Nov. 21, 2006

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - You can credit the North Iowa Outlaws with two more assists. After picking up former Outlaw defenseman Josh Erhardt earlier this year, Alaska has grabbed two more former North Iowa skaters. During Alaska's 11-game road trek through Texas and New Mexico, the Avalanche added forwards Jarrod Yost and Chris Nicolaou to the roster.

Alaska head coach Dean Larson said a colleague recommended that the Avalanche take a look at Yost and Nicolaou, a pair of Dallas products, while the team was in the Lone Star state.

“We talked to a few people about them, and had them come out,” Larson said. “They both helped the hockey club right away.”

Yost has two goals and two assists in 10 games with Alaska. Nicolaou has two goals and an assist in 11 games. Nicolaou's second goal in an Alaska uniform came on Saturday. In the third period of Alaska's 4-3 shootout win over Bismarck, Nicolaou intercepted a Bobcat pass, and quickly fired a wrist shot into the upper shelf of the net.

Larson said he sees similar attributes in both players.

“Both are good skaters, and add a little speed to the team. Both have the offensive ability,” Larson said.

Alaska has now added four players to the roster since the start of the season, and all of the additions have been a success.

Earlier this year, Alaska signed forward Victor Nordenson. The native of Stockholm, Sweden, has four goals and three assists in 10 games.

Dave Shyiak, the head coach of the Alaska Anchorage hockey program, played a key role in the Avs landing Nordenson, Larson said. That is important as the Alaska staff continues to build relationships from coaches at all levels of hockey.

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