Friday, March 21, 2008

Recruit Update: Final

With two recruits signed for the 08-09 season and five departing Seniors don't be surprised if UAA adds another forward at some point this offseason. UAA has 20 returning skaters next season (8 defensemen, 12 forwards OR 9 defensemen, 11 forwards depending on what you call Jared Tuton). The Seawolves aren't in desperate need to add another forward but could add depth with another. That's all pure speculation on my part.

Tyler Moir's (6'1" 205lbs -- turns 20 on Sept 17th) Drumheller Dragons are in the semi-final round of the AJHL playoffs and will be facing perennial powerhouse Camrose for a birth in the finals. Tyler is currently leading the Dragons in playoff scoring with 3 goals and 7 assists in 8 games which is also good enough for 6th overall on the league leader table. He finished the regular season ranked 4th in points per game at 1.4 with his 75 points (26g-49a) putting him at 8th overall. 13 of his goals came on the power play. His 216 penalty minutes were good enough to tie him for 7th overall in the league.

Curtis Leinweber's (5'8" 169lbs -- turned 20 on Feb. 25th) Okotoks Oilers were just eliminated from the playoffs by the Dragons. In 8 games Curtis posted 1g-2a for his team. During the regular season Curtis' numbers were 22g-38a for 60pts in 61 games. He was 3rd on his team in scoring even though he filled the role of a non-forechecking locked winger in Okotoks neutral zone trap.

Mickey Spencer (6'1" 180lbs -- turns 19 on June 11th) and Gustav Bengtson (5'9" 175 -- turns 19 on Aug 31st) are 2009 recruits. Spencer finished his rookie season with the Cowichan Capitals in the BCHL with 27 goals and 12 assists in 53 games. Cowichan did not qualify for the BCHL playoffs. Bengtson has netted 9 goals and 10 assists over 36 games in his rookie season with the Texas Tornado of the NAHL. The Tornado have clinched a playoff spot however they've done so with the lowest point total of any team that will be participating.

It's time for me to move on to the off-season. I will not be posting again until at least mid-August. I know I said this last year and then posted anyway. Don't expect the same thing this off season unless there is some earth-shattering news, in which case I probably won't be able to resist the urge.

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

Post the tentative schedule for next year before you leave til August.

Anonymous said...

Have a good summer.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Donald!
Have a good summmer and see you next season.

Anonymous said...

For a team that needs goal scoring this does not look like natural scorers. On a team that had one double digit scorer it could be a struggle to score again next year.

Anonymous said...

I like the comment on bringing in a Richard Bachman and 2 T.J.Oshies...Like they helped there teams in the WCHA playoffs...Put those 2 on UAA..Id love to have seen Bachmans numbers on the wolves especially in the second half..It does look like there is money left for some scoring...lets hope we get a couple of frontline stud scorers..Its all about scoring GOALS..

Anonymous said...

Richard Bachman had a .932 save percentage and was WCHA rookie and WCHA player of the year. The Seawolf goalies didn't stop the puck over .900. Oltius was .884 and Christiansen was .862. That is below par when the flat line is .900 Had trouble stopping it and putting it in the net. If the save percentage goes up that will create more wins.

Anonymous said...

Save pct is only one measureing stick ..with your team only scoring one goal in 9 out of the last 12 games any Goalie is going face different circumstances and pressures ? then why didnt CC win it if Bachman is so good..he faced perimeter shots.no breakaways.low percentage shots.and CC had the best D in the league. Besides CC scored goals in bunches ..I suppose Bachman will take CC to the frozen 4?? No way .. Its about experience in net and Mannino was the best Goalie in the WCHA..and guess who won..Denver

Anonymous said...

Is it August yet?

Anonymous said...

Is Curtis Leinweber related to Chris Leinweber (former UND player)?

Donald Dunlop said...

They're both listed as Calgary natives. So my guess would be yes.

Anonymous said...

I was just pondering the Aces recent success after a nightmare start.

Too bad UAA doesn't have the luxury of calling up new players to fill in when others get injured! What a sweet deal they have.

Donald Dunlop said...

It's a two way street for the Aces. If a guy overperforms for a while then you lose him to the higher level. I tend to think it evens out somewhat in that league.

To the first commenter ...
I don't remember when a tentative schedule will come out but there is nothing yet. I'm sorry that I forget who the non-coference games are against ... there'll be 2 against UAF of course but 4 against the other teams in the UAA and UAF tournaments. My understanding is both of those tournaments will be early season and I'd guess the UAF home and home series for the Governors Cup will be the last weekend in Dec. The rest of the schedule of course will be the same WCHA opponents as usual. We'll probably only play Minnesota and CC one series this season but I've never paid enough attention to the rotation of the unbalanced schedule to know exactly beforehand.

Anonymous said...

Richard Bachman was the best goalie and the best player in the WCHA this past season. He had a tremendous year both in wins and stats. He is probably going to be an All American.

Anonymous said...

UAA's non conference opponents are UCONN, Northwestern (Kendall HOckey classic), Maine and Mercyhurst in UAF's tourney. And we play UAF in a home and home the last weekend in FEBUARY

Anonymous said...

Bachman was a very good player, too bad he couldn't get it together in the final 5. 4th place? Seriously St. Cloud would have taken them. How will they do in the NCAA's? I have to say that Mannino played big when it was on the line, senior experience. Should be interesting to see how far the WCHA can go again this year...FYI Mankato got screwed, Wisconsin?? and playing at home? Fuck that.

Anonymous said...

Merit signed with the Aces and Luke has a try out in the AHL!

Congrats to both of them.

Anonymous said...

waldrop's a deadbeat puckhog

Anonymous said...

LOL, kinda like Walsky? LOL too funny.

Anonymous said...

All I know about the schedule for next season outside of what has already been posted is that Minnesota is not coming up next year and North Dakota and Duluth are so...that just leaves one WCHA school who won't be here and I am not sure who that is. Also, Beaverson played his first game with the Amerks tonight, he went -2 and got into his first boxing match. Merit didn't play tonight, but since Cam Keith was sent down it is tough to say how soon he will.

Anonymous said...

Hate to see any one trash on merit..lets see what he does with some offensive talent around him...Its great to see some of the seawolves getting a sniff at pro...anybody want to see a goalie..watch beckford sue... the absolute real deal beyond belief..he was sickning against phoenix tonight..Can anyone say NHL..that stands for Not.Here.Long............What in the Hell is he doing in this League....Wow is life not fair

Anonymous said...

If UAA could have got that type of goaltending instead of .87 save percentage they would have won more games. You could have thrown in scoring more than 1.5 goals a game also.

Anonymous said...

"If UAA could have got that type of goaltending instead of .87 save percentage they would have won more games. You could have thrown in scoring more than 1.5 goals a game also."

Thanks for the insight genius! Wow, maybe you should take up coaching. :rollseyes:

Anonymous said...

lets Talk facts on the Goalies..Johhny Os had 2 full years to settle in and his average is what it is..Christiansen played in 3 complete games with over a 900 sv pct in 2 out those three games against teams in there Barns that were red hot at the time..Lets give B.C. a full year with all the benifits then make a call..There was no question J.O. was a different goalie the day some competition arrived ..I think Donald has elaborated on that fact several times..Good luck to both next year

Anonymous said...

CC..got beat HMMM..Again

Anonymous said...

Beck Tsu has been absolutely unflappable in the ECHL but unfortunately he has been inconsistent at the higher levels and that's why he keeps coming back to the ACES. He got a shot in the NHL in the last couple months...

Anonymous said...

Mickey Spencer won the Capital's "Rookie of the Year Award":

http://www.cowichancapitals.com/banquet.htm

Good for him! I wish he were joining UAA next year instead of 09/10.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of recruits what is going on????

Anonymous said...

UAA still has 24 players on their roster, although one or two are walk-ons. Two are recruited for next season, that makes 26 kids. I doubt they are looking to pick up many more guys in the offseason. Maybe one more.

Anonymous said...

you gotta give Fairbanks credit they Know how to recruit..YODA is an animal and he is selling fairbanks..The guy would be a top producer for Cal Worthington..A recruiting Maniac?? I think hes got a plan..

Anonymous said...

He's got a plan alright, a plan to replace every single player he didn't recruit. The exodus will be even bigger after next season.

He's got enough recruits to make an entire team!

Anonymous said...

I'd bet that there are young players re-thinking their committment. To sit out a year is not so bad if you can go elsewhere and be assured of playing.

Anonymous said...

The problem is there are no assurances in college hockey..Coachs have to win..Its all business people unfortunately sometimes SHADY business. Fairbanks is going to be fun to watch eh

Anonymous said...

So what happenend to the Sports arena.Nothing was mentioned in the ADN this morning except other projects that politicians were bringing to Palin??? Any body know the latest.

Anonymous said...

If it's not an art house or some more money to the homeless or the "children", don't look for any $$$ that would actually benefit Alaskans.

Anonymous said...

We have to have something positive to breath life into the Seawolf program..1500 people on fan appreciation nite??? ..When we were giving away tickets???..Not one word about the arena in the paper..I understand we are State run this and State run that but Who is taking the lead on this Must have for the program???..but what about taking on an entrenpenurial look at things ..realize we have to run things completly like a succesfull minor pro franchise with Hockey seperated out ..It will pay for itself and more if done by the right people ..the Athletic Staff has way to much on there plate...Right now we are at a almost worse case senerio with a worst case of being booted out of the WCHA being Aremegeddon.. Most Alaskan Hockey people dont care or are indifferent to the program..theres is a tremendous disdain amoung top Alaskan players towards the program from years of abuse and distrust specificly regarding the treatment overall and the disparity of treatment of Players brought up from the lower 48 and Canada in relations to scholarship money for local players among many other things...This still holds true from most of the players who have played here that do or are able to reside here..There is barely if any Alumni support for the program with little ongoing interaction among even the Alumni who care..This is not a slam towards the Dept or current staff or coachs..THIS IS JUST WHERE We are at right now.. This post is in frustration of what could be and th reality of what has gone on for the last 15 years..It does not have to continue..I just would like to see a blueprint for change and just sitting idle and "waiting til next year" is Frustrating as hell..Its not like other Programs in Hockey and other sports have not been where UAA is currently at..Lets get a solid blueprint together and start moving in the right direction..The Coachs have there hands full with just the hockey..its up to Everyone else to band together and move forward..But Dr Cobb we need a put together a blueprint and it has to come from you..I implore you to step in and start making moves right now ..Theres no question your a smart guy and very capable but we need to MOVE..Hopefully you will read this post and understand that alot of people do care and this challenge will be set in motion..We need a Leader right now and your the guy..Best of luck Dr Cobb we need you..

Anonymous said...

Nice article in adn today on the latest with the Sports center..Awsome..its moving still

Anonymous said...

What does the article say about hockey though?

"Phase 2 is a hockey arena with 7,500-seat capacity that we would work to develop in partnership with the Municipality of Anchorage. This partnership would both yield an improved hockey arena off campus and help us to minimize our campus footprint."

A hockey arena OFF campus? I thought they wanted it on campus. What am I missing here?

And phase two? Seems a long time off.

Anonymous said...

Its too bad donalds taking the summer off he would probally know the deal..You must be getting bored?? fill us in..

Anonymous said...

This is COLLEGE HOCKEY. An arena off campus???? Sighhhhh....

Anonymous said...

What's really sad is that Cobb actually has a full-time fundraiser working for him for over a year now and we really haven't heard much about what has been accomplished. I heard that they are looking for the state to fund the 1st phase and have enough donors to help with the second phase. My feeling is with Cobb at the helm, I will be collecting a Social Security check before we get a new building.

Donald Dunlop said...

I'm so not bored but I wasn't going to allow this Arena crap to draw me back to writing the blog so soon after I went on break. I sent Dr. Cobb an email. I don't think Cobb is the problem here. I think Ulmer and Spindle are the likely architects of this crap. Fran never had a stomach for hardball politics and no doubt that Spindle just wants to get something done so it isn't on his plate anymore. I called them ineffectual bureaucrats.

I think someone needed to put their ass on the line and speak up passionately. We all know UAA has too often had the screws put to them in terms of funding and I think they're just afraid to step up.

It reminds me of the movie "Defending Your Life" ... the Albert Brooks character gets his wife to practice with him for the big job interview the next day. He says "sorry I can't work for that amount" at every amount his wife offers him and says "I can't start for less than 60,000" but the next day when the interviewer offers him 40K he grabs it as fast as he could. Sort of a no guts no glory thing.

Fear is the mind killer. <--- That one's from DUNE. But honestly, I think that's what you have hear. The UAA administration thinks the state smells like a lot less money than they really want.

Give me 15 minutes with Palin and she'd be introducing a bill for an on campus arena.

Anonymous said...

I have written Palin numerous times and all I get is a canned response.

I have to disagree with you Donald, I put the blame squarely on Cobb's shoulders. He is the AD, he is the one who is ultimately responsible for getting this going. The article said this plan has Ulmer and Cobbs full approval.

Phase two puts the hockey team low on the priority list.

Donald Dunlop said...

The official hierarchy at UAA suggests otherwise.

Cobb works for Spindle in the Administration Department and Spindle is Vice-Chancellor who works for Ulmer.

Cobb can cajole, beg and/or plead with them but that's about it.

Anonymous said...

I thought Ulmer was Vice Chancellor?

Anonymous said...

Palin is sitting on billions of surplus money from oil..ya really got to wonder about things if she cant be convinced on the Arena..But I like the plan of sending Donald in for 15 minutes.Im thinkin that would work and it would be fun as hell to watch..LOL.I mean does someone need to collect signatures for the arena,again a plan is needed and if one is in place it would be good to inform the blog on the latest..

Donald Dunlop said...

Ulmer is THE Chancellor and reports only to the "Regents" (in Fairbanks).

Here's a likely scenario.

Ulmer has convos with the Regents:

Ulmer: We'd really like to request funding for a new sports Arena ya know?
Regents: Um ... No. We've been to the well with the legislature pretty often lately. We just got like 80 million to build a museum up here (with the worlds only "sound sculpture").
Ulmer: Yeah but that's up there. Down here at UAA we have craploads of students and not many amenities ya know.
Regents: HEY ... This is the UofA system. The new museum up here is accessible to UAA students online and they're welcome to visit it if they choose.
Ulmer: But we've got local needs.
Regents: OK OK ... but you're asking for way too much money. Cut it in half and find a way to do it.
Ulmer: (skulks away with whatever she could get) Um ... thank you.
Regents: OK ... now we can go back to absconding with federal grants and letting our wives buy extra fur coats.

The power of the Regents and the fact that they're based in Fairbanks has as much to do with this debacle as anything. Of course, if Ulmer had any BALLS she wouldn't have backed down.

Anonymous said...

FWIW, 5 regents reside in anchorage, two live in Fairbanks (including eric drygas - how did he get on there?). I don't know how many are grads of the respective Universities that they represent.

Anonymous said...

Who are the regents in Anchorage..lets bombard somebody to get this going..or should we just hang out as things are in motion..

Donald Dunlop said...

A link with all the Bios of the current Regents

Donald Dunlop said...

Drygas got on there because the last guy's wife diverted tens of thousands of dollars from a federal grant she got (for some worth cause) into her own pocket. He was forced to step down.

Anonymous said...

It's official, the UMD Bulldogs are getting a new arena. I'll miss the old DECC, great classic venue with an awesome seating arrangement.

If you try to get out an travel and see the WCHA rinks, get to the old DECC next year for the UAA series, March 6,7.

The new arena in Duluth is something Alaska should look at as a reference for their new rink.

Anonymous said...

Any links to articles about the new Duluth arena? I thought this was voted down.

Anonymous said...

recruit update...
from fairbanks
we may need a coach...
word is that doc del castillo has resigned after just one year on the job...the official announcement
may come later thursday...

Anonymous said...

that is confirmed Yoda has offically resigned from UA_, so how many of his recruits are gonna stay?

Anonymous said...

Think the Alaska Schools are a MESS...

Anonymous said...

Donald where we at with YODA???

Anonymous said...

Yoda's gone and all the D-I Minnesota schools are getting new rinks which was signed off from their Govenor. Now that's dedication to the youth of today, unlike Palin. The rink needs to be on campus to spark student attendance.

Anonymous said...

All minnesota rinks are funded and the UAA hockey rink is in the proposed phase 2 portion of the facility planning. That will take about 12 years to get completed. After all the other buildings and maintenence for the university system that rink is way off. And with the funding in minnesota it looks like alaska is not making progress

Anonymous said...

I think it shows the dedication to the sport. I've lived in both places, as have many residents in AK. I'm always baffled that a town of nearly 300,000 really only has 3 outdoor rinks that are maintained when winter lasts so long. I lived in a town of 10,000 people in MN and there were 8 outdoor rinks that were maintained like indoor ice. I know there are issues with funding and the schools not interested in maintaining their outdoor rinks, which is ridiculous. If people up here really love the game, gotta find a way to take care of outdoor ice, because that is where hockey players become great is developing skill where the game is unorganized.

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