UAA Hockey announces incoming freshman class including 3 Alaskans

From UAA Sports Information’s Ian Marks…

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – University of Alaska Anchorage head hockey coach Matt Curley has announced that 12 student-athletes will join the Seawolves for the 2020-21 season. The group is comprised of six forwards and six defensemen.

Tyrell Boucher – ’99 Born, Defenseman, 6-1, 185 lbs. – Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL) – Nampa, Alberta

Tyrell tallied 17 goals and 84 assists in 204 games during his four-year junior career. He played his first three seasons for the Grand Prairie Storm of the AJHL before playing for the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the BCHL in 2019-20.

“Tyrell is a mobile, puck moving defenseman who logs a lot of minutes for the Cowichan Valley Capitals. As one of the most productive defensemen in the BCHL, we will look for Tyrell to make an immediate impact on our backend. Tyrell has tremendous upside as he is strong in all facets of his game. We are thrilled to have Tyrell join our program next season.”

Ethan Gauer – ’99 Born, Defenseman, 6-0, 185 lbs. – Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) – Farmington, Minn.

Gauer appeared in 104 games over two seasons for the Bismarck Bobcats of the NAHL. He scored three goals and 23 assists during his career, including a career-high 21 points (three goals, 18 assists) in 2019-20.

“Ethan is a puck moving defenseman who possesses an elite skating ability. He’s got a lot of tools in his game that developed nicely over his two seasons in Bismarck. He’s worked really hard to develop into a good multi-tool defenseman coming into his freshman year. Bismarck is a program that’s consistently competing at the top of the NAHL, they have a winning culture and that excites us. We are thrilled for Ethan to be joining our program this fall.”

Olivier Gauthier – ’99 Born, Forward, 5-10, 185 lbs. – Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL) – Mont-Tremblant, Quebec

Olivier scored 48 goals and 56 assists in 194 games during his junior career. He tallied 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in one season with the Nepean Raiders of the CCHL before playing the last two seasons with the Cowichan Valley Capitals where he tallied 69 points (30 goals, 39 assists).

“Joining his teammate from Cowichan Valley, Tyrell Boucher, we are excited to add Olivier to the Seawolf Hockey program. He plays with a high motor that has a skill set to match it, he thrives in the dirty areas of the ice. Counted on to play in all special team’s situations, Olivier is a relentless type of player who brings a great deal of intensity day in and day out.”

Wyatt Head – ’99 Born, Defenseman, 6-1, 185. – Coquitlam Express (BCHL)  – Kelowna, British Columbia

Wyatt appeared in 162 career games in the BCHL. He appeared in 143 games, scoring 10 goals and 67 assists in his four-year career with the West Kelowna Warriors. He played his final 19 games for the Coquitlam Express where he tallied 16 points (four goals, 12 assists).

“Wyatt is a smooth skating, puck moving, offensive defenseman. We look to him to be a nice addition to our special teams as well as our even strength play. This past season, he was fifth in the BCHL in points per game amongst defenseman on a very good Coquitlam Express team after returning to the BCHL from Quinnipiac University. We are thrilled to have Wyatt join our program this season.”

 

Zach Krajnik – ’99 Born, Forward, 5-11, 180 lbs. – Kenai River Brown Bears (NAHL) – Eagle River, Alaska

Zach scored 42 goals and 90 assists in 155 games during his three-year career with the Kenai River Brown Bears of the NAHL. He tallied career-highs in goals (18), assists (38) and points (56) in 2019-20. He was recently named the NAHL Midwest Division Forward of the Year and All-Midwest Division Team.

“Zach is a player that will add speed and creativity to our lineup. He has a tremendous upside to his game as he is a gifted skater with hockey sense and play making ability. Zach has been a proven offensive producer at each level he has played. We couldn’t be more excited to add a talented, home grown, young man to our program.”

Chong-Min Lee – ’99 Born, Forward, 5-11, 188 lbs. – Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL) – Seoul, South Korea

Chong appeared in 181 games for the Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCHL scoring 27 goals and 56 assists. He helped the Spruce Kings to the BCHL Championship in 2018-19 and a runner-up finish in 2017-18.

“Chong Min is a highly skilled player who is known for his work ethic and his ability to contribute to the offensive attack. He has had some clutch moments for the Spruce Kings not only in their run to the Canadian National Championships last season but also this season in his final year of junior hockey. He has experience on the biggest stages of amateur hockey being a National Team player for South Korea in the World Junior Championships and competing for the 2019 Centennial Cup for Prince George. We expect him to make a strong transition to Division 1 hockey.”

Josh Martin – ’99 Born, Defenseman, 6-3, 205 lbs. – Lone Star Brahmas (NAHL) – Brownstown, Mich.

Josh appeared in 117 games for the Lone Star Brahmas of the NAHL scoring five goals and 19 assists, including three goals and 12 assists in 2019-20.

“Josh is a big, mobile defenseman who brings a winning pedigree to our program. A tried and true player on the backend, Josh is a solid defender who can get pucks to the net from the offensive blue line. He takes pride in playing a smart, heavy game. Hard to play against, he will add another element of grit to our backend, making the game more difficult for our opponents.”

Devon Mussio – ’99 Born, Defenseman 6-2, 198 lbs. – Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) – Vancouver, British Columbia

Devon registered five goals and 72 assists in 216 games during his BCHL career, most recently with the Nanaimo Clippers. He served as an alternate captain for the Clippers en route to a BCHL Island Division Championship. He was recently awarded his team’s best defenseman award.

“Devon will add size and strength to our back end after a productive BCHL career. He was eighth in scoring amongst defensemen this season in the BCHL while playing against the opponent’s top lines each night. We are excited for Devon to start his career at UAA.”

Michael Muschitiello – ’99 Born, Forward, 5-10, 170 lbs. – Topeka Pilots (NAHL) – St. James, New York

Michael appeared in 113 games during his three-year career for the Topeka Pilots of the NAHL. He scored a season-high 16 goals in 2018-19 and doled out a career-high 28 assist as part of a career-high 38 assists this season for the Pilots.

“We are thrilled to be adding a talented forward, Michael Muschitiello to our recruiting class for the fall. He will add speed and depth to our team as he is an exceptional skater with the ability to produce offense, both scoring and making plays.”

Daniel Rybarik – ’99 Born, Forward, 5-10, 195 lbs. – Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) – Calgary, Alberta

Daniel scored 88 goals and 65 assists for 153 points in 172 career games split between the Salmon Arm Silver Backs of the BCHL, the Calgary Mustangs and the Lloydminster Bobcats of the AJHL. This season he tallied a career high in goals (31) which was second best in the BCHL including (8) on the power play. Daniel is the recipient of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks Top Scorer Award for his final season.

“Daniel is a proven goal scorer at each level of his career, and we expect that production to continue here at UAA. He has found the back of the net no less than 27 times in each of his three junior hockey seasons, players with that type of history are unique. I was impressed this season as 23 of his 31 goals in Salmon Arm were scored at even strength. He has an elite shot and a great knack for playing in the dirty areas of the ice. We are excited to have Daniel in the Seawolf program.”

Porter Schachle ’00 Born, Forward, 6-4, 203 lbs. – Kenai River Brown Bears (NAHL) – Wasilla, Alaska

Porter played two seasons for the Kenai River Brown Bears of the NAHL. He scored 18 goals and 29 assists in two seasons for the Brown Bears. He is the younger brother of current Seawolf Tanner Schachle.

“Porter is a big power forward whose game has really developed over the past year and a half. Standing at 6-4, Porter possesses speed, soft hands and a physical nature to his game. He will add another dimension to our forward group, and we couldn’t be happier to have him aboard.”

Preston Weekes – ’99 Born, Defensemen, 6’3, 205 lbs. – Kenai River Brown Bears (NAHL) – Soldotna, Alaska

Preston registered nine goals and 36 assists in 233 career games for the Kenai River Brown Bears of the NAHL. He is a three-year captain of the club and set a record for games played this season. Preston is this year’s recipient of the NAHL Midwest Division Leadership Award.

“We are excited to welcome Preston, a product of Soldotna to our team. He has been a fan favorite in Kenai as he is a fierce competitor with high-end character. He will add a great deal of leadership and depth to our roster. He is a gritty player and will add to that element of our group.  We expect Preston to add to the competitiveness of our team day-to-day while competing for a spot in our lineup. We are thrilled to have him part of our program.”