Aug. 27, 2006

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - The puck has dropped in a new era of hockey in the Mat-Su Valley. The Alaska Avalanche, a North American Hockey League Junior A squad formerly known as the Wasilla Spirit, have completed the first week of their preseason training camp. The team is preparing for the upcoming year, and it's season debut at the NAHL Showcase Tournament in Blaine, Minn., in early September.

More than 30 prospects are competing for a spot on the 2006-07 roster. That group includes only six members of last season's Wasilla Spirit squad.

Avalanche head coach Dean Larson, who is entering his second season coaching junior hockey in the Valley, said he and general manager Corey Millen have not designated a specific number of players they will keep on the roster the team will open the season with, but it is expected to be around 24 or 25.

With virtually all of the talent new to Larson and Millen, Larson said the coaching staff is just taking the opportunity to see these guys in action.

The Avalanche's season debut is against the Southern Minnesota Express at the Showcase Tourney on Sept. 13. The team also will play Marquette and Springfield at the four-day event.

Alaska's home opener is Oct. 6 against interstate rival Fairbanks, but that will be the only Avalanche game at the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Arena until mid-November. Alaska plays 20 of its first 21 games on the road, and many of its games during the second half of the season are at home.

The odd scheduling is actually because of problems at the Ice Dogs' home facility. The Big Dipper Ice Arena is facing major renovations and will be closed for a large chunk of time this fall.

The Ice Dogs had to change their schedule accordingly, and since the NAHL squads must play both Alaska teams on the same road trip, the Avalanche had to adjust as well.

Larson is looking at the positives of the unorthodox schedule.

“Road trips are a good time to bond,” Larson said. “A lot of times after these long road trips, you become more of a team.”

Plus, the Avalanche will have the added advantage of a boat load of home games in the final weeks of the season.

For more information on the squad, see the team's Web site at www.akavalanche.com.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.