Alaska Avalanche names former UAA standout as general manager

Nov. 7, 2006

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - Mark Lee, the managing partner of the Alaska Avalanche ownership group, had manned the title of general manager since he and his associates took over the local Junior A hockey team during the offseason.

But as the season progressed, Lee - who is also a prominent real estate broker in the Valley - saw the need for a full-time general manager.

Last week Lee and his partners filled that need by hiring former University of Alaska Anchorage hockey standout Keith Morris.

&#8220It became very apparent that we really did need a general manger who could run the day-to-day stuff,” Lee said on Monday. &#8220To have a guy of his caliber, with his background, is just a tremendous opportunity for us.”

For the past several months, Morris - who has worked at both the junior and collegiate level since his playing days - has spent time with the Avalanche staff, as a volunteer, helping the program with its marketing and business operations.

With that, Morris said he was able to familiarize himself with the organization, even before he was offered a full-time position.

&#8220I was in a transition period, and tried to help out wherever I could,” Morris said.

Morris not only has strong ties to hockey in the 49th state - he skated with the Seawolves for four seasons, was a captain at UAA and served as an assistant coach at his alma mater for three years - but he has ties to the Valley. His wife is a native of Wasilla.

&#8220It's a situation where I know a lot of people out here,” Morris said.

Most of his responsibilities, Morris said, will lie on the business side of hockey, as he intends to help the organization not only put a good product on the ice, but build the solid foundation off the ice.

&#8220As the general manager I certainly will let (head coach Dean Larson) coach the team, and hopefully develop the business side to make the job easier for the coaches,” said Morris, a teammate of Larson's at UAA.

As an amateur player, the prolific forward posted 61 goals and 73 assists in four seasons in a UAA uniform. He also skated for the Canadian National Team during the 1992-93 season. Following his career in college, Morris spent most of his professional career in the East Coast Hockey League - playing for the Columbus Chill, Dayton Bombers and Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies - but he also skated in a handful of International Hockey League games.

Morris' hockey background includes a wealth of junior experience. His father has been involved in junior hockey in his hometown on Winnipeg, Manitoba, and he has also had experience working in the front offices of junior programs.

&#8220He kind of grew up with this stuff,” Lee said.

Morris joins a staff that already could boast strong hockey experience. Larson is a former collegiate and professional standout. Assistant coach Corey Millen skated at the NHL level. Marketing director Jamie Smith has built programs locally at the youth and prep levels.

Although Morris officially has been in the position for less than a week, Lee said the organization already is seeing the benefits.

&#8220He's worth his weight in gold,” Lee said.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.