The Avalanche will be hosting tryout camps

ANCHORAGE CAMP SCHEDULE

FRIDAY May 9th

Registration 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM

5:00 pm to 6:15 pm Team 1 vs. Team 2

6:30 pm to 7:45 pm Team 3 vs. Team 4

Saturday May 10th

9:00 am to 10:15 am Team 1 vs. Team 3

10:30 am to 11:45 am Team 2 vs. Team 4

5:00 pm – 6:15 pm Team 1 vs. Team 4

6:30 pm – 7:45 pm Team 2 vs. Team 3

Sunday May 11th

9:00 am -10:15 am Team 1 vs. Team 2

10:30 am -11:45 am Team 3 vs. Team 4

PONTOON RAFFLE

The Alaska Avalanche and West Marine Company are raffling off a 8 foot single man pontoon boat the tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00 the raffle ticket will be drawn on May 14th at the Wasilla Sports Complex. If you are interested in a ticket please call 357-8257,

NAHL launches photo store
November 30, 2007

FRISCO, TEXAS – The North American Hockey League announced today the launch of its official photo store at www.nahlphotos.com.

In the photo store, fans and families are able to browse and purchase over 3,400 images of their favorite players from all 18 NAHL teams.

“Junior hockey is one of the most memorable experiences of a player’s career, and our photo store is a unique opportunity to capture and catalog these exciting years,” said NAHL commissioner Mark Frankenfeld.

Orders placed before December 10 are guaranteed in time for the holidays.

The photos were taken by the NAHL’s director of photography, Robert J. Meyer.

Our New Affliate Team
River City Jaguars
Check out our new affliate team located in
Beaverton, Oregon.
Visit them online at rivercityjaguars.com

GAME DAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Learn more...

If you are interested in an internship, please contact our office - we have openings!

Avalanche College Committments

Dusan Sidor-University of Alaska

Teddy Zierden-University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Michael McCurtain-Univ. of Wisconsin Eau-Claire

Avalanche goalie opts for UAA

By Jeremiah Bartz
Frontiersman
Published on Monday, May 5, 2008 10:20 PM AKDT

WASILLA — Just a week ago, Dusan Sidor was ready to make the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point the next stop in his hockey career.

But last week Sidor was presented with an unexpected opportunity. In need of depth for the 2008-09 season, the University of Alaska Anchorage coaching staff offered the Alaska Avalanche goaltender a spot on the Seawolf roster, Sidor said on Monday.

At a virtual crossroads, Sidor had to follow his heart.

“I thought I was going to Stevens Point and a week after I committed they decided they want me at UAA,” Sidor said. “That was my dream. My goal was to get in that league.”

A native of Slovakia, Sidor came to the United States last year in search of not just an opportunity to play junior hockey, but the chance to earn a spot on a Division I hockey team.

“It’s kind of my dream come true,” Sidor said. “I’m really excited. It’s been a good year for me. Last year I decided to leave Italy. My biggest goal was to come to play juniors in America. The Avalanche made it possible for me. My next goal was to get in a good college in the (Western Collegiate Hockey Association).”

Sidor spent the 2007-08 season with the Avalanche after playing junior hockey in Caldaro, Italy.

In his first and only season in the North American Hockey League, Sidor led the Avs in virtually every goaltending category.

He was also third in the NAHL with 1,303 saves and stopped a league-best 35 shots per game.

Sidor, who had been courted by the Stevens Point coaching staff since the first week of the regular season, said early in the season he asked Avalanche general manager Jamie Smith to talk to UAA on his behalf.

“Back then, (UAA) was not looking for goalies,” Sidor said. “They had everything set.”

But last week Sidor said the UAA coaching staff expressed a need for goaltending depth and offered Sidor a spot on the roster.

Four different goalies saw action for UAA during a 2007-08 season in which the Seawolves posted a 7-21-8 record.

Jon Olthuis started 31 of UAA’s 36 games. Freshman Matthew Gordon, whose season was cut short by a potentially career-ending eye injury in December, started one game. Former Fairbanks Ice Dog netminder Bryce Christianson, who was added to the UAA roster in January, started four games. Aaron Mayo, a walk-on and South Anchorage High School alum, appeared in two games.

Smith said he spoke with UAA assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Damon Whitten, and UAA has Sidor penciled into the third spot.

Sidor said he’s excited, regardless of where he currently sits on the UAA depth chart.

“Right now, I’m going to have the chance to work,” Sidor said. “If I’m not good enough to play, I’ll have to get better. That’s how it is.”

Sidor is also thrilled about the chance to play in Alaska, a state in which the Slovakian has really grown to love.

“I’m really excited. I love the people. I love the area,” Sidor said.

After officially committing to Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Sidor said it was difficult to tell the coaches of the Division III program that he’s decided to make the jump to the Division I level.

“It’s tough, but I think Stevens Point wants the best for me,” Sidor said. “This is a chance to play in the WCHA, the best Division I hockey league. It’s a really great opportunity.”

Sidor is the second Avalanche player to join UAA in as many years. Former Alaska forward Brad McCabe skated in 29 games for UAA during his freshman season, recording seven goals and three assists.

Sidor is also the third starting goaltender to move on to the Division I level in the three-year history of the local junior hockey franchise.

Former Alaska goalie Adam Kraus is a freshman at Boston University, while Andrew Volkening is an Air Force Academy sophomore.