UAA lures Alaska Avalanche forward

Dec. 1, 2006

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - For the last few weeks, rumors have been swirling in the local hockey community that the University of Alaska Anchorage was set to snatch one of the top prospects on the Alaska Avalanche roster.

It's no longer rumor.

On Thursday, UAA announced Brad McCabe has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Seawolves for the 2007-08 season.

McCabe, a 6-foot, 200-pound center, is one of three players signed by the Seawolves. A pair of Canadians - winger Winstin Daychief of the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the British Columbia Hockey League and defenseman Kane LaFranchise of the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League - are also part of UAA's winter recruiting class.

Despite playing in only 16 games this year, McCabe leads the Avalanche with 11 goals and is 12th in the North American Hockey League in that category. Five of his scores have come on the power play, and he has also posted five assists.

&#8220Brad is a character kid who is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential,” UAA head coach Dave Shyiak said in a press release issued by UAA athletics on Thursday. &#8220Brad can skate, play with speed and also play physical. He will certainly fit in with the style of play we stress.”

Avalanche head coach Keith Morris, a former Seawolf standout himself, said McCabe certainly possesses the characteristics that are needed to succeed in the UAA program and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

&#8220It's a real up-tempo style of hockey in the WCHA,” Morris said. &#8220That's bodes well for any player of that skill set.”

In a move that is obviously big for McCabe, it is arguably as important to the Avalanche franchise. A priority of any junior team is to give athletes the opportunity to play at the next level. For the Avalanche, this is the biggest signing in the two-year history of the local hockey program.

&#8220This is a tremendous opportunity for a young man to step into the WCHA, one of the best leagues in college hockey,” Morris said. &#8220For the Avalanche Junior A team, this is a tremendous signing. We're proud of Brad's accomplishments, and we look, forward to him having a great career at UAA.”

McCabe is the second player in two years to sign with a Division I program. Last season, goaltender Andrew Volkening signed a letter of intent to play for the Air Force Academy in the College Hockey America conference.

McCabe is currently back at home in Gearhart, Ore., rehabilitating from an injury to his mediolateral ligament in his knee. Morris said McCabe's recovery is going well, and he is eager to return to the Avalanche lineup.

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