The UAA men’s hockey team announced Wednesday its schedule for its return to action in the 2022-23 season.
The 35-game schedule includes 11 games at home at six Governor’s Cup games against in-state rival UAF. The Seawolves open the season at home against Simon Fraser on Sept. 23.
2022 NCAA Tournament team Western Michigan will travel to Anchorage for a series in early October. In December, the Seawolves will take on the Nanooks in a pair of home-and-home series for the Governor’s Cup. The final series between the two teams will be Jan. 27 and 28.
“Our staff is incredibly excited with how our schedule turned out for the 22-23 season,” said head coach Matt Shasby in a statement. “I could not be happier with the way college hockey has welcomed Seawolf hockey back. Our goal was to create the most competitive schedule we possibly could so when we were out on the recruiting trail we could show potential student-athletes they were coming to UAA to play college hockey at its highest level. I feel that our schedule in year one also provides our student-athletes a unique experience beyond just the hockey, getting to see parts of the world that not many of our student-athletes have experienced. We can’t wait to hear the PACK howling for the home team this fall!”
Multiple athletes receive academic honors
Several student athletes from both the UAA skiing and track and field programs were recently recognized for their academic achievements. Skiers JC Schoonmaker and Espen Persen both earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors and Jacob Moos led the men’s track and field team that saw six student-athletes named to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. Joining Moos in being honored were Titus Kangogo, Jacob Belanger, Daryl Bushnell, Joshua Wagner and Joshua Jackman.
Men’s hockey adds another transfer
Last week, UAA men’s hockey coach Matt Shasby announced the transfer of forward Caleb Hite, who will be joining the Seawolves for the 2022-2023 season after spending the previous three seasons playing for their in-state rival, UAF. He appeared in 72 career games for the Nanooks and finished with five goals and seven assists for 12 points.
Prior to his collegiate career, Hite played two seasons of junior hockey for two different teams in the NAHL from 2016-2018. He recorded 34 points in 58 games for the Minnesota Magicians and 47 points in 71 games for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, where he first became acquainted with current UAA assistant coach, Trevor Stewart.
Nanooks women’s basketball hires new head coach
The University of Alaska Fairbanks athletic department announced last week it has hired Amy Donovan to lead its women’s basketball team. She will be the 16th head coach since 1974 after spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach at Weber State for its women’s team. During her time with the Wildcats, Donovan wore many hats, and her duties included recruiting, initial eligibility, event management and fundraising through community members.
“We are excited to announce Amy Donovan as the new head coach for Nanook women’s basketball,” said athletic director Brock Anundson in a statement. “Amy’s experience as a coach and player at all levels has proven she’s ready to take the helm of an incredibly talented group of student-athletes. It’s clear that her passion to develop the program will start day one, as our student-athletes are excited to develop under her direction. I’m eager to welcome Amy to the Nanook athletics family.”