Avs make Stout roster more sturdy

WASILLA — Thanks to the Alaska Avalanche, a Stout roster has become even more sturdy.

Three former Avalanche players — forwards Jed McGlasson and Logan Rounds, and defenseman Logan Maly — recently committed to play for the University of Wisconsin-Stout, a Division III program in Menomonie, Wisc.

“It’s a real good fit for each of them,” Alaska general manager Dave Boitz said recently.

Boitz expects each player to contribute early for a Blue Devils squad, which finished 10-13-4 overall and 6-8-4 in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association last year.

McGlasson, a Kenai Central High School product, spent the final half of the 2009-10 campaign with the Avs after a midseason trade with the Kenai River Brown Bears sent him to Wasilla. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound forward posted six goals and nine assists for 15 points in 31 games. McGlasson was also a +3 with a pair of shorthanded tallies. Boitz said McGlasson’s skill, speed and overall athleticism could allow him to flourish in the NCHA.

“I think he can be a stud in that league,” Boitz said. “He does so many things so well. His skating is so dynamic. I think he really brings a lot to the table.”

McGlasson put together 20-41-61 totals in 83 games with the Brown Bears. He also had six power-play goals and 12 power-play assists during his time with Kenai River.

McGlasson signed with Kenai River after graduating from Kenai Central High School. McGlasson was a standout for the Kardinals hockey team and a state champion in the 300-meter hurdles for the Kenai track and field team in 2007.

While McGlasson spent just a half-season with the Avs, Maly and Rounds were both regulars in the Avalanche lineup for two seasons, each appearing in more than 100 regular-season games.

Boitz said Maly, a rugged 5-foot-9 defenseman who captained the Avalanche last season, will certainly find his place with the Blue Devils.

“He’s just so tough,” Boitz said of Maly, a native of Rio, Wisc. “I think he’ll play right away.”

Maly posted 5-13-18 totals in 57 games last year. He had eight (2-6-8) special teams points and 107 penalty minutes.

Maly has 7-15-22 totals in 103 career games with the Avs.

Boitz said he feels Rounds has the potential of being a top-line player during his college career. The former Service High School standout has the size, at 6-2 and 195.

“He’s got the big shot and he’s smart with the puck,” Boitz said.

Rounds recorded 12-17-29 totals in 51 games last season. Three of his goals came shorthanded.

He collected 21 points (12-9-21) in 51 games as a first-year player.

McGlasson, Maly and Rounds will join former Avalanche forward Justin Giles on the Stout roster. Giles recorded a goal and an assist during 10 games as a freshman.

Giles and Rounds often played on the same line during the 2008-09 North American Hockey League season.

The trio are among six former Avalanche players to commit to NCAA programs this year.

Blueliner Jake Parenteau will play at the University of Minnesota next year. Forward Kyle Pichler will play for Castleton College in Castleton, Vt. Former Avalanche and Brown Bears defenseman Braden Kinnebrew will make the trip to Castleton with Pichler. The pair were teammates at South Anchorage High School.

The seventh member of the Avs’ class of 2010, Robb Haider, is also expected to play college hockey next year.

Nearly 30 former members of the 5-year-old Avalanche franchise skated for either NCAA Division I or Division III programs last season.

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