Plagued by injuries and the call-up of their first-line center to the American Hockey League, the ECHL's Alaska Aces have added big winger Moises Gutierrez of Anchorage.

The 6-foot-4, 227-pound Gutierrez, a sixth-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2004 and a third-year pro, practiced with the club today. He was released by ECHL Utah in training camp.

Gutierrez, 23, last season earned 11-12--23 totals and 83 penalty minutes in 37 games with ECHL Elmira, and also played two AHL games. As a rookie with ECHL Texas in 2007-08, he put up 9-16--25 totals in 42 games and also put up 1-1--2 totals in 6 AHL games for Houston.

Aces coach Brent Thompson said he expects Gutierrez in the lineup when the club opens a three-game home series against Idaho on Friday night at Sullivan Arena.

The Aces could use forwards because they have five on the injured reserve and center John Lammers was loaned to AHL Manitoba earlier this week.

Prior to turning pro, Gutierrez spent five seasons in the major-junior Western Hockey League, leaving home at 16 to pursue his dream. His final season of junior, he racked 35-20--55 totals and 110 penalty minutes in 61 games with the Everett Silvertips.