Winger William Rapuzzi of Anchorage, who bagged the ECHL's Rookie of the Year award last season with the Idaho Steelheads, is flourishing abroad.
Rapuzzi is off to a terrific start with Visp in Switzerland's National League B circuit. He's first in the league in goals and third in points with 9-9--18 totals in 11 games.
Last season, Rapuzzi led Idaho in scoring with 16-42--58 totals in 60 games. He was also dynamite in shootouts, scoring on seven of his 10 attempts.
Speaking of Alaska-connected folks abroad, we took a turn through the stats in the Great Britain-based EIHL and came up with these Alaska connections:
Braehead Clan -- Former Alaska Aces defenseman Zack FitzGerald, 0-1--1 in 11 games, 92 penalties minutes ranks second on the circuit.
Cardiff Devils -- Former Aces defenseman Tyson Marsh, 3-5--8 totals in 14 games.
Coventry Blaze -- Former UAA blueliner Mark Smith, in his sixth season in the EIHL, has one goal in 15 games.
Edinburgh Capitals -- Former UAA winger Jade Portwood owns 5-3--8 totals in 12 games and former UAA forward Daniel Naslund has 0-5--5 totals in 12 games.
Fife Flyers -- Former Aces goaltender Kevin Regan is 7-7-0 with a 2.27 goals-against average and .926 save percentage.
Nottingham Panthers -- Former Aces winger (briefly) Robert Farmer has two assists in four games for his hometown team.
Sheffield Steelers -- Former Aces center Tyler Mosienko, who helped them to the 2014 Kelly Cup, owns 8-4--12 totals in 10 games, and former Aces goaltender Frank Doyle is 12-2-0 with a 2.33 goals-against average and .923 save percentage.