Anchorage Daily News

Opening night in October can't get here soon enough for Alaska Aces defenseman Bryan Miller, repaired and ready for a return to the rink after enduring the fourth shoulder surgery of his young career.

You can't blame the blueliner for being eager -- the dude hasn't played a hockey game since a few days before last Christmas.

But after rehabbing his right shoulder and signing a contract for the upcoming season that the Aces of the ECHL announced Tuesday, Miller is primed for the puck to drop.

Alaska opens Oct. 17 against Las Vegas.

"I definitely have the itch,'' said Miller, 25. "It's been so long since I played a game.''

Miller prospered with the Aces through the first third of last season, contributing five goals, 13 assists and 18 points in 24 games, before a hit from behind by Victoria center Kiel McLeod on Dec. 21 torpedoed his season. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound McLeod drove the 5-10, 190-pounder Miller chest-first into the glass and then landed on Miller's back as the defenseman fell to the ice.

McLeod got a minor boarding penalty. Miller got another date with a surgeon. He also missed the ECHL All-Star Game in January -- Miller learned the day after his injury that he had been selected to play in the game.

The injury robbed the Aces of a right-handed shooting defenseman who played in all situations -- even strength, power play, short-handed. That proved yet another critical loss for a team hammered by injuries. Thirteen different Aces missed a combined 219 games to injuries.

The subsequent shoulder surgery Miller underwent Jan. 2 was his fourth -- he's had two on each shoulder. He rehabbed so quickly, though, he was nearly ready to return for the playoffs in April.

Miller, who will be a fourth-year pro, on Tuesday said he feels completely recovered.

"Obviously, I have to see the doctor one last time to get the go-ahead, but, yeah, I'm ready to go,'' he said. "I can kind of gauge it on how I've bounced back before (following surgery), and I feel great.

"It almost feels stronger because it has been put back together.''

Aces coach Keith McCambridge, reached in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he's visiting family, said he's excited to have Miller return because the defenseman is so multi-dimensional.

"I look for him to come in and quarterback our power play, be solid in his own zone and exploit our big ice at Sullivan Arena,'' McCambridge said. "He can play in every situation.''

Besides giving the Aces offense from the blue line and earning a plus-4 rating, Miller also went through his first 21 games last season without taking a penalty.

Even the one penalty he received last season was dubious -- replays showed Miller literally didn't touch Stockton's Pat Bateman, who ran into the Aces' net; Miller got a cross-checking minor.

"There's no stupid penalties,'' McCambridge said. "Positionally, he doesn't put himself in those situations where he has to take hooking or holding penalties.''

The Aces previously announced four other signings. Under contract are forwards Brett Hemingway, Colin Hemingway and Scott Burt, and defenseman Derick Martin.

Brett Hemingway and Martin are returners from last season. Colin Hemingway, Brett's older brother, played briefly for the Aces in their 2006 Kelly Cup season. Burt, a veteran who won two Kelly Cups with Idaho and flourished for Utah last season, will double as McCambridge's assistant coach.

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

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