The Alaska Aces opened their training camp Friday morning, September 28, 2012. Three NHL players with roots in Anchorage joined the team for camp. Scott Gomez (Montreal Canadiens), Nate Thompson (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Joey Crabb (Washington Capitals) are currently locked out of NHL play. Crabb has signed a one-year deal with the Aces and Thompson, who practiced under a professional tryout agreement Friday, said he will sign a one-year deal with the team. Gomez, who played for the Aces during the NHL lockout in 2004-05, is only practicing with the team under a PTO and has said he does not intend to play for the Aces again.