Preseason Media/Coaches Polls: Seawolves 6th & 7th

In a league where most everyone thinks that every team has improved since last season, the Seawolves have been picked to finish 6th by the Media and 7th by the Coaches.  Last season UAA finished the regular season in 6th place with 28 points.  3rd place Bowling Green and UA_ had 30 points each with 5th going to MTU at 29 points.  7th place NMU finished the year with 27 points. Needless to say it was very very close in the middle of the pack.

The voting this year reflects that closeness to some degree.  

Charlie Sokaitis Interviews Matt Thomas

In case you didn't see it … This interview was on Sunday Sept. 21st on Charlie Sokaitis' "The Show" from KTUU TV.  I spent about an hour trying to figure out how/where to add a "time" parameter to this code (I could do it for other YouTube or Flash players but not this one) which makes this video on this page.  I was unsuccessful sooooo … in order to skip to the portion of the video where the interview begins; go to 17:35.

It's a typical preseason interview and Coach Thomas sounds pretty positive about the upcoming season.

Green and Gold Game Report

The Green and Gold game tonight was a pretty fun event.  The evening started with an informal meet & greet on the concourse of the Wells Fargo Sports Center.  Hot dogs, chips, cookies and juice were enjoyed while chatting with players and staff.  I was personally happy to meet the new folks I met and thrilled to see people I've known from the rink for a long time.  At 6:30 the Skate With The Seawolves portion of the evening kicked off and lots of kids seemed to have a good time skating with the little ones.

What I Love About Our Juniors

Last night I emphasized our Senior class; tonight it's the Junior's turn.  First though a reminder that tomorrow night is the Green/Gold intrasquad game preceded by the Meet & Greet with food beginning at 5:30pm.  Between the Meet & Greet and the game will be a Skate With The Seawolves session.  Make sure to bring the young 'uns for this.  Between periods of the intrasquad games there will be a skills competition i.e… fastest skater, hardest shot etc.

What I Love About Our Seniors

As is almost always the case in NCAA Division 1 Hockey, upperclassmen are the key to success for each program.  Every team of the 59 will live and die based on the performances of their returning players.  Once in a while a Thomas Vanek shows up and destroys the paradigm I've just established.  But that's so so rare as to not consider it a real factor.  This year's Seawolves' success will be based on what our veterans produce.  And as a whole, I'm pretty stoked about the potential.  Lemme splain why and how I love our vets …

Catching Up, Staying In Touch, Going Forward

Walking into the Sullivan Arena today was a somewhat surreal experience for me.  I didn't think two years was a long time but it felt like a long time since I'd been there.  It was nice to have another concrete experience since arriving Monday night to help give me a sense of home.  The first was the crisp clean fall air I noticed when I arrived.  The second was not having to look down at Google Maps on my iPhone to figure out where the heck I am every 15 minutes.  Man, I was straight up LOST so many times over the last two years.  Taking a wrong turn and going a mile out of your way is a big deal when you're travelling by bike.

"Pick-A-Seat" On Thursday - Don't Forget

Mother of a 11 year old to son: "Are you going to the movies?"

11 year old: "Wut"

Mother: "I asked if you are going to the movies ..."

11 year old: "No.  Why are you asking that?"

Mother: "Because I see you're picking your seat already."

Son immediately stops scratching his butt.

Sorry, I can't help but have that visual for the phrase "Picking Your Seat".  Thank goodness that UAA's Athletic Department called Thursday's event "Pick-A-Seat" instead. 

This ... Also That

Saw this pic on Reddit.  Had to share it.

Also the Pick-A-Seat event is this coming Wednesday, September 18th.  Here's the relevant text from GoSeawolves.com.

On Thursday, Sept. 18, Seawolf Hockey will hold its Pick-A-Seat gathering from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sullivan Arena. Whether pre-purchasing or buying on the spot, fans who buy season tickets at the event will receive a complementary lunch.  

The UAA Hockey team will host 16 games at Sullivan Arena in 2014-15, starting with the Kendall Hockey Classic, Oct. 11-12. The Seawolves are coming off their best season in 20 years, including a berth in the 2014 WCHA Final Five.

That is all.

Pictures Of The 2014-15 Seawolves Rookies

Here's your 2014-15 Rookie pictures:  It's a group of good looking young men.  The interesting side note for me is that of all 9 guys none of their last names are in the 2nd half of the alphabet.  Hopefully that means something good.

Latest Athletic Department Presser

Keith Hackett hosted a press conference a couple of days ago to talk about Dr. Cobb and his contributions to the opening of the Alaska Airlines Center.  He correctly credits Steve Cobb for his efforts to bring the new center to fruition.  

In terms of hockey there's some benefit in the new center even though it's not a home for the team. The training opportunities are available and with all the other sports moving out of the Wells Fargo there'll be lots of room for the hockey team.

2014-2015 Seawolves Hockey Preview

There's much room for optimism for 2014-2015 edition of the Seawolves Hockey team.  The bad news is that Matt Bailey (20-18) and Jordan Kwas (13-19) took 33 goals with them when they graduated last season.  The good news is that the next 14 highest scoring players are returning.  The top three; Blake Tatchell (7-25), Scott Allen (17-14) and Brett Cameron (10-13) return 34 goals.  Sophomore Brad Duwe (7-1) headlines the rest of the returners.

It's Not a "Great" Day To Be a Seawolf

Dr. Steve Cobb had much to do with this blog's existence.  Conversations I had with him nearly a dozen years ago led to me starting this.  His support and encouragement helped me grow it to eventually gain credentials from UAA Athletics.