The Aces acquired the rights to winger Justin Johnson from Cincinnati on August 3, 2009, in exchange for the rights to defenseman Doug Krantz, whose rights had been obtained from Wheeling last winter in the trade that sent Bo Cheesman to Wheeling. Johnson, who grew up in Anchorage and played four years at UAA, blossomed last year in his third full professional season, establishing new career-highs with 13 goals, 10 assists, 23 points, and a league-leading 259 minutes in penalties. The 28-year-old Johnson also led the ECHL with 31 fighting majors and scored twice in a 10-4 pounding of the Nailers Jan. 14, eventually helping the Cyclones advance to the 2009 American Conference finals. In 13 playoff games for the 2008 Kelly Cup champions, he contributed two goals and four assists. Johnson actually began his pro career and registered his first career point as a member of the Aces, playing four games at the end of the 2005-06 regular season on a team that went on to capture the 2006 Kelly Cup. In 2007-08, the 6-1, 220-pounder scored three of his eight goals for Utah (where he was a teammate of current Alaska captain Scott Burt) against Alaska and helped the Grizzlies reach the National Conference finals that season.