Pont and McKay sign

Published on October 8, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


Anchorage, Alaska – The Anchorage Aces signed two forwards with distinctly different styles only 72 hours before the season gets underway Friday against arch rival Idaho.

Chris Pont will be back for a third season with the Aces after enjoying a tremendous training camp. He scored three goals in the intrasquad games over the weekend, including the game-winner Saturday night, and impressed head coach Rod Davidson with his grit and determination enough to earn a place among the final 20.

"Chris worked as hard as anyone in getting ready for training camp and that work ethic paid off for him handsomely," said Davidson. "He battles hard in the corners and has shown more of a scoring touch than I thought he had."

Pont, 27, managed just one goal and two assists in 33 games with Anchorage last year, but scored 31 points (12g-19a) in his impressive rookie campaign of 2000-01. He played four years at the Division I level at the University of Alaska-Anchorage, finishing his career with 22 goals and 18 assists in 120 games.

Whereas Pont will be expected to be part of an "energy" line, 26-year-old Mike McKay figures to be a key scoring threat on Davidson's second line this season. He pumped in 38 goals for Fort Wayne in the United Hockey League during his first full pro season two years ago, and followed up with a 26-goal effort for the Komets in 2001-02.

"Mike certainly has the potential to score 30 goals in this league," said Davidson. "He's the type of guy who can win a game for you when he's at the top of his game."

The Aces will play host to a final "meet & greet" with player autographs and photos tomorrow night at Sullivan Arena from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Fans also will have the opportunity to take advantage of the club's "red tag" sale, where the best seats still available for home games will be marked with a red tag.

The final practice before the start of the 72-game regular season will be at Tesoro Sports Centre tomorrow from 10:00 a.m.-noon and is open to the public. The season opens Friday night in Boise against the Steelheads, with live radio coverage beginning at 4:45 p.m. ADT. Jack Michaels handles the play-by-play duties for all games on KFQD 750 AM.

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