UAA Hockey Offseason

[jwheeler001]

This is the new official thread for UAA Hockey Offseason. Will Schimeck entered the transfer portal yesterday (1 G, 2 A, 3 Pts). Not a huge loss for the program, but I am sure more will follow.

I am starting to get concerned that we have not heard anything in regards to a new arena since the university began discussions with a developer last year.

In the News: University and Seawolf booster group explore options for a new UAA hockey arena - Seawolf 5th Line

Plans are underway for a significant arena improvement and expansion on the UAA campus.

seawolf5thline.com

 

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Wasn’t there some sort of survey about going back to the Sully?

 

[jwheeler001]

After a quick google search, you are right - looks like alumni, donors, and students/faculty received an email asking "Would you support a move to Sullivan Arena".

Reddit - The heart of the internet

www.reddit.com

I am a Mankato student, so I don't have an opinion on if the Sullivan would be preferred over their current rink. I know they previously had issues filling the 6,200 seats, but then again their current rink only seats 800.

 

[UAFIceAngel]

They seemed to have put a good amount of money in to renovating the current arena. I was also under the impression they’d be expanding the current location to increase seating capacity.

Also curious how going back to the Sullivan would work since the Wolverines have made that their new home. I know in Fairbanks we work to be diligent to avoid scheduling games during the same weekend as the Ice Dogs to avoid conflict and sometimes that’s just not possible and we don’t share an arena. Seems like it would harm chances to join a conference if you have to work with another teams scheduling, especially since the college schedules are out or at least close to being finalized before the NAHL season is over.

 

[jwheeler001]

I totally agree with that. Some people mentioned that concern on their facebook post, the response was:

"We would have to navigate schedules and look for overlap. Rentals days and times would have to be decided before any agreements are signed. There are options to make it so we can cohabitate, if a move is supported by fans and the university."

and

"We would continue our efforts for an on-campus rink. We are considering the Sullivan Arena as an interim option."

If they are getting a sweet deal on the Sullivan then I think it might be worth trying. Maybe the solution is to host a few games there (UAA vs UAF) and the 1st home game of the season to see how it goes, before fully committing.

 

[UAFIceAngel]

I totally agree with that. Some people mentioned that concern on their facebook post, the response was:

"We would have to navigate schedules and look for overlap. Rentals days and times would have to be decided before any agreements are signed. There are options to make it so we can cohabitate, if a move is supported by fans and the university."

and

"We would continue our efforts for an on-campus rink. We are considering the Sullivan Arena as an interim option."

If they are getting a sweet deal on the Sullivan then I think it might be worth trying. Maybe the solution is to host a few games there (UAA vs UAF) and the 1st home game of the season to see how it goes, before fully committing.

Do any UAA fans actually want to stay on campus long term? Can’t imagine there’s many who would NOT support a move back to the Sully.

 

[UAFIceAngel]

Max Helgeson is UAAs newest transfer portal entrant. That is quite the shocker.

 

[jwheeler001]

Bummer. Lets hope we can keep our freshmen Ryan Johnson and Dimitry Kebreau.

 

[jwheeler001]

Independents announce they will be playing for the United Collegiate Hockey Cup March 5-7, 2025. I think this will provide some exposure and a reason to play at the end of the season. Additionally, Gunnar VanDamme transfers to RPI.

 

[UAFIceAngel]

Independents announce they will be playing for the United Collegiate Hockey Cup March 5-7, 2025. I think this will provide some exposure and a reason to play at the end of the season. Additionally, Gunnar VanDamme transfers to RPI.

2026*

Excited about the tournament though! Will have to look at how expensive it is to get to it.

 

[Schlacker Rat]

Here my take (yes, it's not helpful moving UAA forward), but the administration in the past knew exactly what they were doing, when they never put ICE in the Alaska Airlines Center. Now with that said, why should UAA get more state funding to build another arena on-campus? I'm a lifelong Alaskan, and I don't support this! UAA got over 110 million dollars for an on-campus arena and choose to not put ice in it.

I do understand that the Anchorage community rallied behind the SeaWolves hockey program and brought it back from the dead, and certain UAA administrators are no longer there.

I do support renovating the Alaska Airlines Center (it wouldn't be cheap) and put ice in it, well before UAA get authorization to build another on-campus facility (which would be more money than renovating).

In reality though...... UAF should get the next on-campus arena funding from the state!

 

[jwheeler001]

I agree, it was a big swing & miss when they didn't put ice in the Alaska Airlines Center. I read the AAC is too small to put in ice in now, since it was designed for basketball/volleyball.

 

[nodak651]

Hopefully both UAA and UAF each get their new arenas... the bb arena at UAA still pisses me off and I have no connection to the school.
Tune into UAA's board of regents meeting tomorrow - looks like it will be discussed. https://go.boarddocs.com/ak/alaska/Board.nsf/files/DGPMPZ5C471D/$file/20250521 - UAA-SHA MOU presentation.pdf
This doesn't mean anything will happen, but it's another step in the right direction.

The BOR passed a motion for UAA to draft a non-binding MOU with SHA and forreview at the May BOR meeting• “The Board of Regents grants authority to the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) todevelop a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Seawolf HockeyAlliance (SHA) to deliver a Division 1 competitive community ice complex on the AnchorageCampus (the “project”). A final draft MOU will be provided to the Board of Regents forapproval at its May meeting before execution. The MOU will serve as a framework for anyfuture agreements. This motion does not grant approval for a ground lease of land or overallproject approval – any such actions remain subject to future board review and approval. Thismotion is effective February 21, 2025.

During the February 20-21, 2025 Board of Regents (BOR) meeting the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) brought forward a request to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Seawolf Hockey Alliance (SHA) to jointly pursue a new community ice complex. The board passed a motion for UAA to draft an MOU for presentation at the May 2025 BOR meeting. This action is the follow-on of that motion based upon UAA and SHA development and negotiation of the authorized draft MOU.

This MOU is meant to serve as a non-binding, general framework for future agreements between the university and SHA in pursuit of a Division 1 competitive ice complex. The MOU positions SHA as the primary fundraiser for this effort, with UAA securing necessary project approvals and ensuring master plan and programmatic alignment. Both UAA and SHA will guide the technical aspects of the building design and fundraising plan. The MOU does not grant approval for any ground lease or overall project approval.

The anticipated next steps following execution of this MOU is for UAA to prepare a request for Formal Project Approval (FPA) for consideration, prospectively at the September 2025 BOR meeting. In addition to FPA, UAA and SHA will develop a more detailed development agreement that will set specific terms on items such as fundraising, design considerations, timeline to execute the project, building/space naming plan, the terms of which will be shared with the BOR as part of the FPA approval.

 

[jwheeler001]

Thanks for that update. I tried to find the meeting minutes to see if there was any additional discussion, all I found was the motion to approve the explore a private/public partnership. Like you said, it doesnt mean anything will happen, but its a step in the right direction.

"The Facilities and Land Management Committee recommends that the Board of Regents grant authorization to the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) to sign and execute the MOU, as presented, between UAA and the Seawolf Hockey Alliance (SHA) to facilitate the development of formal agreements between the parties to pursue construction of a Division 1 competitive community ice complex on the Anchorage Campus (the project). This motion does not grant approval for a ground lease of land or overall project approval any such actions will be subject to future Board approval. Thismotion is effective May 21, 2025."

 

[cinnamoroll]

New transfer of a unique variety for the Seawolves a few days ago. One under the radar side effect of having the CHL rule change is that now USports players (where many former CHLers go after junior eligiblity) can transfer to NCAA D1 programs. Reportedly the academic requirements are less intense, and there's been a few so far.

D David Jesus is a transfer from University of Windsor, 6-4 180 right shot. Should have 2 years of eligibility left, 4-29-33 in 54 games, plus 1-6-7 in 8 playoff games. Spent 4 years in the OHL, one of which was lost to COVID, so he was loaned to the Slovakian Extraleague for 20 games. A lot of his age group were sent to various euro leagues when the OHL straight up cancelled that season.

While some CHL players have a question of how well they'll be able to adapt to bigger, older competition, USports players have already gone through that transition. Good bet to take along with the 3 CHL recruits coming in.

 

[jwheeler001]

I’m glad coach Shaby is taking advantage of the new CHL changes. I also saw we picked up Luke Johnson from UAF. He had 4 pts in 15 games last season.

 

[jwheeler001]

Not UAA related- rather Independent news. Stonehill announces $15 million donation for a new basketball and ice arena.

Stonehill College Announces Record $15 Million Gift for Athletics - Stonehill College

Stonehill College has announced a landmark $15 million gift from Tom '72 and Kathleen Bogan, kickstarting a fundraising campaign to support the construction of a

stonehillskyhawks.com

The renderings look super nice. Its estimated to cost $65 million.

 

[UAFIceAngel]

I’m glad coach Shaby is taking advantage of the new CHL changes. I also saw we picked up Luke Johnson from UAF. He had 4 pts in 15 games last season.

Why doesn’t UAA update their X ever? That’s where I get my hockey updates usually. Annoying.