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Alaska Anchorage Seawolves
Hockey current event Current season
Alaska Anchorage Seawolves athletic logo
University University of Alaska Anchorage
Conference Independent
First season 1979–80
Head coach Matt Shasby
2nd season, 8–19–1 (.304)
Assistant coaches
  • Trevor Stewart
  • Aaron McPheters
Arena Avis Alaska Sports Complex
Capacity: 900[1]
Location Anchorage, Alaska
Colors Green and Gold[2]
         
NCAA Tournament appearances
1990, 1991, 1992
Conference regular season championships
1987
Current uniform
WCHA-Uniform-UAA

The Alaska Anchorage Seawolves men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents the University of Alaska Anchorage. The Seawolves were an original member of the now defunct men's division in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). They played at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, Alaska, and moved to the Seawolf Sports Complex on campus at the start of the 2019–20 season.[3]

History[]

UAA began its ice hockey program in 1979, playing 8 of its 31 games against Division II Alaska–Fairbanks (winning all) before beginning a full D-II schedule the following season. The Seawolves rose quickly in the Division II ranks, narrowly missing out on the NCAA tournament in 1984 but promoted the team to Division I that summer when the entire D-II division collapsed.[4]

Anchorage played as an independent for a year before being a founding member of the first west coast conference, the Great West Hockey Conference. The league was very short-lived, lasting only three seasons before the two non-Alaska schools dropped hockey entirely, but it did provide UAA with its first league title in 1987.[5] The Seawolves were once again without a conference in 1988–89, but a year later they posted their first 20-win season at the D-I level and were selected to the NCAA Tournament.

The Seawolves dropped both games to Lake Superior State but returned the following year after another 20-win campaign and this time they were able to win their first NCAA round, defeating the Boston College Eagles. 1991–92 provided UAA with its best record, with the team going 27–8–1 and garnering a third consecutive NCAA berth (the last such for UAA as of 2019). After one more winning season the Seawolves joined the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

The stability of their new conference came as a double-edged sword, however, as the Seawolves would spend the next 20 years finishing with losing records. To make matters worse the team would lose both games in the opening round of the WCHA tournament most of the time and only twice could manage a First Round series win.

The college hockey world changed in 2013 when the Central Collegiate Hockey Association collapsed due to the formation of the Big Ten and the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.[6] This caused the WCHA to replace many of its departing members with weaker teams but even in the new WCHA UAA was still a bottom-half team. After making the conference semifinals the first season the Seawolves missed the playoffs each of the next five years.

In 2020, the university announced plans to cut the hockey program, along with skiing and gymnastics, due to sharp reductions in state funding. The University of Alaska Board of Regents offered the hockey team a chance at reinstatement in September if they could raise 2 seasons worth of expenses, approximately $3 million by February 2021, so the hockey program as a whole went on hiatus and did not compete for both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons as its future was being determined. The fundraising was divided into 2 parts: $1.5 million in cash and the remainder in firm pledges. As of December 2020, the team began fundraising for the needed money.[7] On August 31, 2021, the university announced that enough donations had been received to save the program. The team returned to the ice for the 2022–23 season.[8]

Season-by-season results[]

[9]

Head coaches[]

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
1979–1996 Brush Christiansen 17 287–229–30 .553
1996–2001 Dean Talafous 5 50–108–22 .339
2001–2005 John Hill 4 39–89–21 .332
2005–2013 Dave Shyiak 8 80–177–33 .333
2013–2018 Matt Thomas 5 48–105–21 .336
2018–2021 Matt Curley 2 7–53–10 .171
2022–present Matt Shasby 1 8–19–1 .304
Totals 7 coaches 42 seasons 519–780–138 .409

As of completion of 2022–23 season. Records includes regular season and playoffs games.[10]

Statistical leaders[]

[9]

Career points leaders[]

Player Years GP G A Pts PIM
Larson, DeanDean Larson 1989–1992 63 137 200
Sorenson, DennisDennis Sorenson 1981–1984 70 127 197
Hayse, JoeyJoey Hayse 1984–1987 76 93 169
Donald, DerekDerek Donald 1989–1992 74 91 165
McEnaney, PeterPeter McEnaney 1985–1988 54 107 161
Spooner, DougDoug Spooner 1988–1991 75 73 148
Bogoyevac, SteveSteve Bogoyevac 1989–1992 50 96 146
Conn, RobRob Conn 1989–1991 76 70 146
Morris, KeithKeith Morris 1990–1994 73 61 134
Stitt, MarkMark Stitt 1992–1995 45 88 133

Career goaltending leaders[]

GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Minimum 30 games

Player Years GP Min W L T GA SO SV% GAA
Naumenko, GreggGregg Naumenko 1998–1999 30 1692 11 13 5 65 1 .920 2.31
Mantha, OlivierOlivier Mantha 2014–2018 122 6973 28 77 14 350 3 .908 3.01
Kamal, ChrisChris Kamal 2010–2014 71 3850 21 39 2 198 5 .888 3.09
Gunderson, RobRob Gunderson 2010–2014 82 4499 24 41 10 236 1 .886 3.15
Gravistin, ShaunShaun Gravistin 1990–1993 48 2688 29 11 6 142 2 .883 3.17

Statistics current through the start of the 2018-19 season.

Roster[]

As of September 20, 2023.[11]

# S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
2 Flag of Alaska Osborne, MaxMax Osborne Senior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1999-02-01 Anchorage, Alaska Saint John's (MIAC)
4 Flag of Georgia (U.S Goulker, DavisDavis Goulker Sophomore D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-04-22 Atlanta, Georgia Shreveport (NAHL)
6 Flag of Alaska Lajoie, BrandonBrandon Lajoie Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-10-18 Eagle River, Alaska St. Cloud (NAHL)
7 Flag of Minnesota Kosobud, CarsonCarson Kosobud Junior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 186 lb (84 kg) 1999-06-04 Moorhead, Minnesota Arizona State (NCAA)
8 Flag of Connecticut Gilson, WilliamWilliam Gilson Sophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2001-06-28 Old Greenwich, Connecticut Aberdeen (NAHL)
9 Flag of Newfoundland and Labrador Cole, ConorConor Cole Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 2001-10-28 St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador Maryland (NAHL)
10 Flag of Ontario Thompson, RileyRiley Thompson Sophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2002-08-17 Orleans, Ontario Smiths Falls (CCHL)
11 Flag of Minnesota Almquist, BenBen Almquist Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1999-10-01 Victoria, Minnesota Minnesota Duluth (NCHC)
12 Flag of Ontario Lafay, MitchMitch Lafay Freshman F 6' 6" (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 2002-08-06 Stratford, Ontario Trenton (OJHL)
13 Flag of Alberta Kinash, MattMatt Kinash Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-12-15 Edmonton, Alberta UMass Lowell (HEA)
14 Flag of British Columbia Marritt, ConnorConnor Marritt Senior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 1999-03-14 Kelowna, British Columbia Northern Michigan (CCHA)
17 Flag of New York VanDamme, GunnarGunnar VanDamme Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 2002-12-08 Pittsford, New York Maryland (NAHL)
19 Flag of Arizona Miller, RowanRowan Miller Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 2001-10-07 Phoenix, Arizona Prince George (BCHL)
20 Flag of Oklahoma Allen, MattMatt Allen Senior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 168 lb (76 kg) 2000-05-13 Minco, Oklahoma UMass Lowell (HEA)
21 Flag of Minnesota Anderson, BenBen Anderson Freshman F 6' 5" (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2002-03-01 Crystal, Minnesota Wisconsin (NAHL)
22 Flag of Alaska Westin, AidenAiden Westin Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2002-02-06 Anchorage, Alaska Anchorage (NAHL)
23 Flag of Alaska Helgeson, MaximilionMaximilion Helgeson Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-12-05 Anchorage, Alaska Lindenwood (ACHA)
25 Flag of Alaska Huffman, CalebCaleb Huffman Sophomore D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 201 lb (91 kg) 2002-01-31 Fairbanks, Alaska Kenai River (NAHL)
26 Flag of Quebec Finlay, DylanDylan Finlay Sophomore D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 178 lb (81 kg) 2001-10-24 L'Île-Bizard, Quebec Powell River (BCHL)
28 Flag of Alberta Johnson, MattMatt Johnson Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-11-25 Calgary, Alberta Anchorage (NAHL)
29 Flag of Alberta Tisdale, AdamAdam Tisdale F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 171 lb (78 kg) 1998-11-09 Cochrane, Alberta Sacred Heart (AHA)
30 Flag of Alberta Whale, JaredJared Whale Sophomore G 5' 11" (1.8 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2002-11-01 Calgary, Alberta Olds (AJHL)
32 Flag of Wisconsin Lamoreaux, JoeyJoey Lamoreaux G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 1999-02-01 Shorewood, Wisconsin St. Cloud State (NCHC)
33 Flag of Hungary Orosz, GregGreg Orosz Freshman G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2002-08-28 Győr, Hungary Odessa (NAHL)
37 Flag of Saskatchewan Belitski, CarterCarter Belitski Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-01-13 Regina, Saskatchewan Drumheller (AJHL)
43 Flag of British Columbia McNarland, KarterKarter McNarland Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2003-02-10 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Powell River (BCHL)
74 Flag of Colorado Gomez, AlexAlex Gomez Sophomore F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-07-18 Parker, Colorado New Mexico (NAHL)
77 Flag of Alberta Bamber, BrettBrett Bamber Sophomore D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2001-11-07 St. Albert, Alberta Drayton Valley (AJHL)
79 Flag of Alaska Schachle, PorterPorter Schachle Junior F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2000-11-22 Wasilla, Alaska Danbury (NAHL)
86 Flag of Alberta White, JarredJarred White Senior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1999-05-21 Edmonton, Alberta Western Michigan (NCHC)

Olympians[]

This is a list of Alaska Anchorage alumni were a part of an Olympic team.

Name Position Alaska Anchorage Tenure Team Year Finish
Mat Robinson Defenseman 2005–2009 Flag of Canada CAN 2018, 2022 3Bronze medal icon Bronze, 6th

Seawolves in the NHL[]

As of July 1, 2022.

Player Position Team(s) Years Games Stanley Cups
Jeff Batters Defense STL 1993–1994 16 0
Jay Beagle Center WSH, VAN, ARI 2008–2022 646 1
Rob Conn Right wing CHI, BUF 1991–1996 30 0
Curtis Glencross Left wing ANA, CBJ, EDM, CGY, WSH 2006–2015 507 0
Justin Johnson Right wing NYI 2013–2014 2 0
Nathan Lawson Goaltender NYI, OTT 2010–2014 11 0
Gregg Naumenko Goaltender ANA 2000–2001 2 0
Mike Peluso Left wing CHI, OTT, NJD, STL, CGY 1989–1998 458 1
Duvie Westcott Defense CBJ 2001–2008 201 0

Source:[12]

References[]

  1. Seawolf Sports Complex. University of Alaska Anchorage.
  2. Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.
  3. Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves Men's Hockey. U.S. College Hockey Online.
  4. NCAA page for men's ice hockey. NCAA.com.
  5. History of the Great West Hockey Conference. College Hockey Historical Archives.
  6. "The CCHA is going away, but its history will have a final resting place", USCHO, March 6, 2013. 
  7. Bragg, Beth. "UAA hockey supporters launch Save Seawolf Hockey fundraising campaign", Anchorage Daily News, October 19, 2020. 
  8. "College Hockey Returns to Anchorage; Kraken Get an Assist", si.com, August 31, 2021. Retrieved on September 1, 2021. 
  9. 9.0 9.1 "Alaska Anchorage Hockey Media Guide", Go Seawolves.com. 
  10. Alaska-Anchorage Men's Hockey Team History.
  11. 2023-24 Men's Ice Hockey Roster. Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. Retrieved on September 20, 2023.
  12. Alumni report for . of Alaska-Anchorage. Hockey DB. Retrieved on August 17, 2019.

External links[]

This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Alaska Anchorage Seawolves men's ice hockey. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Ice Hockey Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License 3.0 (Unported) (CC-BY-SA).


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