Aneloski returns to Mavericks

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -Defenseman Bryce Aneloski is set to begin his second stint with the Kansas City Mavericks after signing with the team for the 2017-18 season.

The Mavericks are the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames and the American Hockey League's Stockton Heat.

Aneloski, 27, played for the Mavericks for the entire 2015-16 season and the beginning of 2016-17. In his first season in Kansas City, Aneloski led all Mavericks defensemen with 28 points (8g-20a). Overall, he played in 76 regular-season games with Kansas City and claimed 35 points (8g-27a) with a +22 rating. Aneloski helped the Mavericks to a Brabham Cup in 2015-16 before going on to post six points (2g-4a) in 10 games in the Kelly Cup Playoffs that season.

Kansas City acquired the rights to Aneloski, who received a qualifying offer from the Florida Everblades, via trade on Wednesday. In exchange for the defenseman, the Mavericks sent the rights to Josh Robinson to Florida.

A seventh-round draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entru Draft by the Ottawa Senators, Aneloski spent the majority of his season last year with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors. In 35 games with the Condors, Aneloski contributed five points (1g-4a) with 16 penalty minutes. He will rejoin the Mavericks after playing three regular season and 12 postseason games for the Everblades.

Since turning pro in 2013-14, Aneloski has played in the AHL in each season. He has skated for the Toronto Marlies, Iowa Wild, Providence Bruins, Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Bakersfield Condors in his four full seasons of professional hockey. In 50 games with AHL teams, Aneloski has totaled eight points (2g-6a).

The Pekin, Ill. native played his final three seasons of collegiate hockey (2010-13) at the University of Nebraska-Omaha after taking a two-season break from the NCAA. He spent his freshman campaign at Providence in 2008-09.

Between his two collegiate stints, Aneloski played two seasons for the United States Hockey League's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, posting 66 points (19g-47a) in 98 games.