The idle Alaska Aces -- they're on a 12-day hiatus from games after playing nine games in 12 days -- today received a reinforcement from Iowa of the AHL.
The Minnesota Wild affiliate sent the Aces rookie forward Ryan Walters, who two seasons ago while playing for Nebraska-Omaha was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as college hockey's best player. Walter this season put up 1-5--6 and +2 totals in 10 games for Iowa. The 23-year-old in four seasons at UNO posted 50-84--134 totals in 152 games. As a junior, he went 22-30--52 and +26 in 39 games.
His production declined some as a senior last season; still, 7-27--34 totals in 37 games.
Walters should provide the Aces a boost. He comes in shortly after rookie forward Zach Pochiro was shuttled back to juniors -- he's with Prince George of the WHL after the St. Louis Blues sent him back to there. Pochiro had two assists in eight games with the Aces, but clearly needed more seasoning. Pochiro furnished Prince George with a power-play assist in Wednesday's 6-1 win over Vancouver.
The Aces don't play again until Friday, Nov. 28, when they entertain the Idaho Steelheads,