Jaromir Blagr: The Hockey Blog

Aces sign 2 defensemen: One vet, one rookie

The ECHL champion Alaska Aces today announced they have signed two more defensemen, veteran Brad Cole and rookie Cameron Harvey.

Cole, 27, last season earned 5-15--20 totals and a +11 rating in 67 games with the ECHL's Greenville Road Warriors, and he added six assists and a +4 rating in 18 playoff games. The 6-foot-4, 205-pounder, who is entering his eighth pro season, has 161 games of AHL experience and counts as a veteran. ECHL rules permit each team a maximum of four veterans (260 games in qualifying leagues, goalies are exempt) and the Aces now have signed three -- wingers Brendan Connolly and Justin Johnson, and Cole.

Alaska also said it has signed Harvey, 24, a rookie who last spring finished his four-year career at Division III UMass-Boston. The 6-1, 190-pounder had one goal in 22 games last season and 6-14--20 totals in 98 career games. The Aces last season took on defenseman Brad Richard, who came from D-III, and he developed into an offensive threat and made the ECHL's All-Rookie team.

The Aces have announced the signings of 15 players so far, and also previously announced acquiring the rights to promising rookie forward Greg Wolfe.

Doyle Woody

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

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