For a second there, thought I was having one of those "mini-strokes" — sifting through ECHL rosters for Alaskan connections, The Blog came upon a blast from so far in the past it stumped me just how long ago it was (and, granted, The Blog is so easily stumped).
Any puckheads out there recall Florian Iberer? D-man? Played for the Alaska Aces in 2006-07? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
Anyhow, our man Flo is playing for the ECHL's Reading Royals (1-1–2 through 6 games) in his first foray in North America since 06-07, when he earned 2-13–15 totals and a +25 rating in 49 games for the Aces. That season long ago he was 23 and 24 — December birthday — and now he's about a month away from 34. Iberer has been playing in his native Austria, and representing his country internationally, since his season with the Aces.
In any event, he's one of about three dozen Alaska connections in the ECHL this season, and to The Blog's admittedly small mind, the most interesting connections. There was at least on Alaska connection of 23 of the circuit's 27 clubs besides the Aces (we don't list the Aces' Alaska connections because — duh — all current players are obviously connected).
Without further ado, here at the Alaska connections in the ECHL (caveat: Sometimes, dudes move between the ECHL and AHL — I looked up these rosters Tuesday):
Adirondack Thunder — Former Aces center Greg Wolfe and former UAA center Matt Bailey.
Allen Americans — Former UAF defenseman Aaron Gens.
Atlanta Gladiators — Former Aces forward Bryan Cameron and former UAF defenseman Josh Atkinson.
Cincinnati Cyclones — Former Aces winger Tommy Mele and former Aces defenseman and player-coach Patrick Wellar, who is the Cyclones' assistant coach in his first season of retirement from playing.
Colorado Eagles — Former Aces defenseman Justin Harmonic.
Elmira Jackals — Former Aces defenseman Davis Vandane and former Aces goalie Andy Iles.
Florida Everblades — Former Aces defenseman Corey Syvret and former UAA forward Eric Scheid.
Idaho Steelheads — Former Aces defenseman Corbin Baldwin, who blocked three shots in the time in took me to type his name.
Indy Fuel — Former UAA and Aces forward/defenseman Tyler Currier and former UAA defenseman Chris Williams.
Kalamazoo Wings — Winger Tanner Sorenson of Anchorage and forward Austin Wuthrich of Anchorage.
Manchester Monarchs — Center Justin Gutierrez of Anchorage.
Missouri Mavericks — Former Aces forward John-Scott Dickson is head coach.
Norfolk Admirals — Former Aces center Zach Pochiro and former Aces goalie Connor Knapp.
Orlando Solar Bears — Former Aces winger Brett Findlay and former Aces forward Joe Perry.
Quad City Mallards — Former Aces center Chris Francis.
Rapid City Rush — Forward Hunter Fejes of Anchorage, former Aces center Ryan Walters and former Aces defenseman Garrett Haar.
Reading Royals — Former Aces defenseman Florian Iberer.
South Carolina Stingrays — Former Aces winger Olivier Archambault.
Toledo Walleye — Former UAA defenseman Derek Docken.
Tulsa Oilers — Former Aces goalie Steven Summerhays of Anchorage.
Utah Grizzlies — Defenseman Brian Cooper of Anchorage and former Aces forward Erik Higby.
Wheeling Nailers — Former UAA winger Jordan Kwas.
Wichita Thunder — Former UAA center Blake Tatchell, former Aces center Ryan Tesink, former Aces defenseman Landon Oslanski and former UAF goalie Scott Greenham.