The Anchorage Aces as you know them today are a successful team entering their fourth season in the West Coast Hockey League. But who were the Aces before that? The original Aces team was originated in 1936, and they played whenever they could, with anybody they could, and wherever they could. They often played games against UAF and small cities around Alaska. Often playing in freezing weather outdoors, they made their own ice and hot mopped between periods. The team was lacking support and many people tried to revive the team. At one point they were even called the Wolverines. Their was plenty of hockey talent in Anchorage for the Aces, but they were lacking the leadership and money to keep the team permanent, and the Alaska Gold Kings, located in Fairbanks, were the only permanent team in Alaska.

Finally in 1990, the Anchorage Aces got the break they needed. The Russian Red Army hockey team got snowed in during a short stint in Anchorage. The Aces got together quickly and played a pick up game with the Russian Team. Surprisingly, the disorganized Aces team was able to skate to a 3-3 regulation tie with the organized Russians, only to lose the game in overtime. Despite the loss, the performance caught the eye of some local buisnessman in money and invested in the team. The Aces finally had the support they desparately needed.

In March of 1991, after less then 4 months of skating together as an organized team, The Aces won the amateur National Championship. In 1992, they placed second in the Championship, but received the Best Sportsmanship Award. In 1993 in a national tournament in Chicago, the Aces shut out the Gold Kings to win it. In 1994 the Aces once again won the Amateur National Championship. In 1995, the Aces arch rival the Gold Kings defeated the Aces in the final to keep Anchorage from winning their third championship.

The next season, the WCHL was born. The Aces were among the 6 founding teams including 2 other formally amateur teams the Alaska Gold Kings and the Fresno Falcons. They also added the San Diego Gulls, who were formelly an IHL team. To round out the 6 teams, the WCHL recruited two new teams, the Bakersfield Fog and the Reno Renegades.

The Aces first pro season showed many areas in which the Aces needed to improve if they were going to be competitive at the pro level. They finished tied for last with the Bakersfield Fog and missed the playoffs.

The next year the Aces signed a bunch of new talent with experience, hired a new coach and got off to a new start. Walt Poddubny led the Aces to the second best regular season record and a playoff berth, and the Aces finished second in the finals to the San Diego Gulls. The success of the Aces that season led to increased attendance and the Aces became the #1 specator sport in Alaska.

As the Aces were flourishing as a pro team, the Gold Kings were struggling. Eventually they were forced to relocate to Colorado, where they play now under the same name. The third season also saw the addition of four new teams: The Idaho Steelheads, the Tacoma Sabercats, the Phoenix Mustangs, and the Tucson Gila Monsters. The league also divided into divisions for the first time. The Aces fought all season for the top spot in the North with the Tacoma Sabercats, eventually finishing second to them. They got by Idaho in the first round of the playoffs but were swept by the Sabercats in the semifinals.

This year, the fourth season of the WCHL, the Aces have made a couple more changes and hopefully have the right formula to bring the Taylor Cup to Anchorage!