UAA hockey coach Matt Thomas believes the 12-player recruiting class he unveiled Tuesday addresses two severe shortcomings the Seawolves endured last season — dismal scoring and a dearth of depth.
Not once in 34 games was Thomas able to pencil in his ideal lineup — if it wasn't the forwards who were hobbled, defensemen were damaged.
And in 56 percent of UAA's games — 19 of those 34 — it was held to one goal or none. Hence, the Seawolves' 1.74 goals per game, which ranked last among 60 Division I teams, and their 8.3-percent power-play efficiency, which ranked next-to-last.
All of that added up to 7-21-6 overall, last place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association for the second time in three seasons and a third straight season missing the league playoffs.
Aiming to rebound, Thomas opens his fifth season as bench boss by bringing in seven forwards, three defensemen and two goaltenders. That crew includes two Anchorage skaters — forward Drake Glover and defenseman Aaron McPheters.
"Hey, for us, we needed to get stronger in each area,'' Thomas said.
The incoming class gives UAA 18 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies.
"What we haven't had since I've been here is quality depth,'' Thomas said. "We've almost gone to the end of the season each year with just who's healthy, or available.
"When you're trying to find your way, depth is critical. I want our returning players pushed. Nothing is going to be handed to them. I think a big recruiting class addresses that.''
The seven new forwards each either averaged a point per game or more, or at least in point-per-game territory, in their last season of junior hockey. Four of them scored 25 goals or more in their last season — Jason Lavallee and Brandon Switzer of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's Flin Flon Bombers, and Trey deGraff and Jordan Xavier of the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Okotoks Oilers.
Thomas is also hoping a reinforced blue line will aid the attack. Flin Flon defenseman Eric Sinclair, a 6-foot, 174-pounder, led his circuit's blueliners in goals, assists, points and power-play goals, and was voted the league's Top Defenseman. He's also a right-handed shooter, which is a premium.
"He's got good size, he has great feet and he's competitive, competitive, competitive,'' Thomas said.
Sinclair, McPheters and newcomer Cameron Trott could give the blue line a boost, Thomas said. UAA also regains defenseman Tomi Hiekkavirta, who last season was limited to 16 games by two wrist surgeries, one before the season and one during it, and Anchorage's Mason Anderson, who is now eligible.
"I think our blue line right away has a whole new dynamic,'' Thomas said.
UAA lost five seniors to graduation and their only double-digit goal scorer, Mason Mitchell (12), turned pro last spring after his sophomore season. Three others left the program — center Aleksi Ainali turned pro last holiday break, and forward Sean MacTavish and defenseman Eric Roberts aren't returning. UAA does not return anyone who scored more than five goals last season.
The upcoming season is critical for UAA on at least two fronts. Three straight nonplayoff seasons is a troubling trend that requires halting. Also, the Alaska Aces won't be around — the pro team folded at season's end — and that gives the Seawolves a chance to capture some Aces fans and improve their poor attendance at Sullivan Arena.
UAA in its recruiting class also prepared for life without goalie Olivier Mantha, who Thomas calls the program's "all-everything'' and is entering his senior year. Mantha's teammates have voted him Most Valuable Player three straight seasons, his .910 career save percentage ranks No. 1 all-time in program history and he has started 88.2 percent of UAA's games in his career.
The Seawolves are bringing in two goalies with size in 6-2 Kristian Stead and 6-4 Brody Claeys.
Stead last season for the Nipawin Hawks was named the Saskatchewan league's Top Goaltender and Most Valuable Player, and Top Goaltender in the Canadian Junior Hockey League, which comprises all Canada's junior circuits. He went 29-12-1 with a 1.97 goals-against average, .936 save percentage and seven shutouts.
Thomas thinks Stead and Claeys will benefit greatly from a season watching the detail-oriented Mantha, a math major who is a 4.0 student.
"You bring in those two and they get to watch Olivier and see the way he prepares, the way he attacks his daily routine,'' Thomas said.
UAA Hockey 2017 Recruiting Class
FORWARDS
Player 2016-17 Team (League) Games-Goals-Assists-Points
Brandon Switzer Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) 53-32-43—75*
Jason Lavallee Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) 53-30-37—67
Trey deGraff Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) 60-27-39—66
Jordan Xavier Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) 56-25-29—54
Zac Masson Langley Rivermen (BCHL) 58-15-39—54
Joey Sofo Coulee Region Chill (NAHL) 57-27-24—51
Drake Glover Lone Star Brahmas (NAHL) 52-21-26—47
DEFENSEMEN
Player 2016-17 Team (League) Games-Goals-Assists-Points
Eric Sinclair Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) 46-17-34—51
Aaron McPheters Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL) 47-3-24—27
Cameron Trott Vernon Vipers (BCHL) 51-6-20—26
GOALTENDERS
Player 2016-17 Team (League) W-L-T GAA Save %
Kristian Stead Nipawin Hawks (SJHL) 29-12-1 1.97 .936
Brody Claeys Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL) 12-26-3 3.09 .908
* 2015-16 statistics. Missed 2016-17 season with knee injury.
SJHL — Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
AJHL — Alberta Junior Hockey League
BCHL — British Columbia Hockey League
NAHL — North American Hockey League