Everyone always says hockey is a small world, and more proof has arrived with Idaho's signing of Kevin Nastiuk, the former Alaska Aces goaltender the Aces released in training camp earlier this month.

And wouldn't you know it? The Steelheads are here this week for a three-game, ECHL series that opens Friday at Sullivan Arena.

The Steelheads (5-0-0) ran into a goaltender shortage when the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League plucked Rejean Beauchemin off their roster. Beauchemin for Idaho is 3-0-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average and .940 save percentage. Nastiuk will back up rookie Richard Bachman, the former Colorado College goalie.

The Aces know all about Manitoba. The Moose earlier this week signed Aces first-line center John Lammers.

Like we said, hockey is a small world.