Anchorage blueliner returns to Avs

PALMER — During the final weeks of the 2010-11 season, Connor Wright appeared to be one of the more promising young forwards on the Alaska Avalanche roster.

But after bagging two goals and five assists during the final 16 games of the season, Wright didn’t appear to be returning for another year with the Avs. But now, the Anchorage native is back and the Alaska coaches are excited about the potential.

“Connor has a lot of potential,” Alaska head coach Corey Millen said. “A lot of skill, a lot of potential.”

Wright made his 2011-12 debut last Saturday during Alaska’s 4-2 win over the Kenai River Bears in Soldotna.

“Overall, offense-wise, Connor was one of our top forwards last weekend,” Alaska assistant Josh Petrich said.

Petrich said Wright had a couple of solid opportunities on the Kenai goal, including a pair of breakaways.

“He brings top-end speed,” Petrich said. “Not many kids can match the speed he has.”

In addition to Wright’s return, the Avs swapped blueliners with North American Hockey League rival Alexandria and parted ways with one of the team’s three goalies.

Last week, Alaska acquired defenseman Jeff Bergh from the Alexandria Blizzard in exchange for Jordan Krebsbach.

Alaska also released goaltender Blake Mendenhall.

Petrich said the Avs made the deal for Bergh, in part, to satisfy Krebsbach’s wishes.

“He’s a Minnesota boy who wanted to get back to Minnesota,” Petrich said of Krebsbach.

Krebsbach was acquired by the Avs early in the season in a trade with Odessa. Originally, the Avs had sought Krebsbach to help fill a glaring need on the blueline, a player with a left-handed shot. Alaska sent rookie Zach Mertes to Odessa in the deal.

Krebsbach had one assist in four games with the Avs.

Last season, Krebsbach finished with 5-12-17 totals in 48 games with the NAHL’s Owatonna Express.

Bergh is another defenseman with a left-handed shot and is a player Petrich is familiar with. Petrich was an assistant on the Alexandria staff last season.

Petrich said Bergh, who has 1-3-4 totals in 24 career NAHL games, has the potential to be a good player on the blueline for the Avs.

Mendenhall was one of three goalies on the Alaska roster, but the decision to part ways was mutual, Petrich said.

“Blake wanted to move on with his life,” Petrich said. “We wish him the best.”

Mendenhall, a former West Anchorage standout and Alaska Player of the Year, appeared in only one game this season. He was tagged with an overtime loss during Alaska’s 4-3 loss to Bismarck in the NAHL Showcase in September. He made 18 saves in the game.

Mendenhall also spent a portion of the 2010-11 campaign with the Avs. He was 5-8-0 with a 3.05 goals against average and .895 saves percentage in 14 games. Mendenhall ended the season with the Idaho Jr. Steelheads of the Western States Hockey League.

The Avs are now less than a week away from their home debut. Alaska hosts the Fresno Monsters in its 2011-12 home opener Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the MTA Events Center in Palmer. The contest marks the first of a three-game set and a 10-game homestand. Alaska will also host Fairbanks and Wenatchee during the homestand.

Avs officials said the team has made additions to the facility to help improve the fan experience. Additions include flat screen televisions with a broadcast of the game for fans in the beer garden and near the concession stand. A new light show has been designed to use during the pregame player introductions. For more on the countdown to the Avs’ home opener, see the Tuesday and Friday editions of the Frontiersman.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.