Valley players help Alaska team win Michigan hockey tournament

WASILLA — One unique opportunity for a pair of local skaters has led to a chance most hockey players merely dream of.

Tristan Avoletta and Dylan Abbott, both Wasilla Middle School students, helped the Alaska Selects Peewee AAA squad win the Little Caesars Hockey Town Challenge in Detroit earlier this month. With the tournament title, Avoletta, Abbott and their 13 teammates earned the chance to return to Detroit in December to skate against the Little Caesars AAA club on the outdoor ice at Comerica Park (the home of the Detroit Tigers) as part of the annual Winter Classic festivities. The Winter Classic culminates with a match between the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs.

“Honestly, it was a great honor, just a huge honor to play (in the tournament),” Avoletta said.

Avoletta scored the game-winning goal for the Alaska Selects during a 3-1 victory over nationally-ranked Little Caesars in the tournament’s championship game. Avoletta, a forward in the Junior Avalanche program, knocked in a rebound goal to give his team the 2-0 lead. The Alaska Selects sealed the win with a empty-netter late in the game.

“My friend took a shot and I got the rebound,” Avoletta said. “It was pretty awesome.”

The Alaska Selects began their tournament by winning their division in the preliminary round, and advanced to the semifinals with a No. 2 seed. Alaska beat the Saginaw (Mich.) Junior Spirit 3-1 in the semifinals.

Alaska played a number of nationally-ranked teams during the tournament, including the Cleveland Barons and Orchard Lake United, the No.2-ranked team in Michigan. Alaska skated to ties against both programs.

The Alaska Selects also be teams from Michigan and Toronto during round-robin action.

The Alaska Selects are now ranked 19th in the nation.

Billy Avoletta, a Junior Avalanche coach and Alaska Selects assistant coach, said this is the second trip to the Lower 48 that the team has made.

“We expected them to do well, but not this well,” Avoletta said. “These were nationally-ranked teams. It was unbelievable.”

Avoletta said Abbott, a member of the Mat-Su Eagles, had an excellent tournament as a defenseman for the team, and finished with a number of assists. Avoletta, 12, and Abbott, 11, were the only two Valley skaters on the 15-player team, which also features athletes from Anchorage, Fairbanks, Eagle River and Soldotna.

Billy Avoletta said the team is currently in search of financial sponsors to help fund the Valley players’ chance to return to Detroit to play in the Winter Classic Festival.

Those interested in contributing can contact Avoletta at 982-3647.