Wes Goldie's life is a little hectic at the moment -- when we spoke on the phone today, he had just picked up a U-Haul in Victoria, British Columbia -- but the Alaska Aces' newest and most eye-opening signing said he's looking forward to his new gig in the ECHL.

Goldie, the circuit's top sniper -- 175 goals in the last four seasons -- became available when the Victoria Salmon Kings made it known he would not continue as their captain, though they still wanted him. Goldie announced he would not return to the club, and offers for employment were forthcoming immediately.

He said Aces coach Brent Thompson called him either the day of his announcement or the next day. He also spoke with Aces captain Scott Burt. Goldie said he seriously considered offers from a couple of other teams -- "It was pretty crazy for a while,'' he said -- but quickly decided to join the Aces.

"It really didn't take much coaxing,'' Goldie said. "I knew a lot about the organization from playing against them, and playing in Anchorage, so many times. It's been an organization I looked up to, and a classy one, and the management knows how to put a great team on the ice.

"It was pretty much a no-brainer.''

Goldie said he and his wife, Marsha, decided she and their three children -- daugher Madison (12) and sons Mason (9) and Makinnon (8) will spend the season back in London, Ontario, where Wes is from and where they have family. He said the family should be able to visit him a few times during the season. Goldie said he and his wife want to keep their kids from school-hopping as they grow up, and family back home will give Marsha and the kids a support system.

Leaving Victoria after four seasons will be tough on all the Goldies -- like most folks, mom, dad and the kids all made lots of friends there.

"It's going to be tough,'' Goldie said. "I don't think it'll hit me until that U-Haul pulls out. We made a lot of good friends here.''

Goldie said he and his family are departing Victoria on Sunday, when they'll get on a ferry to the mainland and drive across Canada to Ontario.