Anchorage Daily News

Back in the day, a player of Lance Galbraith's mettle would merit this description: He can beat you on the ice and he can beat you in the alley.

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Lance Galbraith

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These days, he's called the complete package.

Or just call him an Alaska Ace.

Galbraith, a two-time ECHL Kelly Cup winner with the Idaho Steelheads who has forged a reputation as both a scorer and a scrapper, was signed by the Aces on Wednesday.

Basically, he's a Gordie Howe hat trick -- a goal, an assist and a fight -- waiting to happen.

Galbraith, 28, who began the season with the Texas Brahmas of the Central Hockey League, is best known for his four seasons with Idaho. He helped the Steelheads seize the Kelly Cup in 2007 and 2004. One of his teammates on those clubs was current Aces captain Scott Burt.

"You need someone to stir it up, he'll do it,'' Burt said. "Need a goal, he'll get you one.''

Indeed, Galbraith's season for Idaho in 2006-2007 was indicative of the winger's game. He scored a career-high 24 goals and furnished 64 points in 59 regular-season games that season, and also racked 238 penalty minutes. In 21 Kelly Cup games, he earned 11-16--27 totals and 64 penalty minutes.

"He's a point-per-game guy in this league and no one physically wants to play against him, and that combination is pretty rare,'' said Aces alternate captain Matt Shasby, the defenseman who has often played against Galbraith.

Shasby said that when the Aces traveled to Boise for a series against the Steelheads earlier this season, he assumed Galbraith was again playing for Idaho. Told by Burt that Galbraith was in Texas, Shasby said he was thankful.

"I was like, 'Thank, God,' " Shasby said. "It was a sigh of relief.''

Shasby recalled that several seasons ago when he played for the ECHL's Long Beach Ice Dogs, a hit from Galbraith drove the back of Shasby's head into the top of the boards. The ensuing concussion ended Shasby's playoffs.

"If you've played against him long enough, you're going to have some sort of story of him running into you,'' Shasby said.

Galbraith, an eighth-year pro, said he wasn't having fun in Texas, compiling 2-3--5 totals with 44 penalty minutes in 10 games. While looking for work elsewhere, he called Burt.

"Things just weren't working out,'' Galbraith said. "If I'm not coming to the rink with a smile on my face, that's not me.''

Burt, who doubles as coach Keith McCambridge's assistant, told McCambridge that Galbraith was available.

While in Victoria, British Columbia, on a road trip last week, McCambridge gathered Aces veterans Burt, Shasby and Cam Keith, as well as former NHL winger Colin Hemingway for a conference call with injured veteran defenseman Ed Hill. He wanted to know what his leaders thought of signing Galbraith.

"They all felt it would make us a stronger team, and it was something they were all behind,'' McCambridge said.

Galbraith visited Burt in Victoria. He practiced with the Aces this week, and was signed after clearing CHL waivers Wednesday.

"They've been a pain to play against,'' Galbraith said of the Aces, "so it's better to join them than play against them.

"Playing against them, I know they've always had a good team and they've won a championship (in 2006). I'm excited.''

Galbraith, who will travel with the Aces (12-3-1) when they leave town this morning on a three-game road trip to California, will fill the veteran slot currently open because of Hill's knee injury.

Each ECHL team is allotted a maximum four veterans on its active roster. McCambridge said the Aces will deal with a potential glut of veterans when, and if, all five are healthy at the same time.

McCambridge, whose team has been thinned by injuries and call-ups to the American Hockey League, said he's thrilled to add Galbraith.

"He's a competitor,'' McCambridge said. "He comes out and plays every single shift. He can score points, he can play physical, he's an agitator.''

In 351 career ECHL regular-season games, Galbraith has produced 105-157--262 totals and 1,669 penalty minutes. In his two Kelly Cup championship playoff runs, he combined for 18-22--40 totals and 115 penalty minutes in 39 games.

"I feel I'm a better hockey player when I'm more involved in the game, and that makes me more valuable to my team,'' Galbraith said.

Galbraith's style is reminiscent of former Aces forward Joe Talbot. One difference: Talbot was more a pure sniper, Galbraith is more abrasive on the ice.

The two were close friends and roommates in junior hockey before turning pro, and they fought in a 2007 Kelly Cup game in Boise.

"We both play the same style -- tough,'' Talbot said at the time. "I'm not going to take anything and he's not going to take anything. We're basically the same player.''

Galbraith agreed.

"It shows how much we want to win,'' Galbraith said at the time. "Obviously, he's in my way and I'm in his way.

"It's weird, but we don't hold a grudge.''

Nope, they're old school. After the Steelheads eliminated the Aces later in that series, Galbraith and Talbot went out for beers.

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

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