Top prospects

PALMER — Selection to the North American Hockey League Top Prospects tournament looks good on any young hockey player’s resume. But to the four members of the Alaska Avalanche selected to participate in the 2011 version of the NAHL’s showcase festival, it’s about more than just a nomination.

Forwards Blake Huppert and Matt Friese, defeseman Daniel Senkbeil and goaltender Landon Peterson have been selected to participate in the event, which was designed by the league to show off its elite talent to college coaches and scouts.

With this chance, Alaska head coach Brian Huebel said the four players will have an opportunity to catch the eye of college coaches when they hit the ice for the three-day tournament, Feb. 20-22 at the Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, Mich. Huebel said he stresses to his players to make the most of the opportunity.

“You can’t just be satisfied with going out there,” Huebel said. “Yes, it’s an honor. But now you’re going up against guys who are trying to do the same thing you are.”

Huebel said the Avalanche — who currently sit in second place of the NAHL West with a 25-16-1 mark — have a number of players worthy of selection. While it was tough to pull four from the lineup, Huebel said this group most certainly deserved to go. The head coach was also happy that each will head to the event for the first time.

Of the four, two hail from the Mat-Su Valley. Huppert, a former Colony standout, is skating in his second season with the Avalanche. Last year, Huppert collected 13 goals and 21 assists, for 34 points. This year, he’s already hit that 34-point total with 12 goals and 22 assists through 37 games.

“Talk about a guy who’s bought into everything that’s been presented. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the job he’s done,” Huebel said. “He works hard, he’s a great athlete. The biggest thing, he’s very coacheable.”

A big improvement in Huppert’s game is represented with his plus-minus. Last season, Huppert finished with a +5. This year, he has a +21.

“He’s plus-minus is outstanding for a centerman,” Huebel said.

Huebel said that number is indicative of his play on both ends of the ice.

Friese, a Wasilla High graduate in his third year with the program, is also heading to Ann Arbor. After starting the season in the United States Hockey League, Friese has put together 14-12-26 numbers in only 17 games. Huebel said he’s not at all surprised by Friese’s production since his return.

“It’s not eye-popping to me, to be quite honest,” Huebel said. “He stepped in and started contributing right away.”

Friese was among team leaders with 19-24-43 totals, and has 77 points in 117 career games with the Avs.

Senkbeil is another player who came to the Avs from the USHL, and since his arrival the defenseman has a goal and 17 assists in 26 games.

“He’s very crafty with the puck,” Huebel said. “He sees things differently than most defensemen typically see things.”

Senkbeil has also been a regular contributor on special teams with a power-play goal and nine power-play assists. Huebel said Senkbeil is certainly an offensive-minded defenseman, but is also improving on the defensive end.

“He’s gained some confidence with us,” Huebel said. “Once again, you’re dealing with a kid with a great skill set.”

Peterson will head into the event as one of the busiest goalies in the NAHL. Peterson is currently third in the league in wins, saves and minutes. He led the league in two of those three categories — wins and minutes — before the Avs’ recent week off.

Peterson also has very respectable numbers in goals against average (2.73) and saves percentage (.913).

“This is very big for Landon,” Huebel said. “I think all four guys are capable of thriving, but everyone’s looking for a goalie and there’s only eight of them (in the tournament).”

Huebel said Peterson has proved he has the ability to shoulder the load of a top goaltender, something that’s attractive to college coaches and scouts.

“Landon’s been tested, and he’s played very well,” Huebel said. “He definitely has the resume to be a Division I goalie.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.