Former goalie for Valley Junior A team caps record-breaking Division I career

Arguably the best goalie to emerge from the Mat-Su Valley’s Junior A hockey franchisee recently capped a stellar Division I career at Air Force.

Andrew Volkening, who backstopped the Wasilla Spirit (the squad that became what we now know as the Alaska Avalanche) during the 2005-06 season, broke nearly every goaltending record Air Force has to offer during his four years with the Falcons. According the Air Force athletics website, the Genoa, Ill., native how holds the marks for games in a season (41) and career (124), shutouts in a season (6) and career (14); wins in a season (28) and career (67); goals against average in a season (2.09) and career (2.22); and saves percentage in a season (.920) and career (.914).

Volkening has been named the Air Force team MVP twice. Last season, Volkening stopped 43 shots during an upset win over Michigan in the NCAA regional round of the championship tournament.

This season, Volkening was named to the All-Atlantic second-team recently. Next week, he will participate in the Division I skills competition at the Frozen Four.

Volkening still holds a number of Avalanche/Spirit franchise records. He posted a franchise-record four shutouts in 2005-06, and until this season, Volkening was the only goalie in franchise history to earn a shutout. Volkening also holds the season record for saves percentage (.915).

Volkening is not the only player to head from the Menard to the college level. The following is a list of former players of the Wasilla-based NAHL program now skating on the college level. Years played in Wasilla are in parenthesis.

— Jeremiah Bartz

Division I

Tyler Currier (2008-09): The freshman forward grabbed a goal and two assists in 14 games at UAA.

Dusan Sidor (2007-08): The third-string goalie made one appearance for UAA, stopping 22 of 26 shots during two periods of play.

Jeff Dimmen (2005-07): Junior assistant captain at the University of Maine posted 12-18-30 totals from the Black Bear blueline.

Adam Kraus (2006-07): The junior goalie appeared in two games for Boston University, the defending NCAA Division I champion. He stopped 15 of the 16 shots he faced.

Richard Leitner (2005-07): The American Invertational freshman forward posted 5-8-13 totals in 32 games.

Jason Cohen (2007-09): The freshman defenseman finished with two assists in 16 games for American International.

Reed Rushing (2005-2008): The defenseman recorded two assists in 27 games as a freshman at Bowling Green State Univeristy.

Tyler Elbrecht (2006-07): The freshman defenseman collected five assists ni 38 games for Minnesota State- Mankato.

Brandon Graffunder (2006-07): The junior defenseman appeared in four games for Bentley College.

Division III

Andy Sternberg (2005-06): The senior forward and assistant captain posted 11-10-21 totals for Wisconsin-Stout. UW-Stout finished 10-13-4.

Justin Giles (2008-09): The freshman forward recorded a goal and an assist in 11 games for UW-Stout.

Michael McCurtain (2007-08): The freshman forward and Eagle River native scored a goal in six games for University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. UW-Eau Claire was 8-15-4.

Reed Lally (2005-06): The senior forward capped his career with 2-4-6 totals in 24 games for University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. UW-Stevens Point finished the season 12-15-1.

Kent Detlefsen (2007-08): The sophomore defenseman collected 3-7-10 totals in 14 games for UW-Stevens Point.

Sean McNeely (2008-09): The freshman defenseman collected a pair of assists in 15 games for UW-Stevens Point.

Thomas Erlacher (2008-09): The freshman forward recorded 10-5-15 totals in 22 games for University of Wisconsin-Superior. UW-Superior finished the season 9-11-7.

Tom Engseth (2007-08): The freshman forward was scoreless in 10 games for UW-Superior.

Nate Pellegrino (2006-07, 2008-09): The freshman goalie finished 3-2-0 with a 3.13 goals against average and .907 saves percentage in six appearances with Augsburg, which finished 16-10-1.

KC Kranz (2007-08) The freshman defenseman finished with one assist in 15 games for St. Thomas.

Mike Glaesmer (2005-06): The junior forward logged 3-5-8 totals in 15 games for St. Mary’s, which finished 1-23-1.

Trevor Tolibas (2005-07): The junior forward finished the season with 3-2-5 totals in 17 games for St. Mary’s.

Beau Braun (2008-09): The freshman defenseman posted an assist in 14 games for St. Mary’s.

Tully LaBelle-Hamer (2005-06): The junior defenseman record an assist in 25 games for St. Michael’s.

Joe Harren (2006-07): The forward finished his freshman season at St. John’s with 4-4-8 totals.

JC Richardson (2005-07): The defenseman posted 2-12-14 totals in 26 games as a freshman for Plymouth State.

Tim Niedzielak (2007-08): The freshman defenseman was scoreless in 14 games for Mass-Boston.

Nathan Corey (2007-08): The freshman goalie finished 3-0-0 with three shutouts during four games with Amherst College. Corey stopped 45 of the 46 shots he faced.

Victor Nordenson (2006-07): The junior forward scored a goal in seven games for Manhattanville College.

John Grossi (2006-07): The freshman forward was scoreless in five games for Curry College.