Quick roundup of recent events, starting with NHL veteran center Scott Gomez of Anchorage opting out of his professional tryout agreement with the AHL's Hershey Bears.
Gomez, 36, began the season with the St. Louis Blues and, after he was released, hooked up with Hershey, where he delivered 4-20--24 totals in 18 games.
Maybe the end of the line for Gomez? We'll try to get up with him and see where his head's at.
Meanwhile, the Alaska Aces, who have been hampered by a series of injuries, especially on the blue line, have acquired defenseman Brandon Martell, 27, from ECHL Wichita. Martell, a 6-2, 210-pounder. Martell went 5-3--8 and -13 in 40 games with the Thunder. The Aces open a three-game series at Idaho on Wednesday -- that's the final stop on their season-long, nine-game road trip.
In junior news, goaltender Andrew Shortridge of Eagle River recently was named team MVP for the BCHL's Vernon Vipers. Shortridge, 20, in the regular season went 19-25-0 with a 3.15 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage that ranked fourth on the circuit. His 2,593 minutes played ranked second. In the fall, Shortridge is headed for Quinnipiac, which is currently ranked No. 1 in Division I pucks. Quinnipiac senior Michael Garteig is enjoying a terrific season -- 25-2-7, 1.82, .926, seven shutouts -- but he'll be gone at season's end and Shortridge should get a crack at the job next season.
Also, forward Kenny Hausinger of Anchorage on Tuesday via Twitter said he has committed to UMass-Lowell. Hausinger, 20, owns 15-27--42 totals in 46 games with the USHL's Des Moines Buccaneers, which ranks him tied for 10th on the circuit in scoring.