Bryce Christianson Giving Going Pro A Go

Bryce Christianson signed on today as an emergency back-up goaltender for the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL thereby foregoing any eligibility.  This had been rumored widely here so I'm not thinking this comes as a big surprise to regular readers.  The main reason for the post is instead just to reprint the comment from Todd Christiason (Bryce's dad) in the comment section of the new recruit post below. It's a simple testament to his character and a quality reflection back on the program:

"Its a very humble beginning for Bryce but he would like to thank everyone including the fans and blueliners who cheered him on for 21/2 years...He had huge expectations after his Sophmore year here and tried his best for the program. His goal is try to make the highest Professional League possible and to carry on the rich tradition of Alaskans in pro hockey...He will have his work cut out for him.. As his Dad and an Alum its a very tough day for our family but we are excited for Bryce... we want to thank everyone associated with the program.. yours in hockey.....Todd Christianson"

Thanks again Todd for choosing my blog to make that graceful statement.  We (and I'm speaking for everyone that reads here) wish him success.  We appreciate his past efforts as well.  He's got excellent athleticism so I'm betting on that to carry him forward.  And on a personal note, I hope to keep running into you at the Sully next season and beyond.

Jordan Kwas Added For 2010-2011

21 year old AJHL Olds Grizzlys forward Jordan Kwas has committed to the UAA Seawolves for the 2010-2011 season.  Jordan was the leading scorer in Olds this past season scoring 21 goals with 45 assists in 59 games.  This was Jordan's 2nd full season with Olds.  

He played in 20 games during the 07-08 season scoring 3 goals and 6 assists.  In 08-09 he bagged 19 goals and added 33 assists in 55 games.  In Olds 15 game playoff run during 08-09 Jordan managed a nice 8g-12a performance garnering the Playoff MVP award for the club.  This season he was named the Regular Season MVP for the Grizzlys.  He was named AJHL Player of the Week for Nov16th-22nd 2009.

He is 5ft 10in 185lbs and was born on February 20, 1989.  Jordan's addition will bring the number of forwards on next years UAA roster to 15/16 total forwards.  Competition for playing time looks to be the theme for next years forwards.  As an experienced and mature playmaking forward Jordan may very well earn lots of chances to play for Coach Shyiak who has always tended to give freshman adequate opportunities to prove themselves in the first half of a season.  

There's not a lot of scouting or press available on Jordan other than regular game reports and season preview mentions that are typical for many players.  His low penalty minutes throughout his career speak well of him. Welcome to the Seawolves Jordan.  We're excited to see what you can add to our club.

The Former Seawolves Update

Hey everybody it's James back again, this time with a real post. As the playoffs get set to begin in the numerous professional leagues around North America, let's take a look at where the Seawolf alumni are playing at (if I am missing anybody let me know):

Starting off in "The Show", the National Hockey League (NHL):

• Curtis Glencross - Calgary Flames. 67GP - 15G - 18A - 33P - +11 - 58PIM

Curtis pretty much begins and ends our look at the NHL. Jay Beagle played 6 games (1G - 1A - 2p) for the Washington Capitals but is currently in Hershey, their AHL affiliate.
On to the "A", the American Hockey League (AHL):

• Jay Beagle - Hershey Bears (Washington). 63GP - 14G - 18A - 32P - +7 - 25PIM
• Kevin Clark - Manitoba Moose (Vancouver). 4GP - 2G - 0A - 2P - +2 - 4PIM
• Paul Crowder - Hartford Wolf Pack (New York Rangers). 74GP - 12G - 11A - 23P - -11 - 20PIM
• Lee Baldwin - Hartford Wolf Pack (New York Rangers). 2GP - 0G - 0A - 0P - +1 - 2PIM
• Josh Lunden - San Antonio Rampage (Phoenix). 3GP - 0G - 1A - 1P - 0 - OPIM
• Chad Anderson - Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal). 50GP - 0G - 4A - 4P - -4 - 26PIM
• Luke Beaverson - Rochester Americans (Florida). 27GP - 0G - 2A - 2P - +2 - 22PIM
• Nathan Lawson - Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders). 33GP - 15W - 14L - 3SOL - 1SOW - 82GA - 2.53GAA - 990SVS - .924SV%
• Charlie Kronschnabel - Syracuse Crunch (Anaheim). (total between Hershey and Syracuse) 23GP - 2G - 1A - 3P - -9 - 5PIM

Notes: Mat Robinson was at Binghampton but was recently sent down to Elmira of the ECHL. Charlie K is indeed playing at Syracuse but the team website doesn't show him, however he is there.

Speaking of that, here's the league a lot of us know, the ECHL:

• Spencer Carbury - South Carolina Stingrays (Washington - Hershey). 53GP - 10G - 18A - 28P - 128PIM
• Lee Green - Alaska Aces (St. Louis - Peoria). 45 GP - 0G - 2A - 2P - +4 - 57PIM
• Justin "JJ" Johnson - Alaska Aces (St. Louis - Peoria). 53GP - 3G - 4A - 7P - -2 - 244PIM
• Merit Waldrop - Alaska Aces (St. Louis - Peoria). 20GP - 2G - 7A - 9P - -4 - 18PIM
• Nils Backstrom - Alaska Aces (St. Louis - Peoria). 3GP - 0G - 0A - 0P - -2 - 0PIM
• Jon Olthuis - Alaska Aces (St. Louis - Peoria). Emergency Backup - No stats
• Trevor Hunt - Stockton Thunder (Edmonton - Springfield). 7GP - 0G - 2A - 2P - +1 - 15PIM
• Eric Walsky - Victoria Salmon Kings (Vancouver - Manitoba). 8GP - 1G - 1A - 2P - -6 - 6PIM
• Mat Robinson - Elmira Jackals (Ottawa - Binghampton). 60GP - 6G - 25A - 31P - +9 - 30PIM

Next up is the old U-Haul league or United Hockey League, now the International Hockey League (IHL):

• Shane Lovdahl - Quad City Mallards (Philadelphia - Adirondack). 66GP - 2G - 18A - 20P - -15 - 42PIM

Onto the Central Hockey League (CHL):

• John DeCaro - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. 39GP - 24W - 14L - 1OTL - 2SOW - 105GA - 2.73GAA - 1085SVS - .912SV%
• Matt Hanson - Arizona Sundogs. 52GP - 3G - 7A - 10P - -11 - 60PIM

Next up is the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL):

• Corey Hessler - Fayetteville FireAntz. 7GP - 0G - 0A - 0P - +5 - 8PIM

Over to Europe now, First up is the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL):

• Duvie Westcott - Dynamo Minsk. 55GP - 3G - 19A - 22P - 146PIM

Final stop is Holland's Eredivsie:

• Peter Cartwright - Groninger Grizzles. No stats found
• Blair Tassone - Groninger Grizzles. No Stats found

Couple of notes: Jim Dahl was with the Aces but is not listed as active. Kevin Reiter was in England but is not active currently.

Alright that is everybody that is active that I've found. I know some might not like the fact I've included Westcott and Walsky but, despite what you think of them, they are former Seawolves. I left out Dustin Molle I know, I have my reasons. If I really did miss anybody comment and let me know, I'll double check it.

Seawolves To Play Aces In Two Exhibitions

The Blood Bank of Alaska, the ECHL Alaska Aces and WCHA University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves announced today a 2 game exhibition series to be played Friday December 17h and Saturday December 18th, 2010 on the Seawolves home ice at Sullivan Arena.  It is a first ever exhibition series of it's kind in modern Division 1 hockey and promises to bring added excitement for Anchorage hockey fans of all stripes.

Speaking for the Alaska Aces, frontman and Vice-President of Operations Jack Michaels said this of the announced series:

The Seawolves essentially built the Aces long ago so this series is great in that it will pit two proud local teams against one another in an exhibition for pride.  We in the Aces organization hope that the Seawolves folks won't hold it against us for winning these two games.  Instead, we hope that it will allow UAA fans to get a better appreciation for high talent level of the ECHL.

In a separate statement issued by the University Head Coach Dave Shyiak said:

As a representative of the league (WCHA) wtih the highest level of amateur hockey in the world the Seawolves look forward to the opportunity to once and for all definitively answer the question of whether a league full of marginal CHL players and failed AHL players can even compete with the talent of the WCHA.  We will put a big fat WCHA stamp on these games I can assure you.

UAA Athletic Director Dr. Steve Cobb added:

There's a long standing argument in this town regarding who has the better hockey team.  Back home when two good ol' boys down in the holler have a disagreement they settle it the old fashioned way.  This series is the same thing.  I 'spect it'll be a dang nabbit good time.  What's an "Aces" anyway and what does a white bear have to do with it?

Admission to the series will be free for those donating blood to the Alaska Blood Bank by presenting a special coupon entitled "Give Blood, Play Hockey" which can be obtained during the two weeks preceeding the much anticipated games.  The mobile Blood Bank will be stationed outside the event prior to the game to allow donations at that time and receive the free admission.  Tickets will be sold to those unwilling or unable to give blood for $20 and all seating will be first come, first served general admission.

Blood Bank of Alaska spokesperson Clarice Sanguisuge indicated her excitement in a statement saying:

We're thrilled to get the opportunity to sponsor such a great event.  Typically, people are out Christmas shopping at that time of year and blood donations are down.  But we believe the chance to see two free hockey games will provide a boost to our supply which will increase our stockpiles for months instead of the normal weeks we typically warehouse.  Of course, I'm a big fan of both teams and am excited myself to see whether the youth and vigor of the Seawolves can take down the age and experience of the Aces.  You might say it's youngblood versus oldblood.

Mayor Dan Sullivan is expected to announce later today that he will commission a special trophy to be awarded to the winner of the series.  Total goal differential will be used to determine the winner.  If necessary, the games will not use the standard post game shootouts to determine the winner but instead, the shootouts will be conducted prior to the start of both games guaranteeing the excitement that only shootouts can bring to hockey.  10 shooters from each team will take their turns before each game.  The results will be tallied and used as a tie-breaker (should one be needed).

When asked about this series and UA_'s exclusion, UA_ Athletic Director Forrest Karr said:

Up here in the Golden Heart city we don't need to prove anything but in order to answer this creative marketing move we've decided to drop the name Nanooks and instead call the team the Alaska Alaskans.  We noticed ESPN didn't call us Alaska Nanooks during our one and only NCAA playoff game that finally happened this year.  

Instead they're on screen scoreboard said "Alaska Fairbanks".  The complete and utter failure of our previous branding has left us with no choice but to re-brand again.  We are certain that the Alaska Alaskans name will do the job of differentiating ourselves from that team down the road that has beaten Boston College twice in the NCAA playoffs.

Rumors abound that the Fairbanks Ice Dogs (an NAHL Junior A team who is comfortable keeping the name of Fairbanks) have challenged UA_ to a similar two game series.  Forrest Karr was silent about those rumors.  However Ice Dogs General Manager Rob Proffitt said:

They won't play us because they know we'd kick their asses.  They might be embarrassed to keep Fairbanks in their name but we aren't.  We love this city and their intellectual elitists asses need to be taken down a peg or two.  But they won't play us.  They're pussies.