Sports

Aces sign last season's leading scorer Kissel

Since the Alaska Aces acquired Dan Kissel for next to nothing in February 2011, all he has done for the ECHL power is average a goal every other game.

And deliver nearly a point per game.

And develop into a chronic pain for the circuit's goaltenders.

Sounds like a winger worth having, which is why the Aces announced Friday they have signed Kissel, their leading scorer last season, for the upcoming season.

Kissel, 25, last season tied for second in the league in goals and seventh in points with 35-33--68 totals in 70 games. He also led them in the postseason with five goals in 10 playoff games.

And in 97 regular-season games for the club since it plucked him from Gwinnett for future considerations -- in the ECHL, that's often just $200 or less -- Kissel has generated 46-45--91 totals and a plus-18 rating. Last season, he racked 10 power-play goals, furnished eight two-goal games and finished second in the league in shots on goal with 278.

Little wonder Aces bench boss Rob Murray is thrilled to again have the third-year pro who he called the team's most consistent offensive player a season ago.

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"Dan was a guy who produced wherever we put him,'' Murray said. "It didn't matter who he was playing with or what the situation was.

"You could always count on him to contribute offensively. To be able to rely on a guy like that night in and night out is an incredible asset to the team.''

Kissel did not return a message left on his cellphone Friday.

Kissel's return is clutch for the Aces because he will be the only holdover from the group that often comprised the team's top forward line and first power-play unit. Center Brian Swanson and winger Wes Goldie both retired in the spring.

Kissel's signing is the second announced by the Aces for the 2012-13 season, and gives them two pivotal players. The team last week announced the return of goaltender Gerald Coleman, who like Kissel helped the Aces to the 2011 Kelly Cup and consecutive Brabham Cups as the league's top team in the regular season.

Top-line talent

Since the Alaska Aces acquired winger Dan Kissel in February 2011, he has been a consistent goal scorer and point producer for the ECHL club. Here are his numbers with the Aces, in both the regular season and playoffs:

REGULAR SEASON

GAMES GOALS ASSISTS POINTS

97 46 45 91

PLAYOFFS

GAMES GOALS ASSISTS POINTS

23 8 10 18

By DOYLE WOODY

Anchorage Daily News

Doyle Woody

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

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