Young Seawolf Hockey team begins practice

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Leaves are falling and the mornings are getting more and more nippy; it must be close to hockey season.

The UAA hockey team took to the ice this afternoon for their first official practice of the season Monday.

Dave Shyiak enters his sixth season as the Seawolf head coach with one of his youngest teams ever. His squad includes 19 players who are either freshmen or sophomores.

The young group is going to have to make the most of the few experienced players it does have.

“Obviously, Tommy Grant, Sean Wiles, Parkinson, we need them to lead us offensively, but we have some holes to fill with departures like Kevin Clark, we need some of those guys given an opportunity to step up and provide some offense for us,” said Shyiak.

"I think this year is going to be more of a group effort and trying to get everybody to improve their level rather than expect one guy to score,” said senior Tommy Grant.