Wasilla senior forward recognized by North Star Conference

WASILLA — When Luke Schruf was a freshman with the Wasilla High School hockey program, there were about 13 players in his class. But throughout his prep career, his class continued to shrink, with a number of his teammates taking advantage of higher levels of hockey.

Schruf is now one of five seniors on the Wasilla roster, and one of three with Wasilla varsity experience prior to the 2014-15 season. Schruf was a valued role player in the past, but his place on the team changed this year. Schruf was named team captain prior to the season, and helped a inexperienced Wasilla squad finish 7-2-1 during regular season conference play, notch the top seed in the North Star Conference tournament and earn a bid to the 4A state tournament. Schruf’s work as a leader, and his team-high 41 points, have netted him top honors in the conference.

The Wasilla forward was named the North Star Conference Player of the Year.

“He’s had a good season for us. He did a great job for us leading this team. He never was the guy we always called on, but he stepped up and has been doing great,” Wasilla head coach Trent Schachle said of Schruf. “He works hard on and off the ice. He’s a good leader off the ice, just as well as on the ice.”

In addition to his leadership skills, Schruf became on of the most consistent scorers in the conference. In 23 total games this season, 21 in the regular season and two in the NSC tournament, Schruf collected 20 goals, 21 assists and 20 points. His 20 goals and 41 points lead his team. He also scored three times on the power play, once shorthanded, and bagged four game-winners.

“That’s why he’s the player of the year for the conference,” Schachle said. “He’s worked hard all year. He’s our captain. He puts the puck in the net.”

Schachle said Schruf can also hurt teams in a variety of ways, and has evolved as a scorer during his prep career.

“He’s always been a really smart playmaker. His role in the past was always moving the puck,” Schachle said. “He’s still moving the puck well, but he’s finishing.”

Schachle said Schruf, a 6-foot-3 forward, can also hurt teams in a variety of ways.

“He can shoot the puck. He’s fast. He plays with some grit,” Schruf said.

Schruf has also come up in big games this season, against Wasilla’s Valley rivals in particular. In three games against Colony this season, Schruf collected six goals and two assists. He scored six of Wasilla’s 10 goals scored against Colony. Schruf finished with three goals and two assists in two games against Palmer.

Palmer mentor Eric Troisi was named the conference’s coach of the year, after leading the Moose to a 7-3-0 conference mark.

Schruf was one of seven Valley players to earn first-team honors. Colony, which won the NSC title last Saturday, placed four players on the first team. Forwards Josh Boyer and Jacob Link, and senior defensemen Logan Sanders and Curtis Foster all earned first-team recognition.

Boyer, a sophomore, led all Valley players with 50 points, collecting 22 goals and 28 assists in 25 games. Link, a senior, supplied a team-high 24 goals, 21 assists and 45 points.

Sanders was fourth on his team with 7-15-22 totals, while Foster finished with 5-10-15 totals.

Palmer placed a pair of players, forward Darren Fish and defenseman Josh Myers, on the first-team list. Fish led the Moose in just about every offensive statistical category, finishing with 19 goals, 15 assists and 34 points. Meyers chipped in five goals and eight assists.

North Star Conference awards

Player of the Year: Luke Schruf, Wasilla

Coach of the Year: Eric Troisi, Palmer

First team:

Forward — Josh Boyer, Colony; Jacob Link, Colony; Kiril Sanarov, Homer; Darren Fish, Palmer; Ty Fenton, Soldotna; Luke Schruf, Wasilla; Defense — Logan Sanders, Colony; Curtis Foster, Colony; Josh Meyers, Palmer; Justice Miller, Soldotna; Goaltender — Nate O’Lena, Kenai.

Second team:

Forward — Dalton Dasko, Kenai; Cody Arbelovsky, Kenai; Heidi Perkins, Kenai; Kenny Flanders, Soldotna; Blake Marks, Wasilla; Russell Harren, Wasilla; Garrett Conroy, Wasilla; Defense — Stephen Kempinski, Colony; Anton Kuzmin, Homer; Valery Dietz, Palmer; Nathaniel Savel, Palmer; Noah Richards, Palmer; Tyler Lutz, Wasilla; Layne Morrison, Wasilla; Goaltender — Markin Polushkin, Homer; Cody Grogan, Palmer; Billy Yoder, Soldotna; Kiana Verplancke, Wasilla.

Honorable mention:

Forward — Isaac Vincent, Colony; Clem Tillion, Homer; Chris Dojka, Palmer; Matthew Bembenek, Palmer; Reagan Rice, Palmer; Coel Nelson, Soldotna; Levi Hensley, Soldonta; Braden Brunnhoelzl, Wasilla; Larsen Tubbs, Wasilla; Defense — Dawson Roberts, Homer; Goaltender — Joey Diltz, Colony;