Aces: The Exodus To The AHL Begins (Fast Moves Forward)

Alaska Aces defenseman T.J. Fast has been called up by the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League, and is headed east as this is written.

Fast is the first AHL call-up this season for the Aces, an ECHL club that has started 4-0-0 and plays Las Vegas tonight.

The Rivermen need a 'D' because Justin Fletcher is out 6-8 weeks with a broken hand. Fast, a second-year pro under an NHL contract with the parent St. Louis Blues, has played well for the Aces so far, and coach Brent Thompson singled him out for praise after Thursday night's 5-2 Aces win in Vegas.

The Aces will also be without defenseman Ryan Turek, who injured his shoulder Thursday and has been placed on the 7-day injured reserve list.

Meanwhile, defenseman B.J. Crum was activated and will likely make his season debut tonight. Expect Lee Green in the lineup for the second straight night. Crum and Green will be joined by Derick Martin, Tyson Marsh, Bryan Miller and Nick Tuzzolino to give the Aces six D. With Fast gone and Turek out, that's the six healthy D the Aces have.