Montreal Canadiens Star Scott Gomez signs with Alaska Aces of ECHL -NHL Lockout Update
National Hockey League (NHL) veteran and Montreal Canadiens centre player, Scott Gomez has finally signed on officially with Alaska Aces of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) on Wednesday, November 7, 2012.
It was expected weeks back as news emerged about the veteran potentially making the move in order to keep fit during the lockout, but nothing had come out of the talks after late October.
Being a native of Anchorage, Alaska, Gomez is definitely excited not only at the fact he will be playing some competitive hockey once again, but will be doing it on his own turf.
"Just practicing (during training camp) got the competitive juices flowing,'' Gomez said by cell phone from Las Vegas, where he paid his own way, according to adn.com."It was just time. I still love the game, still love playing and being back home.”
"And the chance to play in front of family and friends again was just too much,'' Gomez added. "Just to be home and have a team here -- we're so proud of that. There's no need to leave.''
Gomez is a 32-year-old integral part of the Montreal Canadiens and continues to be one of the best in the NHL. He is a 27th former overall draft pick by the New Jersey Devils during the 1998 NHL Entry Draft and has played a number of seasons with
his original draft team, New York Rangers and most recently, the Montreal Canadiens.
The Alaskan native is a player that has potted 80-plus points in a single season and is still very capable of doing so despite a few bad recent years. He is also under contract at the moment with the Montreal Canadiens to a seven-year, $51.5 million deal,
which will make him an unrestricted free agent by the end of the 2013-2014 NHL regular season.
Gomez is expected to make his debut on November 14th, as the Alaska Aces go up against Colorado at home, which should definitely be an exciting matchup to watch especially for his fans and followers.
Many are hoping that this time in the minor league, Scott Gomez will regain his ability to put up high numbers.
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