Anchorage Daily News

Maybe Corbin Schmidt's absence will be attributed to a sudden case of the flu. Or perhaps that old hockey standby, an undisclosed upper body injury. Maybe even the ominous-sounding "coach's decision.''

Whatever the case, count on the Alaska Aces defenseman from Anchorage missing at least two regular-season games in the upcoming campaign.

The ECHL club on Thursday announced it has re-signed Schmidt, who will play his fourth season with the only team he's skated for as a pro.

The signing came with an undisclosed caveat -- missing two games will aid both Schmidt and the club. If Schmidt plays 70 of the team's 72 regular-season games, he will enter the 2009-10 season with 259 career regular-season pro games. That's one game shy of the minimum number that gets an ECHL skater designated a "veteran,'' of which each club can only have four.

"I haven't planned it out yet,'' Schmidt joked. "I'm sure I'll get an ankle injury, or a 'broke toe.' We'll find a way for me to miss a couple games.''

The Aces also announced the signing of returning defenseman Ed Hill, who enters his eighth season as a pro and is the third veteran secured by the team. Expect captain Matt Shasby, who has said he will play this season, to be the fourth vet.

Schmidt, who turns 28 today, last season produced five goals and 21 assists for 26 points in 71 games. Aces coach Keith McCambridge expects Schmidt to elevate his play this season.

"Corbin really found his game, I felt, toward the last part of last season, when he gained more consistency,'' McCambridge said. "Now, for him, the goal is to become an upper-echelon player. He has all the tools.''

Schmidt plays in all situations, but McCambridge also values him for his easy-going, joking nature, which keeps things upbeat in the dressing room.

Since he became an Ace after playing four college seasons at UAF, Schmidt has also been something of a team social director, particularly helping players new to the organization get familiar with the city.

''If they want to check something out, I tell them, 'Hop in my car, I'll take you over there,' " Schmidt said. "You take it upon yourself to show them how things run around here.

"Guys like (teammate) Lee Green and myself, who grew up in Alaska, it's kind of embedded in us to do that.''

The additions of Schmidt and Hill solidifies the core of returning blueliners. Previously signed on the blue line were returners Green, Derick Martin and Bryan Miller. And Shasby is expected back.

Hill, 27, is eager to play in good health. He joined the Aces in February after opening last season in Germany, but arrived here with an ankle injury and later played through a partially-torn patella tendon that required surgery the week after the season ended.

"We didn't see Ed Hill at his best, didn't see what he has to offer,'' McCambridge said. "I'm excited to see him at 100 percent.''

Hill furnished three assists in 19 regular-season games and played all nine playoff games (one goal, one assist) despite his knee injury.

"It was frustrating, but you know what, I played the best I could,'' Hill said. "I'm pumped just to play this season.''

Hill said he feels healthy after rehabilitating his knee, and happy to return to a place where he said he had the most fun in his pro career.

The Aces have now signed 17 players -- 10 returners and seven new players. Gone are past veterans Kimbi Daniels (signed with ECHL Phoenix), Olivier Filion (France) and Peter Metcalf (Denmark).

Those three players skated a combined 15 seasons for the franchise.

"They're all great players, and I loved playing with them last year,'' Hill said. "But it's good to have new blood too.

"The great thing about this place, this ownership and this management, is they're always going to have a good team. Guys really want to play here.''

Shuffling the deck

Filion scored one goal and one assist in his debut with Les Ducs D'Angers in France's top league.

Metcalf has recorded two assists in three games with the Odense Bulldogs in Denmark. That club also features former Aces defenseman Felipe Larranaga and former UAF defenseman Dwayne Zinger.

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

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