Alaska Avalanche drafts five, signs nine

MAT-SU - Alaska Avalanche head coach Dean Larson and general manager Corey Millen had a fairly simple philosophy as they approached the 2006 North American Hockey League draft - improve the team's defense.

That tactic resulted in the selection of four big blueliners and a goaltender.

The Avalanche, formerly known as the Wasilla Spirit, selected defensmen Brandon Grafsunder, Jordan Cuttler, Clay Kasten and J.C. Richardson, in addition to netminder Adam Kraus in the 2006 NAHL draft, Tuesday.

Larson said the Avalanche were able to get most of the guys who were high on their list in the annual draft, most notably Grafsunder, Alaska's top selection.

Grafsunder, a 6-foot-1, 200 pound defensman, recently completed a four-year career at Totino Grace High School, one of the top prep programs in Minnesota.

Larson describes Grafsunder as a big stay-at-home defensman. Many of the blueliners Alaska either drafted or tendered contracts to fit that mold, Larson said.

&#8220Big defensmen are very hard to find,” Larson said. &#8220We wanted to make sure we have enough to solidify that back side.”

The only defensmen returning to the roster from last season are Jeff Dimmen and Reed Rushing, Larson said.

Alaska drafted a pair of 6-2 defensmen in Richardson and Kasten. Richardson skated for the Colorado Outlaws AAA midget team last year, while Kasten played for the Dallas Penguins AAA squad.

Cutler, from the Colorado Rampage AAA midget program, is a 5-11, 165-pound defensman.

Millen used a contact from his playing days in the NHL to find Kraus. The 6-3, 200-pound goalie was coached by former Los Angeles Kings standout Nelson Emerson as a member of the L.A. Junior Kings AAA midget team. Millen also played for the Los Angeles professional squad.

&#8220Corey's good friends with Nelson Emerson, and he told us this kid's the real deal,” Larson said.

Kraus, a selection in the United States Hockey League last year, had some injury problems last year, and may have flown under the radar, Larson said.

Alaska also tendered contracts to nine players.

Defensman John McAfee, forward Kenny Greer and goalie Brittan Kuhlman come to Alaska from the Pikes Peak AAA midget program in Colorado.

The Avalanche also signed two forwards from the Colorado Outlaws program - Austin Brown and Nick Needham.

Fairbanks native Caleb Harrison, a 5-9 forward who skated for the Dallas Stars AAA team last year, was tendered.

Also signed were forwards Jared McIntosh (San Jose Junior Sharks AAA), Travis Stevens (Indianapolis Junior Ice) and Scott O'Conner (Little Cesears AAA).

NAHL teams have the opportunity to tender offers to up to 10 players prior to midnight, the day before the

draft.

Each of the players Alaska tendered or drafted will be invited, with all of the players on the Avalanche roster, to a try out camp in Minneapolis later this summer.

Each player from the 2005-06 roster with Junior A eligibility remaining will be at that camp.

Alaska can also invite players not drafted or tendered by the other NAHL teams.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com or 352-2273.