Posted : : 09/01/2005
SEPTEMBER BRINGS ANOTHER BLACK BEAR
“Maine West” movement continues as Aces land former All-American
Alaska Aces Press Release
Anchorage, AK - Defenseman Peter Metcalf became the fourth ex-Maine player to sign with the Alaska Aces when he agreed to a one-year deal with the team for the 2005-06 season.
The 26-year-old Metcalf split last season between Utah (formerly in the American Hockey League, now a division rival of Alaska's in the ECHL West) and Idaho, scoring a combined six goals with 21 assists and 150 minutes in penalties over 69 regular season games. He scored one goal for the Steelheads in a four-game playoff loss to Long Beach in the first round. All three of Metcalf's pro campaigns have seen him compete both in the ECHL and the AHL.
Originally a ninth-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1999 NHL Draft, Metcalf enrolled at the University of Maine in the fall of 1998 and finished his collegiate career with 24 goals and 84 assists in 148 games. He led the Black Bears to the 2002 NCAA championship game against Minnesota (where they lost 4-3 in OT) with an All-American season as a senior, scoring nine goals and assisting on 41 others. As a freshman, Metcalf contributed six goals and 17 helpers for the 1999 national champions, who won two overtime games at the NCAA Frozen Four (2-1 over Boston College and 3-2 over New Hampshire) to claim the title.
Metcalf may be entering his first season in an Aces uniform but he should be no stranger to the roster, having played three seasons at Maine with new Alaska teammate Chris Heisten and one each with Colin Shields and John Ronan. He also began the 2002-03 season as a teammate of Mike Scott on the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (now re-located to Stockton, Calif.), a club that eventually won the Kelly Cup as Metcalf scored four goals and assisted on six others in 19 playoff games. The six-foot, 200-pounder from South Boston was reunited with Scott in the 2004 AHL Calder Cup playoffs as a member of the Providence Bruins.
Alaska and San Diego lift the lid on the 2005-06 regular season Friday, October 21, at 7:15 p.m. in the opener of a three-game series at Sullivan Arena. Dayton will visit Anchorage for two pre-season games October 12 and 13 at 7:15 p.m. The Aces, now entering their 11th season as a professional hockey club, are proud affiliates of the St. Louis Blues (NHL) and the Peoria Rivermen (AHL). For 2005-06 season ticket information, please call 258-ACES.
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