Wasilla product recognized by NAHL

A Wasilla product has been recognized by the North American Hockey League.

Dylan Abbott, a former Wasilla High School standout, garnered a pair of major honors following his second season with the NAHL’s Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Abbott was named the NAHL Midwest Division Defenseman of the Year. Abbot was also named second-team All-NAHL.

Abbott has committed to play college hockey for Division I power Minnesota State-Mankato, which finished the 2019-20 season ranked third in the country with a 31-5-2 record.

Abbott tallied three goals and 24 assists in 50 games during his second season with the Ice Dogs. That is an improvement from his goal and 20 assists during his rookie season. In 105 career games, Abbott finished with four goals and 44 assists. He is also a plus-9 in two seasons in the Junior A league. In 10 playoff games last year, Abbott bagged a half-dozen assists.

Abbott helped the Ice Dogs post a 38-11-1-2 record in 53 games this year before the NAHL canceled the remainder of its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ice Dogs had clinched a playoff spot before the season was suspended.

Earlier this year, Abbott was included on the NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings. The 6-foot defenseman and Minnesota State commit was initially recognized by Central Scouting as a prospect to watch in anticipation of the 2020 NHL Draft in October. Abbott was given a ‘C’ ranking, which means he has the potential of being drafted anywhere from the fourth to sixth round. On the latest list, Abbott was ranked as a potential fifth-round pick.

Abbott skated for Wasilla High School as a freshman before making the leap to higher levels of hockey.

Another former Wasilla standout, Porter Schachle, finished his second season in the NAHL as one of the leading scorers for the Kenai River Brown Bears. Schachle bagged 15 goals and 22 assists in 46 games with the Brown Bears. Schachle was fourth on his team in goals, fifth in assists and sixth with 37 points. He also scored twice on the power play and had two game-winners. Schachle’s totals were a big leap from his three goals and seven assists during his rookie year.

Schachle helped the Brown Bears finish 27-19-3-3.

Schachle has committed to play for Division I UAA.

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