Posts on ‘February 26th, 2009’

Over the past few minutes, Aces Over Brooklyn has confirmed that defenseman Nick Grove has been traded from the Aces to the Hudson Valley Bears for future considerations.

Despite being one of the steadiest defensemen in the league this season with 22 points in 34 games, Brooklyn believed Grove was expendable once fellow defensemen Rob Miller and Andrew Scampoli rejoined the team.

According to the Aces, a revised work schedule also played a part in the move.

“Things have changed for him lately and we felt that he’d be a better fit with Hudson Valley right now because he’s very close with the staff over there,” said Aces head coach Chris Firriolo. “He’s been one of the best defensemen in the league all season, but we have seven [defensemen] right now and we had to make a move.”

Photo by Patrick Hickey Jr.

With Rob Miller and Mike Christensen back in the lineup today against the Hudson Valley Bears, the Brooklyn Aces will have the added toughness, grit and offense that they have been missing over the past few weeks.

That’s not to discount the efforts of players like Derek Kern, Eddie Chlanda and Matt McGilvray over the past few weeks, who were productive offensively and did an admirable job, but before the time of their injuries, Miller and Christensen were both without a doubt playing at an optimal level. Now that they’re back in the lineup, you can expect to see a much more polished Aces team with the cohesion and chemistry they had back in December, when they were virtually unbeatable.

“We’re going to be in much better shape once we get Robbie Miller and Mikey Christensen back,” said Aces head coach Chris Firriolo last Sunday. “With them back in the lineup we can see what we’re going to look like for the rest of the season and into the playoffs.”