September 24, 2007
Alaska
CHN Staff Report
Head Coach: Doc DelCastillo (First season)
2006-07 Record: 11-22-6 (7-16-5 CCHA)
Key Returnees: Wylie Rogers G SR., Aaron Lee F SR., Ryan Muspratt F SR., T.J. Campbell D SR., Brandon Gawryletz D SR., Chad Johnson G JR., Tyler Eckford D JR., Steve Vanoosten D JR., Trevor Hyatt F JR., Kyle Jones F JR., Adam Naglich F JR., Braden Walls F JR., Dion Knelsen F SO., Brandon Knelsen F SO.
Key Losses: Lucas Burnett, Curtis Fraser, Nathan Fornataro
Although last season did not end on the right note, the Alaska Nanooks did win a first-round series against Western Michigan in the CCHA playoffs before losing to CCHA regular-season champion and tournament winner Notre Dame.
This season will be one of change in Fairbanks as Tavis MacMillan steps down as head coach, and in comes former Nebraska-Omaha assistant, Doc DelCastillo.
When DelCastillo took the job, he was very pleased with the situation coming in.
"I was always impressed with the depth and the identity as a team," said DelCastillo about the chemistry at the University of Alaska. "I look forward to getting to know the players a little more."
Sophomore Dion Knelsen will be leaned on a lot after an impressive freshman season, despite battling a shoulder injury. Junior defenseman Tyler Eckford is another key.
DelCastillo has had the opportunity to see these players play.
"I have seen some of them play as a team," said DelCastillo. "I will evaluate the team early. They are all new to the system. I am excited to see them play."
This season the numbers are pretty solid for the class of 2011. Seven members will look to make an impact on the ice.
From past experiences, DelCastillo has some thoughts on how the CCHA might be this year.
"We have to show up and play every Friday and Saturday," DelCastillo said. "The league is returning a National Champion. There are five or six teams that have a shot of the National Tournament. Overall the league is very competitive."
The tradition of Alaskan hockey goes way back. But if you look at hockey at the University of Alaska, their first year of Division I hockey was in 1985-86 when the Nanooks first joined the old GWHC. In fact current Minnesota head coach Don Lucia coached in Alaska from 1987-1993.
"We are not rebuilding," said DelCastillo. "We would like to maintain or polish off the tradition here at Alaska. I am honored to be here. It is a great hockey community and I am excited to be here."
This year Alaska will only have four out of conference games (all of them against Alaska-Anchorage). The out-of-conference schedule might not get to them as much, but maybe the lack of playing a normal schedule might.
