Photos: Alaska Aces preseason game against Missouri Mavericks

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Alaska forward David Eddy reacts to scoring the first goal of the game against Missouri Mavericks goalie Parker Milner during the Aces first preseason game at the Sullivan Arena on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015.

Two of the strongest contenders vying to sign Liam Stewart in the offseason were the Missouri Mavericks and Alaska Aces, and the rookie forward has managed to cover both bases before the ECHL's regular season even starts.

Stewart signed with the Mavericks, who last Thursday traded him to the Aces. And, as it happens, those clubs opened a two-game exhibition series Monday night at Sullivan Arena – Missouri prevailed, 5-2, and Stewart racked a goal for the Aces – and will play three regular-season hockey games here starting Friday.

The puck occasionally takes strange bounces, and Stewart's fledging pro career already has taken an odd one.

"There were two teams, and I ended up with both,'' Stewart said with a laugh. ""Who thought it?''

Read more: A Maverick last week, Stewart scored on his old club as an Ace on Monday