Sports

Aces play game of roster twister

The Alaska Aces' dressing room is turning into tight quarters with the arrival of two more players assigned to the ECHL team from the Peoria Rivermen, its affiliate in the American Hockey League.

The Aces received rookie defenseman T.J. Fast and second-year forward Tomas Kana.

Both players are second-round draft picks under contract to the St. Louis Blues, the Aces' NHL affiliate. That means the Blues have considerable money invested in Fast and Kana, and that means they aren't here to gaze at the Chugach Mountains -- they'll play in a three-game homestand against Fresno, starting Friday night.

"Obviously, there are a lot of bodies in Peoria, and (Fast and Kana) need to play, so they'll get the ice time they need,'' said Aces coach Keith McCambridge. "They have to play.''

And that has prompted some roster juggling, because the Aces have 24 players in town and ECHL teams are only permitted 20 active players. ECHL teams can dress 18 players for games -- that generally breaks down to 10 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders.

Winger Bo Cheesman remains on the 30-day injured reserve after preseason back surgery and has been joined on the 30-day IR by winger Erik Fabian. Rookie defenseman Mike Gauthier has been placed on the seven-day IR and captain Scott Burt has been placed on the three-day IR.

Presto -- 20 active players.

ADVERTISEMENT

ECHL teams can put an unlimited number of players on the 30-day IR, but can place only one player each on the seven-day IR and three-day IR. League rules require players to remain on the IR for the allotted period of time.

With three games against the Falcons and a bit of flexibility with the three-day IR -- Burt is eligible to come off the three-day on Friday -- McCambridge can slightly alter his lineup throughout the Fresno series.

"We can spot guys in and out of the lineup to get a look at them,'' McCambridge said.

Easing the juggling somewhat for McCambridge is the fact two Aces players are currently on promotion to the AHL. Goaltender Chris Holt is with Peoria and defenseman Derick Martin is with the Providence Bruins.

Had one of those players, or both, been with the Aces, the arrival of Fast and Kana would have forced McCambridge to release a player or two.

The Aces caught another roster break of sorts regarding emergency backup goalie Jeff Barney of Anchorage. With Holt in Peoria, the Aces have used Barney for home games, but under ECHL rules an emergency backup goalie does not count as an active player.

Things are crowded in Peoria too, which is why Kana and Fast were shipped to Anchorage. The Rivermen have 15 forwards and eight defensemen on their roster. AHL teams can dress 20 players, which generally breaks down to 12 forwards, six defensemen and two goalies.

Kana, 20, played for the Aces briefly as a rookie last season -- two goals in 12 games -- before finishing the season in his native Czech Republic.

Fast, 21, this season played two games for Peoria. The former University of Denver blueliner was an all-league pick in the Western Hockey League last season, and finished fourth among defensemen in scoring with 17 goals and 54 points in 71 games.

Seawolves notes

Riding a four-game unbeaten streak (3-0-1) entering a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at Michigan Tech this weekend, UAA is on the brink of a national ranking.

The Seawolves (4-1-1 overall, 1-0-1 WCHA) were second among "other teams receiving votes'' in this week's USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Top 20 poll. They were fourth among others in USA Today's Top 15 poll.

The general feeling around the Seawolves: If a ranking happens, it happens. It's only six games into the season.

"We're just trying to focus on the positives, stick to our game plan and take care of business,'' said captain Mat Robinson.

Positives are plentiful for the Seawolves.

Their power-play efficiency (26.3 percent) ranks third in the nation. Their scoring offense (3.67 goals per game) ranks eighth. They have five players averaging at least one point per game and five players who have scored at least three goals. And their only loss was a 4-2 setback to Northeastern, which is ranked No. 9 in both polls.

The Seawolves also have a new recruit. Chris Heisenberg's recruiting Web site reported a commitment to UAA from Wes McLeod, a defenseman with the Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League.

ADVERTISEMENT

McLeod, 18, from Kamloops, B.C., owns 1-10--11 totals in 16 games this season.

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

By DOYLE WOODY

dwoody@adn.com

Doyle Woody

Doyle Woody covered hockey and other sports for the Anchorage Daily News for 34 years.

ADVERTISEMENT