Avs’ career leading scorer to play Division III hockey in Vermont

WASILLA — For the last three years, the Alaska Avalanche have battled through consistent change. But throughout that time, there’s been one constant — forward Kyle Pichler.

Now after three standout seasons with the Avalanche, Pichler is skating to the next level to play for Division III Castleton State College in Castleton, Vt.

“I think it’s where he belongs,” Alaska head coach Dave Boitz said. “It’s a good league. (Division III) is a really good level of hockey.”

Pichler leaves the Avalanche as Alaska’s career leading scorer and holds career franchise records in several offensive categories. His 51 goals and 53 assists are both best in team history. The Anchorage native is also the first player in franchise history to eclipse the 100-point mark. He collected 104 points in a team-record 170 career games.

Pichler put up solid numbers during his time with the Avs, but Boitz said Pichler’s value goes beyond those statistics.

“He plays in every situation. He’s been on every important penalty kill, every important power play for the last two years,” said Boitz, who coached Pichler during his final two years with the Wasilla-based North American Hockey League franchise.

Boitz said that ability to play in every situation will help him have success at the college level.

“He’s really going to be able to bring that to the table,” Boitz said.

Boitz said Pichler’s puck and stick skills have allowed him to be successful in the NAHL.

“He’s got a great stick. He’s tenacious,” Boitz said. “That’s one thing where he just stands above a lot of guys on our team and in our league. He’s got such a quick stick and he’s so good around the net for sure.”

The Eastern College Athletic Conference East, produced the Division III national champion, Norwich College. Castleton finished fourth in the ECAC East with a 7-9-3 conference mark.

As a high school player, Pichler helped South Anchorage win three straight ASAA/First National Bank 4A state hockey titles. He was named second-team all-state as a senior.

Pichler will be joined by another South Anchorage graduate and former Avalanche player, Braden Kinnebrew, a Castleton. Kinnebrew capped his junior career with the Kenai River Brown Bears after the Avs traded the blueliner midway through the 2009-10 season.

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