Avs add a pair of prospects

Oct. 29, 2006

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

The Alaska Avalanche added a pair of players to the 2006-07 roster last week, and the team is already seeing the benefits.

Victor Nordenson scored goals in his first three games in an Avalanche uniform, and Josh Erhardt has posted a pair of assists since earning a spot on the team.

Avalanche head coach Dean Larson called the impact of the additions immediate.

Nordenson, a 6-foot-1, 185 pound forward, is a native of Stockholm, Sweden. Prior to coming to the United States, Nordenson skated in Sweden's junior Super Elite League. In two seasons with Djurgarden, Nordenson posted 15 goals and 22 assists. In 36 games last year, he had 10 goals, 11 assists and 40 penalty minutes. In just one season, he double his goal-scoring output, and cut his penalty minutes by more than half.

Larson said Nordenson had tried out for some teams in the United States Hockey League. The Avalanche learned about Nordenson after speaking to a contact who knows University of Alaska Anchorage head coach Dave Shyiak. Nordenson is a big and strong forward who is expected to not only score goals, but provide help on the Avalanche penalty kill units, Larson

said.

In Nordenson's debut, a 3-2 loss to Santa Fe last week, he scored Alaska's first goal of the game. The following night he posted a pair of goals in a 5-3 win over the Roadrunners.

On Friday, Nordenson posted a power-play tally in a 4-2 win over Wichita Falls.

&#8220He's played great for us,” Larson said.

Alaska signed Erhardt after he was released by North Iowa. Larson said North Iowa started the season 0-6, and made several roster moves to shake things up. The Avalanche were able to take advantage by signing a veteran player of the league.

Erhardt, a 5-11, 170 pound defenseman and native of White Bear Lake, Minn., skated for the Billings Bulls last season.

Alaska added Erhardt to give itself more depth on defensive side of the ice. He has also worked into the offensive gameplan, posting assists in consecutive games.

Larson said Nordenson and Erhardt were needed to fill holes in the roster left by forward John McAfee and defenseman Austin Brown. Both McAfee and Brown were released

last week.

Alaska also traded the rights of Mike Glaesmer to Traverse City. Glaesmer had been skating for the Bay City Breakers of the Eastern Junior Hockey League.

Since Glaesmer played for the Wasilla Spirit last season, the team that evolved into what is now known as the Avalanche, Alaska still owned his rights. In order for Glaesmer to return to his home town of Traverse City, Mich., and play for the North Stars, a deal had to be done.

According to the North American Hockey League Web site, Alaska will receive a player to be named later as compensation.

Glaesmer tied for the lead on the Spirit squad with 17 goals last season. His 28 points ranked him second on the squad.

He also had a team-high six power-play

tallies.

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