University of Alaska Anchorage Hockey: 2009-10 Season Preview

Coming off its best season under head coach Dave Shyiak in 2008-09, Alaska Anchorage returns a squad with leadership and experience that could make the Seawolves' 31st season record-breaking and unforgettable. With 16 returning letterwinners, including the program's most seniors since the 2002-03 season, and 10 newcomers, the Seawolves are shooting for a postseason run in 2009-10.

It's been six seasons since the Seawolves booked a ticket to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's Red Baron Final Five tournament, and both the team and fans are due for another trip. After being predicted to finish last in the competitive WCHA last year, the Seawolves responded with their fifth-best season since joining the league 16 years ago.

"Our staff and players are very much looking forward to a successful season," said 5th-year coach Shyiak, "Our goals and expectations remain the same - keep the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup, gain home-ice in the playoffs, and advance to the Final Five.

With seven seniors sporting the Green & Gold in 2009-10, UAA will look to them to carry the team to the championships in St. Paul, Minn.

"Leadership will play a vital role in our program as we take the next step," Shyiak added. "We have a large group of seniors who have experienced the battles of the WCHA and understand what it will take to win in this league."

Leading the Seawolves this season is senior defenseman Jared Tuton (Whitehorse, YT, 1-5-6), who sports the "C" after being an assistant captain last season. Backing him up on and off the ice as assistant captains will be senior forward Josh Lunden (Coquitlam, BC, 14-6-20), senior defenseman Nils Backstrom (Stocksund, Sweden, 4 - 4-8) and senior forward Kevin Clark (Winnipeg, MB, 13 - 18-31).

Joining the senior foursome in their last season at UAA are defenseman Trevor Hunt (Maple Ridge, BC, 4 - 8-12), forward Ken Selby (Winnipeg, MB, 1 - 1-2) and netminder Jon Olthuis (Neerlandia, AB, 6 - 9 - 1).

The Seawolves return seven of their top 10 scorers from a year ago and 71 percent of their point production. On the forward line, Clark, junior Tommy Grant (North Vancouver, BC, 15 - 10-25), and Lunden, the team's No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 scorer's last year, respectively, will likely lead UAA offensively.

"Our goal production increased last year and we must continue to build on it this season," said Shyiak. "Our challenge as a staff will be finding some chemistry with line combinations early in the season as we have to fill a void at the center position. Grant, Lunden and Clark are upperclassmen that will be relied upon to lead us offensively. For us to improve in goal scoring, we will need secondary scoring so we'll see who steps up and capitalizes on their scoring chances, both 5-on - five and on the power play."

On the blueline, the Seawolves will be led by Hunt and their dominant freshman from last year, sophomore Curtis Leinweber (Calgary, AB, 2 - 10-12).

"Once again, I thought our defensive play was one of our strengths as we did a great job of limiting our opponents' scoring chances. I think last year was the first year our program led the WCHA in the fewest shots against, and we must maintain that component of our game. Our 'D' is a solid group of puck - movers who are able to use their skating abilities on the big sheet of ice. We still need to improve on manufacturing shots from the point and quicker transition play."

Between the pipes, Olthuis suited up for 17 games, registering 3.43 goals - against average and a .877 save percentage. Joining Olthuis in net is junior Bryce Christianson, who saw action in 23 games last season, posting UAA's second - best GAA in a single season (2.60), and tallying two shutouts. Christianson recorded a .893 save percentage and an 8 - 8 - 4 win - loss mark.

"I don't think anyone will argue that goaltending must be a strength of your hockey team in order to achieve success. Both Olthuis and Christianson have played enough games to prove they are capable of being a number one goalie in this league. We will need consistency at this position for us to move up in the standings," Shyiak said.

The UAA incoming class is comprised of 10 newcomers (seven forwards and three defensemen), including three that hail from the state of Alaska. The Seawolves gathered four freshmen from Canada, one from Minnesota, one from the Netherlands and a native of Sweden.

"Our incoming class will give us skating, size, scoring ability and depth. Time will tell what roles they will fill in making the transition to the college game."

The Seawolves 2009 - 10 schedule commences with the Kendall Hockey Classic on Oct. 9 - 10. Joining five - time tournament champion UAA at the 19th edition of the Classic will be Michigan, Mercyhurst and Alaska Fairbanks.

The Seawolves will look to defend their title when they play in the second annual Alaska Goal Rush tournament in Fairbanks on Oct. 16 - 17. They will face Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Robert Morris, respectively.

The 17th season of Western Collegiate Hockey Association for UAA begins Oct. 23 - 24 as it hosts North Dakota in the first of seven conference series to be played at Sullivan Arena. Also making visits to the 49th State in 2009 - 10 are Denver (Nov. 6 - 7), Minnesota State (Nov. 20 - 21), St. Cloud State (Dec. 4 - 5), Colorado College (Jan. 22 - 23), Minnesota (Jan. 29 - 30) and the 2009 WCHA Final Five Champions, Minnesota - Duluth (March 5 - 6).

UAA's conference road series are at Minnesota (Oct. 30 - Nov.1), Wisconsin (Nov. 13 - 14), Colorado College (Nov. 27 - 28), Denver (Jan. 8 - 9), Michigan Tech (Jan. 15 - 16), St. Cloud State (Feb. 5 - 6) and Minnesota State (Feb. 19 - 20).

For the second straight season the Seawolves will face UAF just two times in their annual Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup series, as the Alaska schools will play a home - and - home series Feb. 26 (at UAA) and Feb. 27 (at UAF). The Seawolves, who have won the Governor's Cup the last three seasons, are unbeaten in their last 10 games (8 - 0 - 2) against the Nanooks.

The Seawolves were basically three wins away from having home - ice advantage in the playoffs last season, and with the right combination of leadership, determination and poise, 2009 - 10 could be UAA's best season ever.