Avalanche improve front line with addition of import

WASILLA — Averaging about four goals per game, the Alaska Avalanche are not exactly desperate to add talent at the forward position. But the Avs aren’t going to deny it either.

Late last week, the Avs announced the addition of forward Nardo Nagtzaam. Nagztaam, a native of the Nederlands, comes to the Avalanche, via a connection with Alaska head coach Dave Boitz.

“A friend of mine called me and said he has an import, but doesn’t have an import spot available,” Boitz said.

Nagtzaam had been with Sioux City of the United States Hockey League, but as an import player — an athlete born outside of the United States —Nagtzaam found himself as the odd man out. Boitz said Sioux City had a pair of imports, who were set to depart Sioux City and ultimately opted to return to the USHL franchise.

USHL squads are allotted just two imports on the roster.

That left Nagtzaam in need of a place to play, so a colleague of Boitz called the Alaska head coach.

“It’s one of those deals. We weren’t really looking for a forward, but he’s a pretty good player,’ Boitz said. “I’d rather have him on the team rather than be playing against him.”

Nagtzaam recorded 66 points in two seasons with the Krefeld Pinguine of the Dutch National League, according to eurohockey.net, before embarking on a junior hockey career in the United States.

The 6-foot forward who shoots left, is also only 18 years old and sports many offensive attributes according to Boitz.

“He’s a highly skilled player,” Boitz said. “He’s smart with the puck, and passes clean and crisp. He’s got a great shot and he’s a good-sized kid.”

Boitz’ colleague at the USHL program said if Nagtzaam wasn’t an import, he’d be a top-three-line forward.

The Avalanche staff have been excited about the production of their front-liners during the first eight games of the season, but Boitz is excited about the addition of the Dutch player to the Alaska (6-2-0) squad.

“I’m happy with the forwards, but you can’t ever have enough scoring,” Boitz said.

Avs trade forward

The Avalanche have traded forward Alex Rasmussen to the Springfield Jr. Blues, according to Alaska president and general manager Jamie Smith.

Smith said Rasmussen became the odd-man out on Alaska’s front line, thanks to the emergence of the Avs’ first-year talent.

“The young guys have played so well,” Smith said.

Seven of Alaska’s top-10 scoring forwards are skating in their first NAHL season.

Rasmussen appeared in three of Alaska’s eight games this season, recording a –1 and two penalty minutes.

The gritty Minot, N.D., native recorded five goals and six assists in 47 games during his rookie season with Alaska.

This is the third deal the Avs have made with Springfield within the last four months.

Alaska sent forward Jeremiah Dargis to Springfield in exchange for forward

Derek Kimbro and defenseman Richard Zobek, and later shipped blueliner KC Kranz for goalie Garrett Tinkham.

Kimbro is the only player to stick with their new team. Dargis was traded to Bismarck last week. Zobek is playing in the Eastern Junior Hockey League. Kranz and Tinkham were both given their release earlier in the season.

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