Aces sign blue-collar blueliners

Ditto for B.J. Crum, who suffered a separated shoulder late in the regular season -- no surgery required -- that kept him out of the Alaska Aces' run to the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals.

The Aces on Tuesday announced they have signed both defensemen, a couple of sturdy, stay-at-home types, for the 2009-2010 season.

Both say they are healthy and primed to get to training camp, which starts Oct. 2, and get back in the groove after finishing last season on the injured reserve list.

"It was really hard at first because I felt like I couldn't contribute at all,'' said Green, 27. "The organization is still giving you a paycheck and you almost feel a sense of guilt. And I'm the type of guy who wants to give something back to help the team.''

Case in point: In 2008-09, the native of Soldotna played much of the Aces' season with a broken hand.

Crum, 26, who also battled a thumb injury during the regular season after the Aces snatched him when his previous team (Augusta of the ECHL) folded, likewise said he is eager for training camp to begin.

"Missing the playoffs really hurt, especially when your team is winning and winning, and going to the Finals,'' Crum said by phone from Springfield, Mass. "You say, 'Man, I wish I was out there.' So I'm really excited for this season.''

Both defensemen were around for the playoff run. They participated in practices and usually stayed on the ice as long as any teammate needed to work on his game.

And their summer jobs seem to indicate they're healthy -- although even blue-collar labor isn't quite the same as banging bodies at high speeds. Green worked for a roofing company, and Crum worked in his family's landscaping business.

Aces coach Brent Thompson, reached in Traverse City, Mich., where he and captain/assistant coach Scott Burt are scouting an annual NHL prospects tournament, said Green and Crum should be plenty motivated.

"Any time someone's coming back from a setback, whether it's an injury or a bad year, they're even more eager to start the season,'' Thompson said. "And a hungry hockey player is a dangerous hockey player.''

Green, the former UAA captain who is entering his fifth pro season, last season earned one assist and a plus-1 rating in 18 games before his injury. The upcoming season will be his third with the Aces.

Crum, who will be a third-year pro, skated in 33 games for the Aces, with two assists and a plus-2 rating.

Both are in the mold of defensive defensemen, capable of delivering hard hits and making life uncomfortable for opposing forwards. Green is 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds and Crum checks in at 6-2, 205.

"The way I look at it is, we need those reliable defensive defensemen who can be physical and in your face,'' said Thompson, a former NHL blueliner. "And both play that way, with an edge.''

The signing of Green and Crum brings to eight the number of players the Aces have announced for the upcoming season. Already on board are forwards Burt, Lance Galbraith, Colin Hemingway, Brett Hemingway and Justin Johnson and defenseman Bryan Miller.

Find Doyle Woody's blog at adn.com/hockeyblog or call him at 257-4335.