The Alaska Aces just hit the practice ice at Ben Boeke Arena with a new defenseman in the fold – fourth-year pro Alain Goulet, who played part of last season for the Bakersfield Condors and previously played under Aces coach Rob Murray at AHL Providence, has signed with the Aces. (He has to have signed to be on the ice with the club in-season).

Goulet’s addition gives Murray’s battered blue line at least five defenseman for a three-game ECHL series against the San Francisco Bulls that opens Friday night at Sullivan Arena.

Goulet, 24, a 6-foot-1, 205-pounder who shoots right, has not played anywhere this season. Last season, in 46 games for Bako and 16 for ECHL Cincy, he put up 8-18—26 totals and a -4 rating.

Murray has been seeking defensemen because the Aces currently have five on the shelf – captain Steve Ward (broken leg), Kane Lafranchise (hit to the head), Corey Syvret (broken finger), Sean Curry (groin) and Todd Orlando (lower-body injury).

The Aces four other healthy D are Russ Sinkewich, Dustin Molle, and rookies William Wrenn (four pro games) and Chris Haltigin (one pro game). With Goulet’s addition, that’s five healthy cats – teams usually dress six for a game.

Goulet began his pro career in 2009-10 in Providence, where Murray was head coach. In 71 games, the sixth-round draft pick of the Boston Bruins delivered 3-15—18 and +1 totals. He split the 2010-11 season between Providence (2-6—8 and +1 in 16 games) and ECHL Reading (4-14—18 and +8 totals in 43 games).

Also, today, center Alexandre Imbeault, acquired in a trade Wednesday with Orlando, is on the ice with the Aces. Goulet and Imbeault, The Blog is told, arrived on the same flight late Wednesday night.