Cheesman, a 27-year-old who will be entering his fourth full season, enjoyed a breakout season in 2007-08, establishing career-highs in goals (30), assists (27), points (57) and penalty minutes (79). Born in England but raised in Peoria, Illinois, he was the only member of the Aces to suit up in all 72 regular season games a year ago. The 6-2, 195-pound Cheesman led Alaska and tied for third in the ECHL with seven game-winning goals, and on March 5, in a 5-1 win over Idaho, he recorded the second hat trick of his pro career. He also scored twice and added an assist in victories over Bakersfield December 8 and Utah three weeks later.

Cheesman contributed two assists in six playoff games the Aces advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year in 2008. He turned pro in the spring of 2005 after spending four years at Lake Superior State (CCHA), where he scored 36 goals and assisted on 23 others. As a rookie in 2006, Cheesman scored 20 goals in the regular season and four more in the playoffs, helping Wheeling advance to the North Division Finals.