University of Alaska Fairbanks
Department of Athletics & Campus Recreation
PO Box 757440
Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-7440
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 1997
Contact: Scott Roselius
Sports Information Director
907-474-6805
(Fairbanks) - The University of Alaska Fairbanks Department of Athletics announces today that five more student athletes will attend UAF and become members of the Nanook hockey team for the 1997-98 school year. Mike Barren (Surrey, BC), a 5-11, 195 lb. wing, Scott McIlroy (Eagle River, AK), a 6-0, 195 lb. wing, and Russ Vogel (Anchorage, AK), a 6-1, 205 lb. defenseman will walk-on this fall. Also joining the team will be two transfers from the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves, Justin Lyle (Anchorage, AK), a 6-3, 215 lb. right wing and Nathan Rocheleau (Anchorage, AK), a 6-0, 195 lb. left wing will attend UAF this fall but redshirt with the Nanooks. They will both be eligible to compete during the 1998-99 season.
Barren was a standout performer for the Penticton Panthers in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League last season. "Mike is an exceptional skater with good offensive skills," says UAF Assistant Hockey Coach Tavis MacMillan. "He also is a very hard working, dedicated athlete. Although he shoots left handed, Mike can play all three forward positions. We expect Mike to be a player who will compete for a spot in our lineup every night."
McIlroy was a standout forward for the Cleveland Barons in the North American Junior Hockey League. Prior to that he spent a season and a half with the Rochester Mustangs in the US Junior Hockey League, before a mid-season trade to Cleveland. In only 21 games for the Barons, he scored 15 goals--a pace which over the course of a full season would have placed him among the league leaders. "Scott is a good sized right winger who emerged as one of Cleveland's better offensive players. As with Mike Barren, Scott has a good opportunity to make our game night lineup," says MacMillan.
Vogel played prep school hockey this past year for Culver Military Academy in Indianapolis, IN. "Russ is a good sized defenseman who should add more depth to our blueline," added Macmillan. "Although we did not get to see him play this past year, we do know that he had an outstanding high school hockey career in Anchorage."
MacMillan is also excited about his two transfer recruits. Lyle played the 1995-196 season with UAA before leaving school and sitting out from hockey last season. "Justin is a big, strong forward who will be a real asses for our program." Lyle's sister Jamie is a member of the UAF volleyball team. Rocheleau spent a season and a half with the Seawolves before leaving UAA last Christmas to join the Omaha Lancers in the USHL. "Nathan is a solid winger who plays the body and shoots the puck very well. He and Justin will be solid additions to the hockey program in '98."
UAF Coach Dave Laurion is pleased with MacMillan's recruiting efforts. "It was important for us to recruit some quality walk-on players for this year. We believe that we have accomplished that goal with the addition of these five players. Along with our seven other recruits, we are very excited about this season's class.
Phone: (907) 474-7205
Fax: (907) 474-5162
[UAF Nanooks Ice Hockey Press Releases]
[UAF Nanooks Ice Hockey Home Page]