder scored the game-winning goal 52 seconds into overtime in a Kelly Cup Finals rematch at Gwinnett January 30.
Novak scored four goals and assisted on two others in Alaska's run to the 2006 Kelly Cup after finishing a solid +23 and contributing 16 goals during the regular season. As a rookie, he scored the game-winning goal as the Aces clinched the first division title in their history April 5, 2005 at Las Vegas. Novak played on the 1999 Czech Republic team that won the World Juniors before enrolling at UAA. His best year with the Seawolves came as a sophomore in 2002, when he tallied 24 points (7g-17a), accounting for exactly half of his point total over four seasons and 140 collegiate games.
Alaska also has hired Mike Lefczik to replace the departed Mark Kincher as its head equipment manager. Kincher left the Aces recently for a similar position with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League. The 24-year-old Lefczik most recently served as an assistant under former Alaska equipment manager Damion Parmelee (2003-06) with the Philadelphia Phantoms in the AHL.
The Aces play host to two pre-season games against Texas at Sullivan Arena October 10-11, benefiting Breast Cancer Awareness and the Alaska chapter of the American Cancer Society. Both games will start at 7:15 p.m. and will feature the Aces home ice painted pink and the players in commemorative pink jerseys, which will be auctioned off after the October 11 game. Alaska opens its regular season October 23 in Fresno at 6:05 p.m. AST, while its home opener has been scheduled for Friday, November 2, at 7:15 p.m., in the first of three games against the Florida Everblades.
ECHL Stories from September 12, 2007
- Novak will suit up for a fourth year as an Ace - Alaska Aces
- Ice Pilots Launch New State of the Art Web-Site - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Crane Promoted To Director Of Marketing/Licensing - ECHL
- Leisenring Re-Signs for Second Season, Iberer Agrees to Terms - Fresno Falcons
- Gladiators Sign Pair of Forwards - Atlanta Gladiators
- Jackals land veteran voice for team's ECHL debut - Elmira Jackals
- RoadRunners Agree To Terms With Pszenyczny, Yandle - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Falcons Sign Broadcasting Partnership with 790 ESPN Radio - Fresno Falcons
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