ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Alaska Aces have signed defenseman Nils Backstrom (pictured) to an amateur try-out agreement while the St. Louis Blues have assigned fellow blue-liner T.J. Fast to the club for Tuesday night's opener against the Idaho Steelheads.

Originally a ninth-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2004 NHL Draft, the 6-1, 202-pound Backstrom just completed his collegiate career at the University of Alaska-Anchorage, where he assisted on three goals in 27 games this season.  His university totals included six goals, 18 assists, and 130 penalty minutes in 110 career games.   The 23-year-old native of Stockholm, Sweden was tied for the lead among Seawolves defensemen with four goals as a junior in 2008-09.

Fast, who had been called up to Peoria (AHL) February 25, returns to the Aces still ranked in a tie for 22nd among ECHL defensemen in scoring with 30 points (9g-21a) despite playing only 42 games.  In 18 games for the Rivermen at various points this season, Fast has an assist and four PIM.  The 22-year-old Calgary native dished out a career-high four assists in a 5-4 overtime win over Bakersfield February 6 and scored the game-winning goal in overtime to beat Las Vegas 4-3 February 19.

Alaska plays host to Idaho Tuesday and Wednesday night at 7:15 p.m. and Stockton Friday and Saturday evening at 7:15 p.m.  The Aces need just one win or an Ontario loss to officially clinch a playoff spot.  All four games at Sullivan Arena this week will be broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM, with Peanut Farm Pre-Game Show coverage getting underway at 7 p.m.  Alaska owns a 13-game unbeaten streak (10-0-3) on home ice dating to January 9.