ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Peoria Rivermen have assigned forward Dion Knelsen (pictured in action for UAF against Boston College Saturday) to Alaska for this week's homestand against Idaho and Stockton.  The club also has announced bus service options for those wishing to attend Aces playoff hockey in Wasilla next Monday and Tuesday.

The 21-year-old Knelsen led the University of Alaska-Fairbanks in scoring for the third straight year and finished tied for fifth in the CCHA with 43 points on 19 goals and 24 assists while earning all-conference honorable mention honors and leading the Nanooks to the NCAA tournament.  He had an assist on the first ever goal scored by UAF in the NCAA tournament, though the Nanooks eventually bowed to the Eagles, 3-1.  Knelsen's brother, Brandon, skated with his younger sibling for four years at UAF and will suit up for Idaho when the Steelheads open a two-game set against the Aces tonight at 7:15 p.m., broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM.  Dion leaves the Nanooks 17th on the school's all-time scoring list with 120 points (45g-75a) in 148 games.  To make room for Knelsen, Alaska released forward Evan Kotsopoulos.

Regardless of its playoff seeding, the Aces will open the 2010 Kelly Cup playoffs at the Menard Center in Wasilla next Monday and Tuesday night at 7:35 p.m.  The club, which needs just one win in its last four games to cement a postseason berth, has partnered with Premier Alaska Tours to provide transportation for fans wishing to attend the games.  A nominal fee of $5 for a round trip ticket will be charged, and fans may sign up and pre-pay at the Aces Help Desk located near the main entrance on the dry side, beginning tonight and continuing through tomorrow's rematch against the Steelheads as well as Friday and Saturday's dates with Stockton.  All games this week begin at 7:15 p.m.  The bus will depart from Lot 'C' at Sullivan Arena at 5:30 p.m., and fans may park their cars in that same lot, located next to Ben Boeke Arena and Cal Worthington Ford.