ACES ADD NHL PROSPECT WRENN, SIGN SYVRET
The Alaska Aces have signed defensemen William Wrenn, and Corey Syvret to contracts for the 2012-2013 season, Aces Head Coach Rob Murray announced on Thursday. The Aces also announced that six players, including Wrenn and Syvret, are taking part in AHL training camps. Aces training camp opens on Friday and the 2012-2013 Aces season begins on the road on October 12. The club will return home on Friday, October 19 at Sullivan Arena for their regular season home opener. Season ticket and sponsorship packages are currently available through the Aces office at 15th & Gambell. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
Wrenn, 21, is a 6’1”, 210 lbs. defenseman who will make his pro debut with the Aces this season. A local product from Anchorage, Wrenn is a highly touted blue liner that was drafted in the second round (43rd overall) by the San Jose Sharks in the 2009 NHL Draft. Wrenn has split the last three years between college hockey and juniors. In 2009 Wrenn joined the University of Denver, where he appeared in 23 games and was teammates with current Aces forward Tyler Ruegsegger. However, in the middle of his sophomore year, he left DU and joined the Western Hockey League’s Portland Winterhawks where he had a more expanded role with the club. In 89 regular season games, he amassed 29 points (5g, 24a) 44 penalty minutes, and an astonishing +45 rating. He also played in 43 playoff games with the Winterhawks, making it to the WHL Finals in both seasons.
Last year as the Portland captain, Wrenn led the club to within a game of the league championship and a Memorial Cup berth as the Winterhawks fell in Game 7 of the Finals to the Edmonton Oil Kings. Prior to joining the University of Denver, Wrenn played two seasons for the U.S. National Team Development Program. He won a gold medal with the U.S. in the 2009 IIHF Under-18 World Championships. He scored three goals in that tournament, including a goal against Russia, as part of a 5-0 win in the gold medal game. Wrenn is opening training camp with the Worcester Sharks – the AHL affiliate of San Jose.
Syvret, 23, was acquired last week from the Trenton Titans. He is entering his third pro season, most of which has been spent in the ECHL. A former sixth round selection of the Florida Panthers, the 6’2, 200 lbs. defenseman has spent seven games in the AHL. The Millgrove, Ontario native is starting training camp with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.
In addition to Wrenn and Syvret, four fellow Aces are starting their 2012 training camp at the AHL level. Forwards Tyler Ruegsegger, Garry Nunn, and Jordan Kremyr are all taking camp with the Abbotsford Heat. Ruegsegger is a former sixth round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who has played 20 AHL games the last two seasons – 16 for the Heat. Nunn and Kremyr have both spent their entire pro careers thus far with the Aces. Also in AHL training camp, defenseman Kane Lafranchise is skating with the Lake Erie Monsters. All 91 of Lafranchise’s career games have been played for Alaska. Last season he tied for 14th in ECHL scoring by a defenseman.
With training camp less than a day away, the Aces have 22 total players under contract. Their roster consists of three goaltenders, eight defensemen, and 11 forwards.
2012-2013 Alaska Aces Roster
Gerald Coleman , G
Mark Guggenberger, G
James Reid, G
Sean Curry, D
Kane Lafranchise, D
Danny Markowitz, D
Todd Orlando, D
Russ Sinkewich, D
Corey Syvret, D
Steve Ward, D
William Wrenn, D
Matt Ambroz, F
Tim Hall, F
Zach Harrison, F
Bobby Hughes, F
Jordan Kremyr, F
Nick Mazzolini, F
Tommy Mele, F
Garry Nunn, F
Matt Robinson, F
Tyler Ruegsegger, F
Jarred Smith, F
The Aces 2012-2013 season begins on the road and the club will return home on Friday, October 19 at Sullivan Arena. Season ticket and sponsorship packages are currently available through the Aces office at 15th & Gambell. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
