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Returning home to play for the Alaska Aces is as exciting for Nate Thompson, Brandon Dubinsky and Joey Crabb as it is for the faithful fans who pack Sullivan Stadium on game nights. about old times in high school and growing up in minor and high school hockey." "It was a lot of fun growing up and playing hockey with him," Molle added. "I never really guessed I would get to play hockey with him again, but obviously it's a blast." Brandon Dubinsky When the opportunity presented itself to add three NHL-caliber players to his roster, Alaska coach Rob Murray welcomed the move, but he made it clear that he wanted a commitment from his new Aces. "You have to be invested in the team, I don't care what level you are playing at," said Murray, who coached Thompson with the AHL's Providence Bruins. "What these guys have shown through training camp … is they are invested. They want to be here." Joey Crabb Dubinsky understood the importance of buying into the team mentality. "You don't want to come into a locker room and be overbearing, especially in our case come in and think you're better than everyone in the locker room," he said. "We came here tip-toeing a little bit, but at the same time we're doing our best to help out these guys." World Championship, where he roomed with Crabb. Like his new teammates, Crabb hasn't been home for an Alaskan fall/winter since he was 15 years old, first playing with the National Team Development Program and then spending four years at Colorado College. After spending parts of the past two sea- sons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Crabb signed a contract with the Washington Capitals before the lockout. Even with his NHL experience, Crabb admitted he had butterflies during his Aces debut. "It's kind of funny that you get a little bit nervous. You wouldn't think so, but anytime you play in front of friends and family there is a little bit of nerves," Crabb said. "It's fun playing in front of them and giving them the chance to see me night in and night out." It's also been a chance to reconnect with family and friends that each player only sees for a short time during the summer. "You're so far away that you lose track of your friends and your family a little bit. You obviously don't get to see them as much as you like," said Dubinsky, who began his career with the N.Y. Rangers before being traded to Columbus during the offseason. This reunion also allowed Dubinsky to reconnect with childhood friends, includ- ing Dustin Molle, one of seven Aces on the roster this year from Anchorage. The two were best friends growing up on the ice together, but their careers sent them down separate paths, until now. "We sort of lost track of each other and literally didn't speak for two years," Dubinsky said. "Now he is my roommate [on the road]. What an opportunity for us to reminisce playoffs, and was named the league's MVP. All three called Gomez, the godfather of Alaska hockey, seeking his advice before making their final decision. (Only recently, Gomez also signed on to play with the Aces.) These are not the first NHL play- ers to suit up for the Aces dur- ing an NHL work stoppage. In 2004-05, Scott Gomez returned home to lead the Aces to the third round of the While it is important to stay in shape, Gomez said, playing for the Aces was also a way to give back to the community that helped launch their respective careers. "That community is sort of the reason I got to where I am," Dubinsky said. "It's an opportunity to give them something back too." For how long remains the multi-million dollar question. "Right now you never know," Dubinsky said. "We don't know when this thing is going to end. These guys are our team- mates right now, and we're excited to have them." N USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER.2012 23