The other skate dropped on the Frank Doyle trade today: The Alaska Aces are sending winger Matt Stefanishion to Charlotte to complete the ECHL deal that brought goaltender Doyle here a month ago, Stefanishion confirmed late this morning.

The departure of Stefanishion, who with 14 goals in 30 games ranked as the second-leading goal scorer left on the club, comes on the heels of scoring leader Alexandre Imbeault's move to the Czech Republic; the trade of Colin Hemingway, last season's leading scorer, to Stockton; and the prolonged promotion to the American Hockey League of leading goal scorer John Lammers.

Stefanishion said coach Brent Thompson told him before practice today that the trade, which Stefanishion said he knew was in the works for a couple of weeks, was being finalized. Stefanishion did not practice -- he watched from the stands with injured winger Curtis Fraser -- and said he was awaiting word from Charlotte about his travel plans.

Stefanishion last season helped the Aces reach Game 7 of the Kelly Cup Finals. Stefanishion last season also played 15 games for AHL Hartford, which is Charlotte's affiliate.

"Playing in Hartford last year, I guess they liked me and it was a strong consideration in the trade,'' Stefanishion said. "Hopefully, it works out well and I get another opportunity to get up to the American League.

"It's disappointing (leaving Alaska). I enjoyed playing here and we had a helluva run last year. (Going to Charlotte) is an opportunity and we'll just have to see where it takes me.''

Meanwhile, Stefanishion's departure further thins out the forward ranks, which already are razor thin. The Aces are down to eight healthy regular forwards, which is why Merit Waldrop was back at practice with the club today. The former UAA skater played four games for them recently when they were thin.

Captain Scott Burt (knee surgery) remains out entering Wednesday's opener of a three-game home series against Bakersfield. Defenseman Bryan Miller (shoulder) remains out, too.

Meanwhile, defenseman Tyson Marsh (ankle tendon surgery) today skated in practice for the first time since his injury. Fraser (shoulder surgery) said he thinks he's a couple weeks away from beginning practices and still is shooting for an early-March return.

With the departures of Stefanishion and Imbeault, the trade of Colin Hemingway and Lammers still gone, that's 65 goals gone from the lineup. Add Judd Blackwater and his 15 goals -- Blackwater was acquired in the Hemingway deal -- and that's 50 goals still gone. Basically one-third of the 147 goals the Aces have scored this season.