Avs add talent

PALMER — The Alaska Avalanche are slated to hit the Palmer Ice Arena for the first time Thursday, and as the Avs prepare for their first practice of the 2010-11 season, team officials are making some final changes to the preseason roster.

The Avs have added a pair of players, forwards Grant Dye and Tyler Pistone, head coach Brian Huebel said Monday. The first-year head coach also announced forward Taylor Wolfe has moved on to play for Des Moines of the United States Hockey League.

Dye, an Anchorage native, returns to his home state as part of a trade with North American Hockey League rival Alexandria. The 6-foot, 185-pound forward was sent to the Avalanche to complete a deal that involved the trade of Nardo Nagtzaam to the Blizzard last season.

“He’s an energy guy,” Huebel said of Dye, who collected seven goals and eight assists during 52 regular season games last year. “He plays the physical style, which I prefer. But he’ll be expected to score some points as well.”

Dye played high school hockey at Dimond in Anchorage before making the step to the junior level. Dye helped the Lynx advance to the 2007-08 4A state championship game and was named all-tournament following his team’s 2-1 loss to South Anchorage in the title match.

Pistone, a veteran of the USHL and British Columbia Hockey League, will bring four years of junior hockey experience to the Avalanche. The Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, native spent last season with the Tri City Storm of the USHL, recording 6-5-11 totals in 56 games.

Huebel said the 6-foot, 185-pound forward is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and is expected to be available to the team in late October. Pistone is in his final season of junior hockey eligibility and by rule, USHL teams can only keep four players who are in the final year of juniors. That rule combined with the Pistone’s injury, led Tri City to go in another direction this year, Huebel said. But Huebel said, that doesn’t mean Pistone is not a USHL caliber player.

“He’s obviously proven himself there,” Huebel said.

By waiting until his rehabilitation is complete, Huebel said the Avs have the opportunity to add a Division I-caliber player. Pistone, who holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United States, has committed to Division I Army and will attend West Point next year.

“He’s an unbelievable kid,” Huebel said. “Big-time character.”

The Avs selected Pistone during the 2010 NAHL draft.

Wolfe, another 2010 draft selection, will return to Des Moines to play for the USHL Buccaneers. Wolfe put together 4-3-7 totals during 42 games with Des Moines last year.

The Avs return nine veterans from a squad that finished second in the NAHL West Division last year and set franchise records for wins and points in a season. Forwards Seth Johnson, Andy Pearson, Tyler Schwartz, Blake Huppert, Jacob Barber and Zach Smith; defensemen Chase Van Allen and Jake Williams; and goalie Landon Peterson are all back in the Valley for another season with the Tier II Junior A squad.

Alaska opens the 2010-11 season against the Kenai River Brown Bears Sept. 10 at the Palmer Ice Arena.

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