Aces Sign Alain Goulet; Release Matt Ambroz

[chilly666]

The Alaska Aces have signed free agent defenseman Alain Goulet, Aces Head Coach, Rob Murray announced on Thursday. The moved headlined a busy day of transactions for the Aces, who also released second-year forward Matt Ambroz. Goulet practiced with the Aces on Thursday and will be in the lineup this weekend when Alaska hosts the expansion San Francisco Bulls for the first ever meeting between the clubs.

Goulet, 24, comes to the Aces after spending most of last year with the Bakersfield Condors. A late season trade landed him with the Cincinnati Cyclones, and he combined to notch 26 points (8g, 18a) in 62 games last year. Goulet is a 6'3", 200 lbs. native of Kapuskasing, Ontario who was a 2007, 6th rd. draft pick of the Boston Bruins. The blue liner has a history with Murray, having spent his rookie season under the Aces bench boss with the Providence Bruins in 2009-2010. That year he totaled 18 points (3g, 15a) in 71 games. He added 16 games with the P-Bruins the following year and contributed another 8 points (2g, 6a) in 16 games, while also appearing in 43 games for the Reading Royals.

Prior to turning pro, Goulet spent a season and a half at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, before finishing up the 2008-2009 season with the Gatineau Olympiques in the QMJHL. He was a force from the back end in his short time in major juniors, notching 35 points (16g, 19a) in 32 games for Gatineau.

Ambroz departs Alaska after appearing in 48 games last season, and registering 10 points (3g, 7a) and a team-high 88 penalty minutes. He appeared in one game for the Aces this season. Ambroz made his pro debut as an amateur in 2011, playing in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals for the Aces.