ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Scott Burt, who in his first year as captain of the Aces led the club to the Kelly Cup Finals, has agreed to terms on a one-year pact with Alaska for the 2009-10 season.

The team also announced that the Kalamazoo Wings, the newest members of the ECHL, will invade Sullivan Arena for a pair of pre-season games Wednesday, October 7, and Thursday, October 8, at 7:15 p.m.  The Wings joined the ECHL this summer after spending the last two years in the International Hockey League, which followed a stint in the United Hockey League (at a similar playing level) from 2000-07.  Kalamazoo won the UHL’s Colonial Cup in 2006, the same year that the Aces captured the Kelly Cup.  Prior to 2000, the Wings spent 26 seasons in the defunct IHL, which, at the time, was considered to be at a similar level as the American Hockey League.

The 32-year-old Burt came within one victory of becoming the first player to have his named engraved on the Kelly Cup on three separate occasions in 2009, leading Alaska all the way to Game 7 of the Finals, where the club lost to South Carolina 4-2.  He scored in each of the first two games of the Finals, including an empty-netter to seal a 3-1 victory over the Stingrays in Game 2.  Burt scored 20 goals during the regular season, the fourth time in his 11 full professional seasons that he has cracked that barrier.  Only once in his career has he played on a club that has failed to reach postseason play, and last year marked his third straight trip to at least the conference finals with three different teams (Idaho in 2007, Utah in 2008).

Burt enjoyed a career year with the Grizzlies in 2008 after seven seasons and two Kelly Cups (2004, 2007) as a member of the Steelheads.  His 2008-09 regular season highlights with the Aces included the game-winning goal on New Year’s Eve against Stockton and the game-tying goal coupled with a pair of fighting majors in a 5-3 win over Victoria Jan. 16.  

The Aces open the 2009-10 regular season at home against the Salmon Kings Oct. 16, 17 and 19, with all three games scheduled for a 7:15 p.m. start.  For those interested in season ticket or corporate sponsorship information, regular office hours at the corner of 15^th and Gambell are Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.