Western Collegiate Hockey Association coaches rate UAA's prospects this season slightly better than media covering the circuit, though neither project prosperity for the Seawolves.
UAA was pegged for eighth place on the 10-team circuit in the Mankato (Minnesota) Free Press WCHA Preseason Coaches Poll and 10th place in the Bemidji (Minnesota) Pioneer WCHA Preseason Media Poll. Both polls were released Tuesday in conjunction with the league's annual conference call.
"I think we can be a better team than that predicted finish,'' said Matt Thomas, UAA's fourth-year coach.
The Seawolves (11-20-3 overall) finished ninth in the WCHA last season — only the top eight qualify for the playoffs — and 10th two seasons ago.
Meanwhile, UAF (10-22-4) was voted eighth in the media poll and 10th in the coaches' poll. The Nanooks finished eighth last season.
The top seven were identical in both polls — Bowling Green, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State-Mankato, Ferris State, Northern Michigan, Bemidji State and Lake Superior State. Coaches voted UAA, Alabama-Huntsville and UAF at 8-9-10. Media voted UAF, Huntsville and UAA at 8-9-10.
Both the Seawolves and Nanooks will begin the season next month uncertain about the future of their programs because of the state's budget crisis. The University of Alaska is considering options that, at best for the state's two college hockey teams, will reduce athletic funding, and at worst, will eliminate them.
Thomas and UAF coach Dallas Ferguson both said their players are focused on the season and controlling what they can control.
"They're using it as motivation, which I think is the best way to handle this type of situation,'' Thomas said.
UA's Board of Regents is expected to make decisions about UAA and UAF athletics in November.
[Check out the Bemidji Pioneer WCHA Media Poll]
[And here's the Mankato Free Press WCHA Coaches Poll]
Season of changes
The WCHA this season will institute a new playoff format that puts all the league's postseason games at home rinks and will employ a new overtime format.
Gone is the Final Five, which alternated between St. Paul, Minnesota, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Instead, each of the league's best-of-3 quarterfinal series will be played at the rink of the higher seed. Ditto for the best-of-3 semifinals and the championship game.
The league hopes the change raises postseason attendance.
The WCHA will also for the first time use a three-point system for each regular-season game. A game tied after regulation will feature five minutes of 5-on-5 overtime. If that does not furnish a winner, the teams will play five minutes of 3-on-3 OT. If that does not suffice, the game will go to a shootout.
Wins in regulation and 5-on-5 OT will be worth three points. A win in 3-on-3 OT or a shootout will earn the winning team two points and the losing team one point.
Previously, the league only used a five-minute overtime played at 5-on-5, with the winner earning two points and the loser meriting nothing. And a tie was a tie, earning each team one point.
"We are evolving, adapting and thinking outside the box when necessary,'' said WCHA commissioner Bill Robertson.
Cracking down
WCHA supervisor of officials Greg Shepherd said referees will be vigilant about calling interference, obstruction and holding, which have crept back into the game in the last few seasons.
"They will be called, and they will be called tightly,'' Shepherd said.
Shepherd said an NCAA rule change no longer requires players to wear a mouthpiece — a mouthpiece is recommended, but not mandatory. NCAA rules mandate players wear a full shield or facemask.
Also, Shepherd said players and officials must wear helmets at all times except during the playing of the national anthem. That move is in response to the death of WCHA official Butch Mousseau last March. Mousseau fell during warm-ups for a playoff game and later died of head injuries.
Top talents
Ferris State senior forward Gerald Mayhew was voted preseason Player of the Year in both polls. Mayhew last season earned 16-25—41 totals in 41 games.
Coaches picked Minnesota State-Mankato forward Parker Tuomie as preseason Rookie of the Year. Tuomie last season furnished the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede with 30-24—54 totals in 50 games.
League media voted Ferris State defenseman Cameron Clarke as preseason Newcomer of the Year. He posted 9-41—50 totals in 59 games for the NAHL's Lone Star Brahmas last season.
UAA jersey raffles
UAA's Blueliners Booster Club is seeking youth sports teams (any sport, players 13 and under) for its jersey raffle fundraisers at home games.
Call or email Al Haugen (907) 830-4404, alhaugen@gci.net.