Alaska Anchorage Seawolves men's ice hockey
| Alaska Anchorage Seawolves men's ice hockey | |
|---|---|
 Current season | |
 | |
| University | University of Alaska Anchorage |
| Conference | Independent |
| First season | 1979–80 |
| Head coach | Matt Shasby 4th season, 29–59–8 (.344) |
| Assistant coaches |
|
| Arena | Avis Alaska Sports Complex Anchorage, Alaska |
| Colors | Green and gold[1] |
| NCAA tournament appearances | |
| 1990, 1991, 1992 | |
| Conference regular season champions | |
| GWHC: 1987 | |
| Current uniform | |
 | |
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
[edit]The Seawolves began their ice hockey program in 1979, playing 8 of its 31 games against Division II Alaska–Fairbanks, of which they won all of them, 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. The team was promoted to Division I that summer following the collapse of Division II hockey.[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.
A year later in 1990, they posted their first 20-win season at the D-I level and were selected to the NCAA Tournament, where they would be swept by Lake Superior State. They returned to the national tournament the following year after another 20-win campaign. This time they were able to win their first NCAA playoff game, sweeping Boston College, before being swept themselves by Northern Michigan. The 1991–92 season provided UAA with its best record in program history, with the team going 27–8–1 and garnering a third consecutive NCAA berth, a 3–7 loss to Lake Superior State. This would mark the Seawolves most recent NCAA playoff berth. 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 frequently lost both games in the opening round of the WCHA tournament, losing their first 20 consecutive WCHA playoff games. The 2003–04 season proved to be a surprising one, as despite finishing 8th in the WCHA, the Seawolves made it all the way to the WCHA semifinals.
College hockey underwent a major re-alignment in 2013, when the CCHA collapsed due to the formation of the Big Ten, leading many WCHA members to leave and create the NCHC.[6] This caused the WCHA to replace many of its departing members with former CCHA teams but even in the new, weaker WCHA, the Seawolves were still a bottom-half team. After finishing with a winning record and making the conference semifinals in the first season, the Seawolves would miss the playoffs each of the next five years.
Beginning in the 2019–20 season, the Seawolves began playing in the 800-person capacity on-campus Avis Alaska Sports Complex, rather than their old home of the Sullivan Arena. The university announced this move would save an approximate $200,000 per year.[7] Further financial issues would crop up, as 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 if they could raise two seasons worth of expenses, approximately $3 million by February 2021. 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. In December 2020, the team began fundraising for the needed money,[8] and on August 31, 2021, the university announced that enough donations had been received to save the program.
The team returned to the ice in the 2022–23 season[9] as an Independent program, following the collapse of the men's side of the WCHA after the CCHA's revival in 2021. Additionally, the Seawolves performed several upgrades on the small Avis Alaska Sports Complex to improve the fan and player experience. In 2023–24, the Seawolves posted their best season in a decade, with a 15–17–2 record. The team is currently pursuing plans to build a new arena.[10]
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Season-by-season results
[edit]Head coaches
[edit]| 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 | 3 | 29–59–8 | .344 |
| Totals | 7 coaches | 44 seasons | 540–820–145 | .407 |
As of completion of 2024–25 season. Records includes regular season and playoffs games.[12]
Statistical leaders
[edit]Career points leaders
[edit]| Player | Years | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dean Larson | 1989–1992 | 63 | 137 | 200 | ||
| Dennis Sorenson | 1981–1984 | 70 | 127 | 197 | ||
| Joey Hayse | 1984–1987 | 76 | 93 | 169 | ||
| Derek Donald | 1989–1992 | 74 | 91 | 165 | ||
| Peter McEnaney | 1985–1988 | 54 | 107 | 161 | ||
| Doug Spooner | 1988–1991 | 75 | 73 | 148 | ||
| Steve Bogoyevac | 1989–1992 | 50 | 96 | 146 | ||
| Rob Conn | 1989–1991 | 76 | 70 | 146 | ||
| Keith Morris | 1990–1994 | 73 | 61 | 134 | ||
| Mark Stitt | 1992–1995 | 45 | 88 | 133 |
Career goaltending leaders
[edit]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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregg Naumenko | 1998–1999 | 30 | 1692 | 11 | 13 | 5 | 65 | 1 | .920 | 2.31 |
| Olivier Mantha | 2014–2018 | 122 | 6973 | 28 | 77 | 14 | 350 | 3 | .908 | 3.01 |
| Jared Whale | 2022–2024 | 35 | 1752 | 11 | 18 | 1 | 88 | 2 | .906 | 3.01 |
| Chris Kamal | 2010–2014 | 71 | 3850 | 21 | 39 | 2 | 198 | 5 | .888 | 3.09 |
| Rob Gunderson | 2010–2014 | 82 | 4499 | 24 | 41 | 10 | 236 | 1 | .886 | 3.15 |
Statistics current through the end of the 2024-25 season.
Roster
[edit]As of July 30, 2024.[13]
| No. | Nat. | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 
|
Ethan Warrener | Freshman | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2003-05-15 | Calgary, Alberta | Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) | — |
| 3 | 
|
Joey Potter | Sophomore | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2003-05-09 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Union (ECAC) | — |
| 4 |
|
Davis Goulker | Junior | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2001-04-22 | Atlanta, Georgia | Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL) | — |
| 5 | 
|
Pavol Funtek | Freshman | D | 6' 6" (1.98 m) | 207 lb (94 kg) | 2003-07-03 | Bratislava, Slovakia | Minot Minotauros (NAHL) | — |
| 6 |
|
Brandon Lajoie | Junior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2001-10-18 | Eagle River, Alaska | St. Cloud Norsemen (NAHL) | — |
| 8 |
|
Gunnar VanDamme | Sophomore | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 182 lb (83 kg) | 2002-12-08 | Pittsford, New York | Maryland Black Bears (NAHL) | — |
| 9 |
|
Conor Cole | Junior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 183 lb (83 kg) | 2001-10-28 | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador | Maryland Black Bears (NAHL) | — |
| 10 |
|
Logan Acheson | Junior | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 173 lb (78 kg) | 2002-04-24 | Edmonton, Alberta | Bemidji State (CCHA) | — |
| 11 |
|
Dylan Contreras | Freshman | F | 5' 7" (1.7 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 2003-05-23 | Yorba Linda, California | Kenai River Brown Bears (NAHL) | — |
| 12 |
|
J. P. Steele | Freshman | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2003-10-08 | Franklin, Michigan | Maine Nordiques (NAHL) | — |
| 14 |
|
Connor Marritt | Graduate | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 174 lb (79 kg) | 1999-03-14 | Kelowna, British Columbia | Northern Michigan (CCHA) | — |
| 16 |
|
Ryan Johnson | Freshman | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 181 lb (82 kg) | 2003-05-05 | Calgary, Alberta | New Mexico Ice Wolves (NAHL) | — |
| 19 |
|
Nolan Gagnon | Freshman | D | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 2003-04-18 | Metcalfe, Ontario | Amarillo Wranglers (NAHL) | — |
| 20 |
|
Adam Parsons | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2003-10-22 | Port Moody, British Columbia | Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) | — |
| 21 |
|
Ben Anderson | Sophomore | F | 6' 5" (1.96 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 2002-03-01 | Crystal, Minnesota | Wisconsin Windigo (NAHL) | — |
| 22 |
|
Aiden Westin | Sophomore | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2002-02-06 | Anchorage, Alaska | Anchorage Wolverines (NAHL) | — |
| 23 |
|
Maximilion Helgeson | Senior | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2000-12-05 | Anchorage, Alaska | Lindenwood (ACHA) | — |
| 25 |
|
Will Schimek | Graduate | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 2001-05-22 | Mendota Heights, Minnesota | Providence (USHL) | — |
| 26 |
|
Dylan Finlay | Junior | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 178 lb (81 kg) | 2001-10-24 | L'Île-Bizard, Quebec | Powell River Kings (BCHL) | — |
| 27 |
|
Dimitry Kebreau | Freshman | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 181 lb (82 kg) | 2003-06-16 | Silver Spring, Maryland | Maryland Black Bears (NAHL) | — |
| 28 |
|
Matt Johnson | Junior | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2001-11-25 | Calgary, Alberta | Anchorage Wolverines (NAHL) | — |
| 30 |
|
Tyler Krivtsov | Freshman | G | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2003-12-02 | Santa Clarita, California | Fairbanks Ice Dogs (AJHL) | — |
| 31 |
|
Bryant Marks | Freshman | G | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 174 lb (79 kg) | 2004-03-12 | Wasilla, Alaska | Kenai River Brown Bears (NAHL) | — |
| 33 | 
|
Greg Orosz | Sophomore | G | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2002-08-28 | Győr, Hungary | Odessa Jackalopes (NAHL) | — |
| 39 |
|
Tanner Edwards | Graduate | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2000-03-11 | Anchorage, Alaska | Minnesota State (CCHA) | — |
| 43 |
|
Karter McNarland | Sophomore | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2003-02-10 | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | Powell River Kings (BCHL) | — |
| 74 |
|
Alex Gomez | Junior | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2001-07-18 | Parker, Colorado | New Mexico Ice Wolves (NAHL) | — |
| 79 |
|
Porter Schachle | Senior | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 2000-11-22 | Wasilla, Alaska | Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (NAHL) | — |
| 86 |
|
Jarred White | Graduate | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 1999-05-21 | Edmonton, Alberta | Western Michigan (NCHC) | — |
Olympians
[edit]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 | CAN |
2018, 2022 |  Bronze, 6th
|
Seawolves in the NHL
[edit]As of July 1, 2024.
| 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:[14]
References
[edit]- ^ The Official UAA Brand Book (PDF). Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- ^ "Seawolf Sports Complex". University of Alaska Anchorage. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
- ^ "Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves Men's Hockey". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ "NCAA page for men's ice hockey". NCAA.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2008.
- ^ "History of the Great West Hockey Conference". College Hockey Historical Archives. Archived from the original on June 26, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
- ^ "The CCHA is going away, but its history will have a final resting place". USCHO. March 6, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
- ^ "UAA hockey team moves home games from Sullivan Arena to on-campus rink". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ Bragg, Beth (October 19, 2020). "UAA hockey supporters launch Save Seawolf Hockey fundraising campaign". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ "College Hockey Returns to Anchorage; Kraken Get an Assist". si.com. August 31, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ "University and Seawolf support group explore options for a new UAA hockey arena". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ a b "Alaska Anchorage Hockey Media Guide". Go Seawolves.com. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
- ^ "Alaska-Anchorage Men's Hockey Team History". United States College Hockey Online. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- ^ "2024-25 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ "Alumni report for . of Alaska-Anchorage". Hockey DB. Retrieved August 17, 2019.