The Alaska Aces today announced the signings of two low-profile players who become the first newcomers the ECHL club has revealed for the upcoming season.

The Aces have signed forward Tom Mele and defenseman Todd Orlando. Both are 26, and yet fairly new to the pro game.

Mele, a 6-foot, 175-pounder from the Bronx, won a Central Hockey League championship with the Fort Wayne Komets. He earned 7-11—18 totals, a +11 rating and racked 64 penalty minutes in 52 regular-season games last season, then went 2-3—5 in 17 playoff games.

Orlando on a couple data bases is listed at either 6-7 or 6-8 and either 225 or 232 – either way, huge dude. His pro history is tiny. Played 14 games for Hermes last season in a low Finnish division – 1-7—8 totals -- and one game for ECHL Cincy two seasons ago. Prior to that he played club hockey for Oakland University in 2007-08.

In any event, today’s announcement raises to 11 the number of players the Aces have announced for the upcoming season. The others are goaltender Gerald Coleman, center Nick Mazzolini, defenseman Kane Lafranchise, winger Jordan Kremyr, defenseman Steve Ward, winger Tim Hall, winger Matt Robinson, and wingers Garry Nunn and Tyler Ruegsegger.