The end of one hockey season has bridged into the start of another for Scott Howes.
The ECHL's reigning Kelly Cup Most Valuable Player is headed back to the Alaska Aces.
Howes, a left wing instrumental in helping capture the Kelly Cup last season, will meet the team Wednesday in Las Vegas and be in the lineup Thursday when the Aces open the best-of-7, Western Conference finals against the Las Vegas Wranglers.
Howes' season in the American Hockey League ended Sunday, when his Bridgeport Sound Tigers were swept out of the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs. Still, he knew the Aces had included him on their reserve roster and wanted him back for their quest to become the first team to win consecutive ECHL championships since 1994.
Howes' only concern was whether he would be stepping on any toes by returning. Assurance from Aces staff and players that the team wanted him back, and as soon as possible, was all he needed to hear.
"Pretty much, it was an automatic yes,'' Howes said by cellphone Tuesday. "It's been a long season, hard on the body. And I even thought of other guys -- do I want to take the spot of a guy who has been there working hard?
"But knowing the feedback and talking to guys, it's easy to come, knowing that you're wanted. And knowing there's an absolute great chance of doing something great made it easier.''
Howes last season earned the Kelly Cup MVP by leading the Aces in points with 7-12--19 totals in 12 games.
His postseason performance became more dynamic by the round.
After furnishing 3-2--5 totals in a four-game sweep of Idaho, he torched his old club, Victoria, for 4-6--10 totals in a four-game sweep. That included the primary assist on Brian Swanson's game-winning goal with 8.9 seconds left in Game 1 and the game-winning strike with just 34.9 seconds left in Game 4.
In winning the Cup Finals in five games against Kalamazoo while playing with a bum shoulder that would require offseason surgery and a woozy head that kept him out of Game 3 -- mind you, the only playoff game the Aces lost -- he delivered four assists in three games. His first-period display in Game 4, when he generated two assists and seemingly toyed with the K-Wings' defense despite absorbing three brutal hits, helped the Aces take a 5-1 lead after 20 minutes.
In six games for the Aces this season before Bridgeport picked him up in November, Howes earned 2-2--4 totals. In 49 games for Bridgeport, he put up 11-11--22 totals.
Howes spent nearly all last season playing left wing on a line with former NHL center Brian Swanson and ECHL regular-season MVP Wes Goldie.
Aces coach Rob Murray said Tuesday he wasn't yet sure where he would slot Howes into the lineup.
Dan Kissel, who played the left wing on a line with Swanson and Goldie most of this season, led the Aces in regular-season scoring. He and second-line left wing Nick Mazzolini led the club with three goals in a five-game series win over Stockton in the conference semifinals. The second line of Ryan Cruthers centering Mazzolini and right wing Garry Nunn proved Alaska's best line against Stockton.
Howes could end up on the third line with center Chris Langkow and winger Jordan Kremyr if rookie right wing Chris Bruton, who missed the last game against Stockton with a lower-body injury, is unable to play.
"A little bit hinges on how Bruton is,'' Murray said. "(Howes) could be with Langkow. Not sure. But he balances things out.''
Howes said he'll play wherever Murray wants.
"Would it be nice to be back with Swanny and Golds? Yes,'' Howes said. "Rob will make that decision. I know Kissel has had a great season and Mazz has really produced.
"Hopefully, I can help wherever they slot me in.''
Murray said one benefit of Howes' return is that he's popular in the dressing room.
"He's a very well-liked guy on this team, and that's important,'' Murray said.
Goldie, the veteran who was also teammates with Howes in Victoria and a mentor of sorts, said Howes will bring energy and talent to the team.
"He's really passionate, and that carries over to a lot of guys who don't generally play that way, myself included,'' Goldie said. "We feed off that. And, obviously, he puts the puck in the net, which is always good.''
And Swanson said he spent part of Monday mediating a battle of texts between his 6-year-old son, Mac, and Howes, who have a spirited floor-hockey games when Howes is around.
"They're already talking smack,'' Swanson said.
"Mac doesn't hesitate to respond,'' Howes said, laughing. "Hopefully, we have a few mini-stick games in the room when I get back.''
Find Doyle Woody's blog at adn.com/hockeyblog or call him at 257-4335.
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