University of Alaska Fairbanks
Department of Athletics & Campus Recreation
PO Box 757440
Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-7440
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 1997
Contact: Scott Roselius
Sports Information Director
907-474-6805
(Fairbanks) - The University of Alaska Fairbanks Department of Athletics announced today that former Nanook Kirk Patton has been named as an assistant coach for the Nanook staff. He will join head coach Dave Laurion and assistant coach Tavis MacMillan. Patton will replace assistant coach Steve Murphy who, due to his full time employment, youth hockey coaching, and family commitments, could not put in the time required for that position. "Steve did a great job for us," said Laurion. "It is important for the program's growth, though, that we have someone who can put in regular office hours and recruit regularly." In addition to coaching, Patton will also have responsibilities with team administration, recruiting, and arena management.
Patton was a standout defenseman for the Nanooks between 1990-94, and captained the UAF team his senior year. He played the 1995-96 season with the Alaska Gold Kings serving as one of the team's assistant captains. He also played the first part of the 1996-97 season with the Gold Kings before becoming the head coach of the FAHA Midget team last season.
Laurion is excited to have Patton involved with the program, especially in the area of defenseman coaching. "Kirk was a very solid college defenseman for the Nanooks and should add a lot of expertise to our defensive corps. He will be able to give our defensemen insight into what it takes to be a good college hockey defenseman. When he played Kirk possessed not only good fundamental skills, but he also understood the game, and he was a fierce competitor. This combination of attributes will make Kirk a good coach and a valuable part of our program."
"I am very excited about being involved with the UAF program again and am looking forward to coaching at the college level," says Patton.
The Nanooks open the 1997-98 season against Canadian college power, the University of Alberta, Oct. 11 at the Carlson Center. Alberta returns most of their team intact from a 1996-97 team that won road contests against WCHA members St. Cloud State and eventual National Champion North Dakota.
Phone: (907) 474-7205
Fax: (907) 474-5162
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