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UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE QUICK FACTS/CONTENTS
QUICK FACTS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Name: University of Alaska Anchorage
Location: Anchorage, AK 99508
Founded: 1977
Enrollment: 19,692
Nickname: Seawolves
Colors: Green & Gold
Affiliation: NCAA Division I
Conference: Western Collegiate Hockey Assoc.
Chancellor: Fran Ulmer
Athletics Director: Dr. Steve Cobb
Athletic Dept. Phone: 907-786-1230
Ticket Office Phone: 907-786-1293
COACHING STAFF
Head Coach: Dave Shyiak
Alma Mater: Northern Michigan (‘93)
Record at UAA (Yrs): 19-48-6 (2 years)
Career Record: same
Assistant Coaches:Campbell Blair (Maine, ‘91)
Damon Whitten (Michigan State, ‘01)
Volunteer Assistant: Brian Kraft (UAA, ‘93)
Hockey Office Phone: 907-786-6103
Hockey Office Fax: 907-786-6116
TEAM INFORMATION
2006-07 Overall Record: 13-21-3
Overall Home Record: 9-8-1
Overall Road Record: 4-13-2
2006-07 WCHA Record/Finish: 8-19-1/10th
WCHA Home Record: 6-8-0
WCHA Road Record: 2-11-1
Lettermen Returning: 15 (9 F, 5 D, 1 G)
Lettermen Lost: 10 (5 F, 3 D, 2 G)
Newcomers: 9 (4 F, 4 D, 1G)
2007-08 Team Captain: Luke Beaverson
Assistant Captains: Peter Cartwright,
Mat Robinson, Blair Tassone
Home Arena (capacity): Sullivan Arena (6,251)
Surface: 200’ x 100’
Year Opened: 1983
Press Box Phone: 907- 279-2071
TEAM HISTORY
First Year of Hockey: 1979-80
All-Time Record: 381-452-97 (.462)
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 3
(1990, 1991, 1992)
SPORTS INFORMATION
Assistant SID/Hockey Contact: Tad Dunham
Office Phone: 907-786-4625
E-Mail: [email protected]
Home Phone: 907-677-8784
SID Fax: 907-563-4565
Website: GoSeawolves.com
SUPPORT STAFF
Athletic Trainer: Kevin Lechtenberg
Office Phone: 907-786-6164
Equipment Manager: Patrick Robertson
Office Phone: 907-786-1355
Ticket Manager: Mary Beth Wooden
Office Phone: 907-786-1293
ON THE COVER: Alaska Anchorage seniors – Luke
Beaverson, Peter Cartwright, Chris Tarkir, Blair
Tassone and Merit Waldrop.
Cover photography by Michael Dinneen. Anchorage skyline image courtesy of Michael Dinneen photography.
Cover design and layout by Tad Dunham.
COACHING STAFF/ROSTER
Head Coach Dave Shyiak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Assistant Coaching Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Support Staff/Sports Medicine Staff/Game Day Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2007-08 Alaska Anchorage Roster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
GoSeawolves.com
ALASKA ANCHORAGE Hockey
2007-08 Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover
Media Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2007-08 Season Preview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
PLAYER PROFILES
Returning Letterwinners
Nils Backstrom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Luke Beaverson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Peter Cartwright. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Kevin Clark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Paul Crowder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Trevor Hunt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Shane Lovdahl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Josh Lunden. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Jon Olthuis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Mat Robinson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Ken Selby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Chris Tarkir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Blair Tassone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Jared Tuton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Merit Waldrop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Newcomers
Brian Bales/Winston DayChief/Matthew Gordon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Tommy Grant/Nick Haddad/Kane Lafranchise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Aaron Mayo/Brad McCabe/Craig Parkinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Jeremy Smith/Luka Vidmar/Sean Wiles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
s
THE OPPONENTS
Colorado College/Denver/Michigan Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Minnesota/Minnesota Duluth/Minnesota State. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
North Dakota/St. Cloud State/Wisconsin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Alaska Fairbanks/Boston University/Wayne State. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
UAA STATISTICS/RECORDS/HISTORY
2006-07 UAA Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
2006-07 UAA Statistics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
WCHA (2006-07 Standings/Leaders/Award Winners) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
All-Time Career/Season Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
All-Time Goaltending Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Seawolf Records. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Team Records/All-Time Shutouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Year-by-Year Individual Leaders/Team Totals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Year-by-Year Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72-75
All-Time Series Records. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Seawolf WCHA Honors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
All-Americans/100-point scorers/UAA Honors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
UAA Team Awards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Seawolf Letterwinners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84-85
UAA Postseason History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Seawolves in the NHL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Nye Frontier Classic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Wells Fargo Sports Complex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Sullivan Arena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
UAA Administration/Athletics Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Anchorage & Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
University of Alaska Anchorage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover
University of Alaska Anchorage Hockey 2007-08
MEDIA INFORMATION
Media Outlets
Alaska Sports Broadcasting Network
Kelly Thompson
6820 Arctic, Blvd.
Anchorage AK, 99518
Phone: (907) 349-6975 / Fax: (907) 344-8279
Anchorage Daily News
Mike Campbell — Sports Editor
Doyle Woody, Van Williams, Kevin Klott, Ron
Wilmot, Andrew Hinkelman
1001 Northway Drive, Anchorage, AK 99504
Phone: (907) 257-4335 / Fax: (907) 257-4342
KTUU-TV (NBC – Channel 2)
John Carpenter — Sports Director
701 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503-7488
Phone: (907) 762-9229 / Fax: (907) 563-3318
KIMO-TV (ABC – Channel 13)
Mark Drake — Sports Director
Phone: (907) 762-8818 / Fax: (907) 561-8934
2700 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507
KENI Radio (650 AM)
KTZN Radio “The Zone” (550 AM)
ocated in the state’s largest media market and
one of the top population centers in the Pacific
Northwest, University of Alaska Anchorage athletics
receives extensive media coverage from a variety of
sources.
On radio, UAA’s entire hockey season can be
heard over the airwaves on 550-AM KTZN “The Zone”,
with veteran play-by-play man Kurt Haider calling the
action for the 12th consecutive campaign. The Alaska
Sports Broadcasting Network enters its 12th straight
season in 2007-08, carrying all UAA men’s basketball
games.
For the third consecutive season GCI Cable, in
cooperation with the UAA journalism and communications department, will televise all Seawolf hockey
home dates and select road contests. GCI will also
stream all UAA home games live on the internet.
Anchorage’s
two
nightly
sportscasts
– KTUU Channel 2 (NBC) and KIMO Channel
13 (ABC) – devote regular attention to all
Seawolf teams. UAA basketball receives national
exposure on ESPN during the annual Carrs/
Safeway Great Alaska Shootout, with the 24-hour cable
network.
MEDIA GUIDELINES: For credentials or interview
requests, please contact the UAA Sports Information
Office at least one day in advance. Sports Information
produces weekly press releases and game notes
­complete with statistics for each sport during the
season. Please contact the SID or surf to www.
GoSeawolves.com to obtain ­infor­mation.
Kurt Haider
800 E. Dimond Blvd., Suite 3-320
Anchorage, AK 99515
Phone: (907) 522-1515 / Fax: (907) 349-6801
The Northern Light
Suzanna Caldwell – Sports Editor
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (907) 786-1567 / Fax: (907) 786-1331
K
Nate Sagan, SID
UAA Sports Information Office
3211 Providence Dr.
Anchorage, AK 99508-8366
Phone: 907-786-1295 (Sagan)
Phone: 907-786-4625 (Dunham)
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: 907-563-4565
KURT HAIDER
urt Haider is in his 12th season as the “Voice of
the Seawolves” in 2007-08. The Minnesota native
be­gan his sports broadcasting
career in 1986 at KSRM radio in
Kenai, Alaska, calling high school
football, basketball and hockey as
well as Peninsula Oilers baseball.
After a short stint in Minneapolis,
Haider returned to Anchorage in
1996, calling both UAA basketball
and hockey on KBYR. In 2001 he
moved to Clear Channel’s KENI
and KTZN “The Zone”.
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (907) 786-6803 / Fax: (907) 786-6809
Associated Press
The 2007-08 UAA hockey media guide was written, edited and compiled by assistant sports information director Tad Dunham. Editorial
assistance was provided by Nate Sagan. Photography by Michael
Dinneen. Typo­gra­phy, layout and design by Tad Dunham with assistance from Darla Carlson of UAA Printing Services. Cover design by
Tad Dunham. Cover photography by Michael Dinneen. Printing by
A.T. Publishing & Printing, Inc. It is the policy of UAA to provide
services and benefits to all students and employees without regard to
race, color, religion, national ­origin, sex, age, disability or status as
a Vietnam-era veteran. This ­official publication was released by the
University of Alaska Anchorage, produced at a cost of $4.29 per copy
to ­promote Seawolf hockey.
Tad Dunham, Asst. SID
The Voice of the Seawolves
KRUA Radio (88.1 FM)
Anchorage Office
750 West 2nd Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 272-7549 / Fax: (907) 274-2189
GoSeawolves.com
Primary
L
UAA HOckey on GCI CABLE
F
or the third consecutive year all UAA home games,
as well as select road contests, will be aired on
GCI Cable Channel 1 in Anchorage. Home games will
be aired tape delay, showing at 10:30 p.m., while
road dates will air live. GCI will also show replays of
every televised game the following day at 1 p.m. All
home games will also be streamed live on the internet
(fee required) at GCI.net. UAA students representing
the school’s journalism and public communications
department will manage the cameras and produce the
live broadcasts from Sullivan Arena.
UAA Hockey will be televised statewide to
the following areas in 2007-08: Anchorage, Mat-Su
Valley, Kenai, Kodiak, Seward, Valdez, Cordova,
Homer, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Wrangell,
Petersburg, Kotzebue, Bethel, Nome, Barrow.
University of Alaska Anchorage Hockey 2007-08
Visit GoSeawolves.com for information, stats,
biographies and historical records for all 11
intercollegiate sports teams at the University
of Alaska Anchorage.
I
The SEAWOLF
n the Seawolf, the University of Alaska
Anchorage has one of the more unique
mascots in the country.
Originally nicknamed the Sourdoughs,
UAA adopted the Seawolf moniker in 1977.
The name Seawolf represents a mystical sea
creature and, ac­cording to the legend of the
Seawolf, anyone fortunate enough to view it
was subject to good luck.
The exact nature or shape of the
Seawolf, however, was left to the imagination and thus the creature has been depicted
in many forms throughout the years.
The Seawolf of today was introduced
in 1985. Created by the Clark Mishler &
Associates Company of Anchorage in cooperation with a University committee, it represents an adaptation of a more traditional
Alaska totemic-like characterization of the
mythical Seawolf.
2007-08 SEASON PREVIEW
he University of Alaska Anchorage
Seawolf hockey team took some small
steps towards its ultimate goal of contending
for a conference championship last season,
and all indications are that third-year head
coach Dave Shyiak has team poised for an
even bigger leap towards that goal in 200708.
“I think we have the most depth we’ve
had in some years and it puts a more competitive environment in our practice sessions,”
Shyiak said. “On paper, our speed, size and
talent is solid and it will only be a matter of
time where everybody fits into their rolls.”
The Seawolves return 15 letterwinners
from last year’s team that finished 13-21-3
overall and 8-19-1 in the Western Collegiate
Hockey Association, including home sweeps
over North Dakota and Alaska Fairbanks.
The overall win total marked a seven-game
improvement from the previous season. UAA
also claimed it own Nye Frontier Classic
Tournament as well as the annual Alaska
Governor’s Cup series against instate rival
UAF. The Seawolves also posted their first
winning season on home ice (9-8-1) in six
seasons.
“Our team and program made some
progress last year and we’re looking to build
further upon that foundation heading into
this season,” Shyiak said. “We learned how
to win in some tough arenas on the road and
regained a winning record at home. With that
being said though, we still have a lot of work
to do in order to reach the success we want
to achieve in the WCHA.”
With 18 underclassmen on the roster,
including 10 freshmen, UAA will field one of
the youngest teams in the WCHA this season.
The youth movement will put pressure on an
experienced crew of five seniors.
“The biggest void from the loss of last
year’s graduating seniors will be their leadership both on and off the ice. We have a group
of guys in our locker room who we feel can
fill that void. Leadership, teamwork, work
ethic and consistency will be the foundation
of our success this year, and we will need
everybody to contribute on a daily basis,”
said Shyiak.
In 28 previous seasons of play, UAA
has posted 12 winnings seasons, but hasn’t
tasted the ascending side of the .500 mark
since joining the powerhouse Western
Collegiate Hockey Association in 1993-94.
Shyiak believes, however, that the current
players in the program are focused to change
that recent trend and are determined to help
catapult the team into the upper echelon of
the WCHA.
“Our players are starting to understand
what kind of commitment and dedication is
needed to win in this league on a consistent
basis,” Shyiak said.
As always UAA faces one of the most
challenging schedules in college hockey, as
it plays 23 of its 34 games against teams
ranked in the final USCHO top-20 poll of
2006-07, including four games each against
2007 WCHA regular-season and tournament
champion Minnesota, 2004 and 2005 NCAA
champion Denver, Colorado College and St.
Cloud State.
The 2007-08 campaign gets under way
Oct. 12-13 at home with the 17th edition of
the Nye Frontier Classic.
FORWARDS
Senior Merit Waldrop enters the 2007-08 season
as UAA’s active career leader in points with 41.
With six of its top-10 leading point producers back up front, including two of their top
three scorers, the Seawolves are poised to
build upon their increased goal and shot output from last season. UAA scored 22 more
goals and increased its shots on goal by 193
attempts, while also producing five 20-point
scorers for the first time in five years.
“With our current talent level of forwards on this year’s roster, I anticipate us
increasing our entire offensive output once
again,” Shyiak said. “Rather than leaning on
the services of just two or three guys to do
the majority of our scoring, I would like to see
us balance out our attack by getting quality
offensive production from six to eight of our
guys up front.”
Headlining the list of returnees are sophomores Paul Crowder and Josh Lunden, who
ranked ninth and 10th in freshman scoring in
WCHA games last season. Tied for the team
lead in goals at 11, the duo also finished second and third overall on UAA in points with
University of Alaska Anchorage Hockey 2007-08
GoSeawolves.com
T
Sophomore Paul Crowder is the Seawolves top
returning scorer in 2007-08, posting 24 points
as a rookie.
24 and 20, respectively.
The 6-3, 210-pound Crowder and 6-2,
200-pound Lunden will also play significant roles as the Seawolves’ top power-play
attackers. Lunden led all UAA skaters with
seven power-play goals last season while
Crowder tied for second with four.
UAA’s career leader in points with 41,
senior Merit Waldrop tallied career-best
totals in both assists (14) and points (19)
last season while finishing sixth overall in
scoring. One of the team’s top playmakers,
more production will be asked from Waldrop
as the Seawolves look to counter the loss of
last year’s leading scorer Justin Bourne (31
points) to graduation.
The team’s fourth-leading returning scorer, sophomore Kevin Clark recorded 8-9–17
totals his rookie season while establishing
himself as one of the grittiest players in the
WCHA. The 5-9, 167-pounder, who is one of
UAA’s most physical players despite his size,
led the league and team in penalty minutes
last year with 102.
A trio of seniors – Peter Cartwright,
Chris Tarkir and Blair Tassone – give UAA’s
forward unit a solid core of veteran experience and leadership. Cartwright is coming
off his most productive season as a Seawolf,
posting 5-7–12 scoring figures, while Tarkir
and Tassone contributed five points each as
juniors.
The 6-1, 208-pound Cartwright can clog
a lot of space in front of opponents’ nets,
while Tarkir, who notched double-digits in
2007-08 SEASON PREVIEW
DEFENSEMEN
Five letterwinners return on a defensive unit
that lowered its opponents’ shots on goal average from 37.3 shots per game in 2005-06 to
29.8 a year ago and upped its offensive output
by 11 points.
“I fully expect our defensive group to further develop as a unit based on the experience
and improvement they attained last season,”
Shyiak said. “With the additions we have
made, I feel we have a solid roster of defensemen who all possess good size, speed and
scoring ability.”
The list of UAA’s returnees is led by the
tandem of senior Luke Beaverson and junior
Mat Robinson. The ‘Wolves’ most physical
blueliner, the 6-5, 220-pound Beaverson is
the team’s most experienced skater, having
played in a team-best 108 career games. The
Minnesota product recorded a career-best 9
points and 5 goals as a junior.
Robinson, who hasn’t missed a game in
his two years with the Seawolves, was paired
with Beaverson on UAA’s top defensive pairing
for nearly the entire season as a sophomore.
The 5-10, 174-pounder netted a career-best 9
points last season.
The Seawolves’ top returning point produc-
GoSeawolves.com
points his first two seasons, has the offensive
tools to rebound from a down year numberwise. Tassone is arguably the team’s hardest
working skater and one of its best checking
forwards.
Sophomores Jared Tuton and Ken Selby,
who gained valuable experience their rookie
seasons, both have the skills to produce on a
regular basis on the offense end. A high-energy
player, Tuton played 36 of 37 games on UAA’s
fourth line, recording two assists after walking
on to the program. A quick-footed skater, Selby
tallied one assist in 12 games of action.
Joining UAA’s forward crew is a gifted
class of seven newcomers, including three
who ranked among the top 5 in points on
their respective teams in juniors last season.
Freshmen Tommy Grant (36-39–75), Craig
Parkinson (42-37–79) and Winston DayChief
(31-43–74) were prolific scorers at the junior
level and have the tools to do the same in their
first season against NCAA Division I competition.
Although he didn’t record high scoring
totals due to injury last season, freshman Brad
McCabe could be the standout recruit of this
year’s class. The 6-0, 200-pounder is a skilled
forward who tallied 36 points in 42 games
in the NAHL during the 2006-07 season. He
ended the year ranked No. 199 in the final NHL
Central Scouting ratings.
Others vying for playing time up front are
freshmen Nick Haddad and Sean Wiles and
junior transfer Brian Bales. Haddad and Wiles
were solid contributors on their junior team a
year ago, while Bales brings collegiate experience after a two-year stint at Bowling Green.
Senior defenseman Luke Beaverson has played a
team-best 108 career games.
Sophomore Jon Olthuis takes over as the
Seawolves’ top goaltender in 2007-08
er on defense is sophomore Nils Backstrom,
who tallied 1-9–10 totals in a solid rookie
season. As was the case last year, Backstrom
will see extensive playing time on the Seawolf
power-play and penalty kill units.
The team’s two other experienced defensemen are junior Shane Lovdahl and sophomore Trevor Hunt, who will likely vie for
spots at the third defensive pairing. Lovdahl,
who was limited to 19 games last season, is
arguably one of UAA’s most skilled offensive
blueliners. Hunt gained valuable experience in
15 games as a freshman, while also chipping
in three assists.
Looking to challenge for icetime are newcomers Kane Lafranchise, Jeremy Smith and
Luka Vidmar. Standing 6-1 and weighing in at
over 190 pounds, both Lafranchise and Vidmar
could make immediate impacts in their first
season with the Seawolves, as both possess
solid skills on both sides of the puck. Vidmar
was his team’s top-scoring defenseman last
season with 28 points, while LaFranchise was
second with 35.
Smith, a local product who prepped at
East High School, notched 35 points in his last
stint in juniors during the 2004-05 season.
“Goaltending will be a key to any success
we have this year, as it is with any other team
in the league. We are confident as a staff we
have capable goalies that have the skills to get
the job done in our league,” Shyiak said.
Shouldering the load for UAA in net this
season will be sophomore Jon Olthuis, who
takes over the full-time reigns after the early
departure of Nathan Lawson, UAA’s all-time
leader in career save percentage (.906). Olthuis
showed promise as a rookie, posting a 3.59
goals-against average, .887 save percentage
and a 3-6-1 record in 14 appearances.
“Jon will get the opportunity to be the
number one guy for us this year,” Shyiak said.
“He played in some tough venues last year and
came out of it with a passing grade.”
The 6-4, 200-pound Olthuis gained valuable experience as a freshman, starting seven
WCHA contests, including posting wins over
Colorado College and Minnesota State. His
season- and career-high 44-save outing in
UAA’s 5-4 overtime triumph at CC helped the
Seawolves earn their first win at Colorado
Springs in 17 tries.
Backing up Olthuis is freshman Matthew
Gordon, who recorded a 3.08 GAA, .905
save percentage and 28-20-0 mark last year
with Burnaby of the BCHL. An athletic and
durable goalie, the 6-2, 191-pound Gordon led
the league in minutes played a season ago at
2,946.
The team’s third goalie will be local
walk on Aaron Mayo, who prepped at South
Anchorage High School.
GOALTENDING
One key to UAA’s seven-game improvement
last season was its improved play at the goaltender position, as last season’s outfit posted
its lowest team goals-against average (3.30) in
seven seasons, while also limiting opponents
to 14 fewer goals.
University of Alaska Anchorage Hockey 2007-08
HEAD COACH DAVE SHYIAK
GoSeawolves.com
DAVE SHYIAK
Head Coach (3rd Season)
Northern Michigan ‘93
Dave Shyiak is entering his third season as head coach of the
University of Alaska Anchorage hockey program in 2007-08.
Shyiak led the Seawolves to a seven-game improvement
last season - his second behind the bench at UAA - while
overseeing the first winning season on home ice (9-8-1) in
five years. UAA also claimed the Nye Frontier Classic title and
Alaska Airlines’s Governor’s Cup title in 2006-07, marking the
first time the Seawolves have accomplished both in the same
season. Shyiak’s second season was also highlighted by home sweeps over rival Alaska
Fairbanks and league foe North Dakota.
UAA came withing one game of advancing to the WCHA Final Five last season,
eventually falling to No. 2-ranked Minnesota in three games during the first round of the
league’s playoffs.
Introduced as the fourth head coach in program history on June 14, 2005, Shyiak
earned his first-ever head coaching victory with a 6-3 triumph at home over Rensselaer
on Oct. 14, 2005. His first WCHA win also occurred on home ice with a 2-0 blanking of
Minnesota Duluth on Nov. 19, 2005.
Under Shyiak’s guidance the Seawolves have had 17 student-athletes earn recognition
on the WCHA Academic All-Conference Team.
Prior to coming to UAA, Shyiak was an assistant at his alma mater, Northern Michigan
University, for 10 seasons, including three as associate head coach.
At NMU, Shyiak helped the Wildcats to seven 20-win seasons, six Central Collegiate
Hockey Association tournament berths and one NCAA tournament appearance. NMU was
a member of the WCHA during his first three seasons as an assistant.
Shyiak served as the head coach of the North American Select Team in 2000 and
2001, guiding the squad to silver-medal finishes both seasons at the World ‘Junior A’
Hockey Tournament in Tampere, Finland.
Prior to his stint at his alma mater, Shyiak was general manager and head coach of
the Merritt Centennials of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (1994-95) and head
coach of the Kimberley Dynamiters of the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (199394). Shyiak led Kimberley to both the regular season title and the playoff title while also
garnering Coach of the Year honors.
He began his coaching career as a student assistant at NMU under Rick Comley in
1992-93, helping guide the Wildcats to a NCAA berth.
A co-captain on NMU’s 1991 NCAA Championship team, Shyiak also claimed two
WCHA Tournament titles (1989 and 1991) and one WCHA regular-season title (1991) as a
player and earned WCHA All-Academic Team accolades. He earned a Bachelors of Science
in Physical Education from Northern Michigan in 1993 and a Masters degree in Training
and Development in Human Performance from NMU in 2007.
Shyiak and his wife Lucia are the parents of two sons - Kristian (4) and Sheldon (3).
Academics
Coach Shyiak on Seawolf Hockey
“Our staff is committed to the academic success of our student-athletes. It is our job to make sure they have
the support and opportunity to ­succeed in the classroom. We want to maintain our tradition of finishing
near the top of our league in the number of student-athletes we place on the all-academic team.”
On Ice
“I like an aggressive, hard forechecking team that pursues the puck. I strongly believe in defensive responsibilities – we’ve got to take care of our own end first – if we can do that it will help us offensively as well.
The way the game is evolving right now, you have to begin on special teams if you want to have success.”
The WCHA
“The WCHA stands alone at the top of college hockey. Year in and year out league members are in the
Frozen Four if not winning it. From top to bottom any given year, anybody can win the league title, and
that’s the strength of the WCHA as a whole. It’s an outstanding league, with great venues, great cities, great
college atmospheres and outstanding television exposure.”
University of Alaska Anchorage Hockey 2007-08
THE SHYIAK FILE
Born: November 4, 1966
Hometown: Brandon, Manitoba
Education: B.S., Physical Education,
Northern Michigan, 1993
M.S., Training and Development in Human Performance, NMU, 2007
Player: 1988-91, Northern Michigan
Won 1991 NCAA Championship
Won 1991 WCHA Title
Won 1989 &1991 WCHA Tournament
Coaching: (1995-96 – present)
Has coached...
2 All-Americans
6 All-Conference Selections
16 NHL Draft Picks
CAREER COACHING RECORDS
HEAD COACH
Year
School
2006-07
2005-06
Alaska Anchorage
Alaska Anchorage
Record
13-21-3
6-27-3
ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH
Year
School
2004-05
2003-04
2002-03
Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan
ASSISTANT COACH
2001-02
2000-01
1999-00
1998-99
1997-98
1996-97
1995-96
Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan
STUDENT ASSISTANT COACH
1992-93
Northern Michigan
Record
22-11-7
21-16-4
22-17-2
26-12-2
18-13-4
22-13-4
22-15-4
19-15-4
13-24-3
7-30-2
21-8-4
assistant coaching staff
Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
(Michigan State ‘01)
(Maine ‘91)
A
ssociate head coach Campbell Blair is
entering his second season on the
Seawolf coaching staff in 2007-08.
Blair came to UAA after serving the
past five years as an assistant coach at
his alma mater, the University of Maine.
While at Maine he worked with the Black Bear defense,
which has been among the top-ranked units nationally over
the past few seasons, including allowing a NCAA low 1.56
goals-per game in 2003-04. Maine possessed the top penalty
kill unit in the nation in 2005-06, owning a .889 kill percentage.
A two-year letterwinner as a defenseman with the Black
Bears, Blair began his coaching carer as an undergraduate
assistant with Maine in 1990-91. In nine total years with
the Black Bears, Blair coached in nine NCAA Tournaments,
including six Frozen Fours. Blair was a member of Maine’s
coaching staff when they were named the AHCA Spencer
Penrose Staff of the Year in 2002. In his most recent tenure
at Maine, he helped the Black Bears compile an overall record of 129-51-23.
A former head coach and general manager for the Victoria Salsa of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League,
Blair is the winningest coach in the club’s history, compiling a 105-73-16 career record. Under his guidance, Victoria
claimed one Island Division title, one Coastal Conference
title and one BCHL title. He was also named the 1999-00
Coastal Conference Coach of the Year.
Prior to Blair’s college career, he played junior hockey
for Salmon Arm, Summerland and Vernon of the BCHL, setting several league and career scoring records.
A Prince George, B.C., native, Blair graduated with distinction with a bachelor
of science degree in
education from Maine
in 1991. He is currently
pursuing a masters degree in coaching studies
from the University of
Victoria.
Blair’s wife Kate is a
former Division I women’s hockey coach. They
reside in Anchorage with
their dog, Canoe.
THE BLAIR FILE
Born: June 30, 1966
Hometown: Prince George, British Columbia
Education: B.S., Education, Maine, 1991;
Pursuing M.S. in Coaching Studies, U. of Victoria
Collegiate Playing Experience: Maine (1988-90, defenseman)
Coaching Experience:
Maine (Hockey East) – Assistant Coach (2001-06, 1990-91)
Victoria (BCHL) – Head Coach (1998-01)
Victoria (BCHL) – Assistant Coach (1995-98)
A
ssistant coach and recruiting coordinator Damon Whitten begins his
second season with the Alaska Anchorage hockey program in 2007-08.
A native of Brighton, Mich., Whitten came to UAA after a two-year assistant stint at Wayne State University, and one year at his
alma mater, Michigan State. At both schools he assisted with
all facets of practices and games, with a specific focus on
coaching the teams’ forwards.
Whitten began his coaching career after two seasons
playing in the East Coast Hockey League. He played the
2002-03 campaign with the Arkansas RiverBlades, scoring
39 points on 12 goals and 27 assists in 69 games. The previous season, he helped the Greenville Grrrowl to the league
championship by recording 32 points in 64 regular-season
games (9g, 21a), and five points in 15 playoff games.
A left wing for MSU from 1997-2001, Whitten appeared
in 166 games, ending his collegiate career with 35-40–75
totals. Whitten’s class left MSU as the winningest senior
class in program history with a 4-year record of 122-28-20,
including trips to the Frozen Four in 1999 and 2001 and a
NCAA quarterfinal appearance in 1998. His Spartan teams
also won three CCHA regular-season titles (1998, 1999,
2001) and three CCHA playoff championships (1998, 2000,
2001).
As a senior, he received the Blue Line President’s Award
as the top scholar-athlete in the senior class, and the Amo
Bessone Award for athletic, scholastic and community participation. He was a two-time nominee for the Hockey Humanitarian Award and was a three-time Academic All-Big
Ten At-Large honoree.
Prior to MSU, Whitten spent the 1996-97 season with
the St. Michaels Buzzers
of the Provincial Junior
`A’ Hockey League.
Whitten earned his
bachelor’s degree in
communications from
MSU in 2001, and his
master’s of science in
kinesiology in 2005.
Whitten resides in Anchorage with his wife
Angie.
GoSeawolves.com
Damon Whitten
Campbell
Blair
Associate Head Coach
THE WHITTEN FILE
Born: April 5, 1977
Hometown: Brighton, Mich.
Education: B.S., Communications, Michigan State, 2001;
M.S., Kinesiology, Michigan State, 2005
Collegiate Playing Experience: Michigan State (1997-00,
forward)
Coaching Experience:
Wayne State (CHA) – Assistant Coach (2004-06)
Michigan State (CCHA) – Graduate Assistant (2003-04)
University of Alaska Anchorage Hockey 2007-08
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Hockey Support Staff
Volunteer Assistant Coach
Head Team Physician
Dr. Jeff Moore, MD
Team Physician Emeritus
William G. Mills, Jr., MD
Team Physicians
Richard McEvoy, MD
Paul Steer, MD
Sports Medicine Consultants
Joella Beard, MD
Keith Brownsberger, MD
Ross Brudenell, MD
Leo Bustad, MD
Leslie Dean, MD
Jay Derksen, DM
Mary Ann Foland, MD
Robert Gieringer, MD
Larry Levine, MD
C.J. Little, MD
Nell Loftin, MD
Brett Mason, DO
William J. Mills, MD
David McGuire, MD
Jan Nyboer, MD
Greg Stone, DM
George Stransky, MD
Kenneth Swayman, DPM
Tom Vasileff, MD
Judith Whitcomb, MD
Game Day Staff
Minor Officials
George Benson
Kent Bohal
Gil Campoamor
Dan Gasperlin
Ed Gliva
Kevin McNaughton
Ken Overvold
Jim Powell
Dan Rogness
Bob Tannahill
Brule Urban
Scorekeepers
Kathie Bethard
Rosalie Nadeau
Music
Vince Gonzales
Public Address Announcer
Lyle Woods
Statistics Crew
Patrick Cwiak
Jason and Sasha Prewitt
Therran Walstad
In his second full season as a volunteer assistant coach for the Alaska Anchorage hockey
team is former Seawolf letterwinner Brian Kraft. He will primarily assist with the Seawolf
forwards.
Kraft played three seasons at forward for UAA (1989-92) after transferring from
Northern Michigan, where he was a teammate of Dave Shyiak in 1987-88. The Melrose
Park, Ill., native scored 44-71–115 totals with the Seawolves, including a 50-point season in 1989-90. Kraft was a member of all three of UAA’s NCAA Tournament teams.
Kraft graduated from UAA in 1993 with a bachelor’s of science degree in business marketing. He played
professionally for four seasons with the Anchorage Aces. Kraft owns the Alaska Sportsman’s Lodge on the
Kenai Peninsula.
GoSeawolves.com
BRIAN KRAFT
Sports Medicine Staff
Kevin Lechtenberg
Athletic Trainer
Kevin Lechten­berg is in his ninth year as the assistant athletic trainer at UAA. He serves
as the primary trainer for the Seawolf hockey team.
Lechtenberg came to UAA from the Excel Physical & Occupational Ther­­­apy Clinic in
Colorado Springs, Colo., where he worked since 1996. While at Excel, he served as the
athletic trainer at Sierra High School.
He served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at the University of Denver from
1994-96, working with the men’s basketball, lacrosse and ice hockey teams and the
women’s volleyball program. He earned a master’s degree in management from DU in 1996.
A 1994 graduate of the University of Iowa, with a degree in exercise science, he was a student trainer in
the Hawkeye Sports Medicine program, working with all 22 sports, including the Hawkeye football team and
NCAA champion wrestling squad.
He is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and the Na­tion­al Strength and
Conditioning Assoc­ia­tion. Lechtenberg and his wife Yasmin live in Eagle River. She is a physical therapist at
Anchor­age Fracture and Orthopedic Clinic.
patrick robertson
Head Equipment Manager
Entering his third year as the head equipment manager for the UAA hockey team is
Patrick Robert­son.
Born and raised in Anch­or­age, Robertson played one season of collegiate soccer
at South­western Oregon Community College in Coos Bay, Ore. A 2000 graduate of
Anchorage’s West High School, Ro­bert­son earned four letters in swimming and three in
soccer. He also participated on the Eagles’ hockey team for three seasons.
The 25-year-old Robertson was the manager for Play-It-Again Sports in Anchorage
prior to being hired at UAA. Other than hockey, he also enjoys golf and snowboarding.
CHRIS NEWANS
Strength & Conditioning Coach
I
n his first season as the strength & conditioning coach for the Seawolf hockey team is
Chris Newans. The operations manager at Acceleration Alaska, Newans is a F.A.S.T. certified trainer
and is Exercise Science Alliance certified.
Raised in Anchorage, Newans played 14 professional seasons of hockey. He attended training camp with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1999.
David koch
Video Coordinator
Beginning his third season as the video coordinator for the UAA hockey program is
David Koch.
A 2000 graduate of Anchor­age’s Bartlett High School, Koch played a year of college
hockey at Division III Marian College (Wisc.) after a two-year stint in juniors with the
Fernie Ghostriders of the AWHL.
The Anchorage native is currently attending UAA and majoring in biology.
University of Alaska Anchorage Hockey 2007-08
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