# 2023–24 Alaska Anchorage Seawolves men's ice hockey season

The 2023–24 Alaska Anchorage Seawolves men's ice hockey season was the 43rd season of play for the program and the 38th at the Division I level. The Seawolves represented the University of Alaska Anchorage, played their home games at the Avis Alaska Sports Complex and were coached by Matt Shasby in his 2nd season.

## Season

Returning with largely the same lineup as the year before, Alaska Anchorage got off to a decent start and were able to play even hockey over the first month of the season. The Seawolves ended with a win over a ranked Penn State squad as well as a vast improvement in play from all quarters. In their first three losses, the team fell by just a single goal which helped lift the team into the middle of the national rankings. Unfortunately, UAA was unable to sustain that level of play and the team suffered through a raft of poor goaltending and uninspired offense in the middle of the season. During that stretch the team won just 2 out of 12 games but, thanks to a 41-save performance from Jared Whale, the Seawolves managed to take down one of the best teams in the country, Wisconsin.
When Anchorage began the second half its season after Christmas, the team had no real chance of making the postseason, however, they still had something to play for. The Seawolves began with a tie against Alaska, ending a 12-game losing streak to their long-time rival. The following week the team travelled to Rhode Island and earned a split with #9 Providence. The surprising victory kicked off a long stretch of winning hockey that saw the team play far better on both sides of the puck. The Seawolves finished out the year with a split against Arizona State, earning their fourth win over a ranked opponent on the season. Anchorage ended the year just shy of a .500 record but team had improved by leaps and bounds.

## Departures

| Player | Position | Nationality | Cause |
| Jamie Collins | Forward | Canada | Graduation (signed with Comètes de Meudon) |
| Jimmy Darby | Defenseman | Canada | Transferred to Simon Frazer |
| Dorian Dawson | Defenseman | Canada | Graduation (retired) |
| Derek Hamelin | Defenseman | Canada | Graduation (signed with Remparts de Tours) |
| Caleb Hite | Forward | United States | Graduation (retired) |
| Nolan Kent | Goaltender | Canada | Graduation (signed with Coventry Blaze) |

## Recruiting

| Player | Position | Nationality | Age | Notes |
| Ben Anderson | Forward | United States | 21 | Crystal, MN |
| Mitch LaFay | Forward | Canada | 21 | Stratford, ON |
| Karter McNarland | Forward | Canada | 20 | Saskatoon, SK |
| Greg Orosz | Goaltender | Hungary | 21 | Győr, HUN |
| Porter Schachle | Forward | United States | 22 | Wasilla, AK; transfer from Vermont |
| Riley Thompson | Forward | Canada | 21 | Orleans, ON |
| Gunnar VanDamme | Defenseman | United States | 20 | Pittsford, NY |
| Aiden Westin | Forward | United States | 21 | Anchorage, AK |

## Roster

As of September 20, 2023.

## Standings

2023–24 NCAA Division I Independent ice hockey standingsvte :
| | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record |
| | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA |
| Alaska | 34 | 17 | 14 | 3 | 110 | 86 |
| Alaska Anchorage | 34 | 15 | 17 | 2 | 95 | 105 |
| Arizona State | 38 | 24 | 8 | 6 | 129 | 94 |
| Lindenwood | 28 | 6 | 18 | 4 | 74 | 121 |
| Long Island | 37 | 16 | 20 | 1 | 115 | 103 |
| Stonehill | 36 | 2 | 34 | 0 | 62 | 213 |
| Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll ||||||||

## Schedule and results

| Date | Time | Opponent$^#$ | Site | TV | Decision | Result | Attendance | Record |
| Exhibition ||||||||||
| September 29 | 7:07 pm | Vancouver Island* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska (Exhibition) | | Whale | W 7–2 | | |
| Regular Season ||||||||||
| October 7 | 4:07 pm | Massachusetts Lowell* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska | | Whale | W 3–2 $^{OT}$ | 750 | 1–0–0 |
| October 8 | 4:07 pm | Massachusetts Lowell* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska | | Whale | L 1–2 | 650 | 1–1–0 |
| October 13 | 3:07 pm | at Lake Superior State* | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Lamoreaux | L 1–5 | 1,429 | 1–2–0 |
| October 14 | 2:07 pm | at Lake Superior State* | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | FloHockey | Whale | W 3–2 | 1,589 | 2–2–0 |
| October 20 | 7:07 pm | Air Force* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska | | Whale | W 3–1 | 874 | 3–2–0 |
| October 21 | 6:07 pm | Air Force* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska | | Whale | L 3–4 | 715 | 3–3–0 |
| October 26 | 3:00 pm | at #15 Penn State* | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | | Whale | L 1–2 | 6,127 | 3–4–0 |
| October 27 | 3:00 pm | at #15 Penn State* | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | | Orosz | W 6–5 | 6,365 | 4–4–0 |
| November 3 | 7:07 pm | at Alaska* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | FloHockey | Whale | L 1–6 | 3,112 | 4–5–0 |
| November 4 | 7:07 pm | at Alaska* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | FloHockey | Lamoreaux | L 4–5 | 4,086 | 4–6–0 |
| November 10 | 7:07 pm | Robert Morris* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska | | Whale | W 3–2 | 700 | 5–6–0 |
| November 11 | 6:07 pm | Robert Morris* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska | | Whale | T 2–2 $^{OT}$ | 506 | 5–6–1 |
| November 17 | 5:00 pm | at #14 Arizona State* | Mullett Arena • Tempe, Arizona | | Whale | L 3–4 | 4,774 | 5–7–1 |
| November 19 | 11:00 am | at #14 Arizona State* | Mullett Arena • Tempe, Arizona | | Orosz | L 0–3 | 4,632 | 5–8–1 |
| November 24 | 4:00 pm | at #6 Wisconsin* | Kohl Center • Madison, Wisconsin | BTN+ | Whale | W 1–0 | 8,496 | 6–8–1 |
| November 25 | 3:00 pm | at #6 Wisconsin* | Kohl Center • Madison, Wisconsin | BTN+ | Lamoreaux | L 0–5 | 8,755 | 6–9–1 |
| December 1 | 7:07 pm | Alaska* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | | Whale | L 0–5 | 951 | 6–10–1 |
| December 2 | 6:07 pm | Alaska* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | | Whale | L 1–3 | 966 | 6–11–1 |
| December 8 | 3:00 pm | at #11 Massachusetts* | Mullins Center • Amherst, Massachusetts | ESPN+ | Whale | L 2–11 | 4,410 | 6–12–1 |
| December 9 | 3:00 pm | at #11 Massachusetts* | Mullins Center • Amherst, Massachusetts | ESPN+ | Whale | L 2–3 | 3,685 | 6–13–1 |
| January 13 | 7:07 pm | at Alaska* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | FloHockey | Orosz | T 2–2 $^{OT}$ | 3,013 | 6–13–2 |
| January 19 | 3:00 pm | at #9 Providence* | Schneider Arena • Providence, Rhode Island | ESPN+ | Whale | L 0–2 | 2,365 | 6–14–2 |
| January 20 | 3:00 pm | at #9 Providence* | Schneider Arena • Providence, Rhode Island | ESPN+ | Whale | W 4–0 | 2,415 | 7–14–2 |
| February 3 | 5:07 pm | Alaska* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | | Whale | W 4–2 | 712 | 8–14–2 |
| February 10 | 6:07 pm | Long Island* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska | | Whale | L 1–2 | 800 | 8–15–2 |
| February 11 | 5:07 pm | Long Island* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska | | Orosz | W 3–1 | 562 | 9–15–2 |
| February 16 | 4:10 pm | at Lindenwood* | Centene Community Ice Center • St. Charles, Missouri | | Whale | W 5–3 | 919 | 10–15–2 |
| February 17 | 3:00 pm | at Lindenwood* | Centene Community Ice Center • St. Charles, Missouri | | Orosz | W 3–0 | 1,012 | 11–15–2 |
| February 23 | 4:07 pm | at Augustana* | Midco Arena • Sioux Falls, South Dakota | FloHockey, Midco | Lamoreaux | W 6–5 | 2,371 | 12–15–2 |
| February 24 | 3:07 pm | at Augustana* | Midco Arena • Sioux Falls, South Dakota | FloHockey, Midco | Whale | L 0–3 | 2,718 | 12–16–2 |
| March 1 | 7:07 pm | Stonehill* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska | | Whale | W 9–3 | 680 | 13–16–2 |
| March 2 | 3:07 pm | Stonehill* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska | | Lamoreaux | W 12–2 | 580 | 14–16–2 |
| March 8 | 7:07 pm | #20 Arizona State* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska | | Whale | W 4–3 | 870 | 15–16–2 |
| March 9 | 5:07 pm | #20 Arizona State* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska | | Lamoreaux | L 2–5 | 909 | 15–17–2 |
| *Non-conference game. $^#$Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Alaska Time. Source: ||||||||||

## Scoring statistics

| Name | Position | Games | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM |
| Ben Almquist | F | 34 | 14 | 16 | 30 | 14 |
| Maximilion Helgeson | F | 33 | 14 | 13 | 27 | 31 |
| Riley Thompson | F | 34 | 9 | 15 | 24 | 32 |
| Porter Schachle | F | 32 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 41 |
| Aiden Westin | F | 29 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 17 |
| William Gilson | D | 34 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 67 |
| Connor Marritt | F | 33 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 7 |
| Adam Tisdale | F | 34 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 4 |
| Matt Allen | F | 30 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 4 |
| Brett Bamber | D | 34 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 17 |
| Gunnar VanDamme | D | 34 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 29 |
| Matt Johnson | F | 14 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 2 |
| Karter McNarland | F | 16 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Carson Kosobud | D | 33 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 33 |
| Jarred White | LW | 24 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| Matt Kinash | D | 18 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| Alex Gomez | C/W | 23 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Brandon Lajoie | LW | 7 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Conor Cole | C | 20 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 14 |
| Davis Goukler | D | 24 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Joey Lamoreaux | G | 9 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Dylan Finlay | D | 23 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Rowan Miller | F | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Carter Belitski | D | 14 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Max Osborne | D | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Caleb Huffman | D | 30 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 57 |
| Ben Anderson | G | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 14 |
| Jared Whale | G | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Greg Orosz | D | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mitch Lafay | D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | | | 95 | 156 | 251 | 437 |

## Goaltending statistics

| Name | Games | Minutes | Wins | Losses | Ties | Goals Against | Saves | Shut Outs | SV % | GAA |
| Jared Whale | 27 | 1346:05 | 10 | 12 | 1 | 60 | 600 | 2 | .909 | 2.67 |
| Greg Orosz | 12 | 392:11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 195 | 1 | .915 | 2.75 |
| Joey Lamoreaux | 13 | 299:38 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 23 | 124 | 0 | .844 | 4.61 |
| Empty Net | - | 21:45 | - | - | - | 4 | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 34 | 2059:39 | 15 | 17 | 2 | 105 | 919 | 3 | .897 | 3.06 |

## Rankings

| Poll | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 (Final) |
| USCHO.com | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | – | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | – | NR |
| USA Hockey | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | – | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Note: USCHO did not release a poll in weeks 11 and 25. Note: USA Hockey did not release a poll in week 12.