As the Alaska Aces prepare for a six-game road trip -- three games at Las Vegas this week, three at Ontario the following week -- there's no shortage of news from the ECHL club.

First, captain Scott Burt underwent surgery on Monday for a broken foot suffered blocking a shot last Saturday. He's out, likely for the rest of the way unless the Aces go very deep in the playoffs -- probably would require two or three rounds deep.

Second, winger/center Curtis Fraser, out the last four months or so with a dislocated left shoulder that required surgery, will be back in the lineup, likely playing limited minutes when the Aces open that three-game set in Vegas. Look for more on Fraser in a story in Thursday's dead-trees edition of the ADN.

Third, the Aces aren't likely to get goaltender Josh Johnson, whose ECHL rights they secured from Reading. Aces coach Brent Thompson said he talked to Johnson, who said he's suffering from a hip injury that will likely require off-season surgery. Thompson said Johnson, currently with AHL Manchester, told him he can play if needed, but the Aces don't seem likely to accept him -- simple reason: Once Johnson stepped foot on the ice for the Aces, they would be responsible for all his off-season medical bills, and if the guy has surgery, those would be substantial. (Anyhow, that deal with Reading has been rescinded, so the Aces are not out the undisclosed amount of cash in the initial deal.)

(Oh, and for those of you who saw AHL Portland sign a goalie, that's because Jhonas Enroth got hurt, which makes former Aces backstop Jean-Philippe Lamoureux No. 1 in Portland for now. And he's under contact to NHL Buffalo, so he's off the table. Let it go).

Fourth, winger Jarrett Konkle, acquired from Elmira last weekend, and newcomer Garry Nunn, fresh out of the Western Hockey League, are scheduled to meet the team in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Fifth, expect UAA winger Kevin Clark, fresh off a 23-goal senior campaign, to sign somewhere in the AHL at the minimum. That's my take on it -- I don't see him starting out in the ECHL.

Any help the Aces could get from UAF -- the obvious guy, should they be able to convince him to come here, would be excellent senior center Dion Knelsen -- will only come after a waiting game. UAF is sitting idle, waiting likely until Sunday to find out if it makes the NCAA Tournament.