Tag: Alaska

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From the Ice to the Bench – A Coach’s Evolution With Matt Curley (Ep.22)

From the Ice to the Bench – A Coach’s Evolution With Matt Curley (Ep.22)

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What unique paths lead a dedicated coach from small-town rinks to an internationally acclaimed hockey career?

Find out with us as we explore Matt Curley’s inspiring journey from Northern New York to coaching excellence, embodying the spirit of UAA Seawolf Hockey!

David Vallieres chats with Matt Curley, an alumnus turned exceptional coach, about his diverse coaching roles. Discover how his stints in the US National Team Development Program, Europe, and his heartfelt time at UAA define his approach. 

Other discussions in the episode include:

  • Matt Curley’s early fascination with hockey and his unique path to coaching.
  • The impact of working with national-level talent at the US National Team Development Program
  • The joys and challenges of leading the UAA Seawolf Hockey team
  • Life and career lessons from coaching in Europe and the USHL

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Connect with Matt Curley:

About Matt Curley: 

Matt Curley was named the sixth head hockey coach at the University of Alaska Anchorage on April 21, 2018. In addition to his coaching duties at UAA, Curley is heavily involved with USA Hockey. He led Team USA U-17’s to a runner-up finish at the Five Nations Cup in Germany in 2019. 

Curley comes to UAA with a diverse coaching background, including stints with the USA National Development Program, USHL, NCAA, and most recently in the European ranks.

Curley has served as the head coach of the EC Red Bulls Juniors team based out of Salzburg, Austria, for the past three seasons. The team is comprised of international players under the age of 20 and competes in the Alps Hockey League. EC Red Bulls is one of two development teams, with the rest being professional, in the AHL which is comprised of 17 teams from Austria, Italy and Slovenia. EC Red Bulls finished seventh in the league with a 23-17 mark and a birth in the playoffs in 2017-18. The team posted a 6-6 mark competing in a tournament with other Finish Under-20 teams.

Numerous EC Red Bulls have represented their national teams at both the junior and senior levels and at the professional level. Curley was instrumental in the development of goalie Woulter Peeters, who was a 2016 third-round NHL draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks and is currently playing in the USHL. Several other players have continued their playing careers at the NCAA and USHL ranks.

Curley started his coaching career with a two-year stint (2010-12) as an assistant coach with the US National Team Development Program working under Don Granato, who is currently an assistant coach with the Chicago Blackhawks.

He helped Team USA to a gold medal at the 2011 Under-18 World Championships in Crimmitschau, Germany, and a silver medal at the 2012 Under-17 World Championships in Windsor, Canada. Curley added two more medals at the international level with Team USA, winning silver at the 2013 Under-18 World Championships in Sochi, Russia, and a gold at the 2015 Under-18 World Championships in Zug, Switzerland. The USA National Development posted a mark of 56-54-3 in the United States Hockey League while Curley was an assistant coach.

Curley was also an assistant coach for two seasons (2013-15) at Bentley University, where the Falcons posted a 36-29-9 record during Curley’s time in Waltham, Mass.

Curley spent one year (2012-13) as an assistant coach with the Indiana Ice of the USHL, helping them to a 21-37-1 mark before moving on to Bentley.

Curley, a native of Madrid, New York, was a four-year letterwinner as a defenseman at Clarkson, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history/law and business administration. As a senior, he served as an assistant captain and led the Golden Knights to an ECAC Tournament Championship and an NCAA Tournament Appearance.

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A Hockey-Filled Life From College to Coaching With Keith Morris (Ep.21)

A Hockey-Filled Life From College to Coaching With Keith Morris (Ep.21)

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A sporting community can impact lives decades after the final whistle. 

Today’s episode dives into this phenomenon and highlights the lifelong bonds formed through UAA Seawolves Hockey and the initiatives keeping this legacy vibrant.

David Vallieres reconnects with Keith Morris, a distinguished UAA Seawolves Hockey alumnus. Keith shares stories from his playing days, details his professional journey, and talks about his current work with the Anchorage Wolverines. Together, they highlight the Seawolf 4Life Foundation’s mission to enrich alumni relationships through community, connections, and contributions.

Top discussion points include:

  • The impactful recruiting process and his journey to UAA
  • The camaraderie and memorable experiences from Keith’s time with UAA Seawolves
  • Insights into Keith’s professional hockey career and transition into coaching
  • The current state and plans for the Anchorage Wolverines under Keith’s leadership
  • And more

Resources:

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About Keith Morris:

Keith Morris, who has been living in Columbus, Ohio, has been a scout for the Omaha Lancers of the United States Junior Hockey League for the last two seasons. He served as head coach of the Columbus Crush Junior “B” Team from 1998-2000 and was head coach of St. Charles Preparatory from 1997-2000. Morris has also worked at the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) developmental camp as a power skating evaluator and at the Canadian Professional Hockey School as director of on-ice development.

Morris had a stellar career at UAA from 1990-94, scoring 134 points (ninth all-time) and 61 career goals (ninth all-time). Morris played on all three of UAA’s NCAA Tournament qualifying teams including the 1991-92 squad which finished with a program-best record of 27-8-1. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native played for the Canadian National Team in 1992-93, tallying 8-17–25 totals in 53 games before returning to UAA to captain the Seawolves his senior season.

Drafted by the Winnipeg Jets, Morris played professionally from 1994-97 with stints with the Peoria Riverman of the International Hockey League, Columbus Chill (East Coast Hockey League), Detroit Vipers (IHL), and Manitoba Moose (IHL).

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Building Character And Skill Into Future Stars With Dallas Steward (Ep.20)

Building Character And Skill Into Future Stars With Dallas Steward (Ep.20)

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Lace up and join host David Vallieres as he interviews Dallas Steward, a pivotal coaching figure at North Star Christian Academy. 

Dallas shares heartfelt insights into his hockey career, the pivotal moments that directed him towards coaching, and how he’s shaping the ethos of young athletes beyond the rink. 

Discussion points include:

  • How Dallas Steward’s early love for hockey paved the way for a career filled with both challenges and accomplishments
  • Why transitioning from professional play to coaching unveiled a love for developing players not just on the ice, but in life
  • How North Star Christian Academy blends Steward’s passion for hockey with his commitment to integrity and character development
  • Reflecting on the profound influence of the hockey community and the lasting impact of mentorship and leadership in sports
  • And more

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About our Dallas Steward: 

Dallas Steward enters his fourth season as an assistant coach at Michigan Tech in 2020-21.

During his first season, Steward and the Huskies went to the NCAA Tournament after winning the WCHA Championship Game. Tech finished 22-17-5 overall and was ranked No. 16 in the final USCHO poll. Four players have signed NHL contracts in his two seasons at Michigan Tech.

Steward was an Associate Head Coach with the Chicago Steel of the USHL for two seasons from 2015-17. The 2016-17 team went 38-17-2 in the regular season, defeated Youngstown and Dubuque in the first two rounds of the playoffs, and won the USHL Championship with an overtime win over Sioux City in Game 5 of the Clark Cup.

Steward started his coaching career with the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) as an assistant coach and scouting director from 2011-15. He helped lead the team to three consecutive playoff berths and a Clark Cup title in 2014-15.

Steward played 138 games over four years at the University of Alaska Anchorage from 2000-04. He scored 27 goals and added 32 assists as a forward, was an assistant captain as a senior, and was a three-time WCHA All-Academic selection. Steward went on to play six years of professional hockey in both the CHL and ECHL from 2004-10.

Prior to college, Steward played three seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers, winning the Clark Cup in 2000. He amassed a total of 74 points over three seasons with the Gamblers, including 18 goals and 27 assists in their championship season.

The Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin native has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public communication from UAA. He and his wife Janet have two daughters, Jade and Blake.

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Legendary Tales and Lessons from the Rink with Lorne Knauft (Ep.19)

Legendary Tales and Lessons from the Rink with Lorne Knauft (Ep.19)

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Our guest’s journey in hockey discussed his success from UAA to the NHL. Hear about epic games, unforgettable moments, and the true camaraderie of the sport.

David Vallieres welcomes guest Lorne Knauft, a former UAA hockey player, for an engaging and nostalgic conversation about their shared experiences in the world of hockey. Lorne shares memories from his time at UA, reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of playing college hockey and the impactful relationships formed with teammates and coaches.

The episode delves into Lorne’s journey from growing up in Canada dreaming of playing hockey to receiving a scholarship for UAA, where he honed his skills and embraced the camaraderie of being part of a team. 

Episode discussion points include:

  • Lorne’s background, upbringing in hockey, and how his dream of playing at UAA was realized through a scholarship offer after a game in Selkirk, Manitoba
  • Significant moments during his time at UAA, including the thrilling upset victory over the number one team in the tournament
  • Lorne’s experience with the camaraderie and brotherhood among hockey teammates
  • Brush Christensen’s bag skate incident
  • And more

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The Most Exciting Off-Season Yet With Coach Matt Shasby (Ep. 18)

The Most Exciting Off-Season Yet With Coach Matt Shasby (Ep. 18)

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Coach Shasby is back on the show after a break, and is ready to discuss some of the challenges of dialing in new players with the help of momentum from the previous year.

In this episode, David Vallieres and guest Coach Shasby discuss the challenges and successes of the recent hockey season. They talk about the team’s off-season, the addition of new players, and the positive energy from returning players. 

Coach Shasby highlights the team’s performance in recent games, their current record, and their upcoming schedule. He also mentions an alumni event at Talking Stick Resort and encourages listeners to attend.

David and Coach Shasby discuss: 

  • The process of building a strong team in the new season with the addition of 8 freshmen
  • The excitement of discovering local talent 
  • The upcoming exhibition game against Vancouver Island and what the team expects in this brand-new season
  • Insights about the team’s recent performance and games
  • And more

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Hockey’s Lessons in Dedication and Resilience with John Hill – Part 2 (Ep.17)

Hockey’s Lessons in Dedication and Resilience with John Hill – Part 2 (Ep.17)

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How does commitment and support from university administrators impact the success of sports teams?

This week, our returning guest, John Hill, is here to tell us.

In this part-two episode, the hosts welcome back John Hill to reflect on the team’s journey to the final five weekend and shares a funny incident with the team. He discusses the challenges they faced during their bus ride to the twin cities. 

Coach Hill also talks about his decision to leave his position as the athletic director and the impact it had on the hockey program. Coach Hill also shares insights into being an NHL hockey scout and the challenges involved. 

John discusses: 

  • His team’s journey to the final five weekend & some of its most emotional moments
  • His decision to leave his position as the athletic director & the impact this will have on the program
  • The challenges of being a modern day NHL Hockey scout
  • And more

Resources:

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About John Hill: 

John Hill is a former NHL player and coach. He started his coaching career as an assistant coach for the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) in 1987. He then became the head coach of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, a junior hockey team, in 1989. He returned to UAA as an assistant coach in 1993 and stayed there until 1995. He then joined Colorado College as an assistant coach for four seasons, followed by two seasons as an assistant coach for the University of Minnesota. In 2001, he became the head coach of UAA again and led the team for four seasons. His best season was in 2003-04, when he guided the Seawolves to the WCHA Final Five and a third-place game appearance. He resigned from UAA in 2005 and rejoined Minnesota as an assistant coach until 2011. He retired from coaching after that season.

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Hockey’s Lessons in Dedication and Resilience with John Hill – Part 1 (Ep. 16)

Hockey’s Lessons in Dedication and Resilience with John Hill – Part 1 (Ep. 16)

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Stories of dedication and the transformative power of coaching often take center stage in hockey. 

Today, we will hear one of those stories!

In this first part conversation, David sits down with John Hill, former NHL player and coach, to chat about his incredible journey through the world of hockey. John shares his experiences as a player and coach, offering valuable life lessons along the way. They dive into the coaching experiences of John and the power of dedication and resilience in the face of adversity.

David and John discuss: 

  • John’s love for coaching and the relationships he formed with players
  • John’s early days in hockey, growing up in Alaska, and his late start in the sport
  • How John got recruited to play for the hockey program at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
  • John’s memorable stories from his playing days
  • How John got into coaching and his initial experience coaching in Dubuque
  • John’s time coaching at UAA, the challenges faced, personal struggles, and regrets
  • John’s experience at Colorado College, the success of the team, personal growth, and the conflicting emotions of leaving behind a program he loved
  • The dilemma he faced as a coach when his philosophy didn’t align with the players he had recruited
  • And more!

 

Connect with David: 

About John Hill: 

John Hill is a former NHL player and coach. He started his coaching career as an assistant coach for the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) in 1987. He then became the head coach of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, a junior hockey team, in 1989. He returned to UAA as an assistant coach in 1993 and stayed there until 1995. He then joined Colorado College as an assistant coach for four seasons, followed by two seasons as an assistant coach for the University of Minnesota. In 2001, he became the head coach of UAA again and led the team for four seasons. His best season was in 2003-04, when he guided the Seawolves to the WCHA Final Five and a third-place game appearance. He resigned from UAA in 2005 and rejoined Minnesota as an assistant coach until 2011. He retired from coaching after that season.

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Podcasting and Building Connections (Ep. 15)

Podcasting and Building Connections (Ep. 15)

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Building meaningful connections and making financial advice accessible are pivotal aspects of personal and professional growth.

To achieve this, it’s necessary to implement an innovative approach, like through podcasts.

Today, we speak with someone who knows this world perfectly and his journey!

In this episode David chats with Matt Halloran, Co-Founder and Chief Relationship Officer at ProudMouth. Matt shares the inspiring journey of ProudMouth, a company that aims to make financial advice accessible to everyone through podcasting. They emphasize the power of shared experiences and the value of maintaining relationships throughout life. 

Matt discusses: 

  • His personal and professional background, including the formation of ProudMouth and its purpose in creating podcasts for experts
  • How ProudMouth has created a system that allows the general public to access financial advice 
  • The importance of mentorship in personal and professional growth and how ProuthMouth has implemented a mentorship model within their company
  • The power of shared experiences 
  • The importance of maintaining  relationships from the past
  • And more!

 

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Connect with Matt Halloran:

 

About our guest: 

A former business and life coach to top advisors, Matt has helped 5,000+ advisors understand how to create trust and build rapport with prospects they haven’t even met yet. 

He has studied the way people communicate for over 20 years, has been featured in The Wall Street Journal as a digital communication expert, and wrote “The Social Media Handbook for Financial Advisors” –– the first social media book dedicated to financial services. He has now combined his extensive knowledge and expertise in business and coaching with one of his passions: podcasting. 

Matt has hosted and been on 1,000+ podcasts. He’s also the host of ProudMouth’s podcast, the Top Advisor Marketing Podcast, where he shares marketing strategies tailored for advisors and connects with top industry leaders.

 

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It’s All About Family with Kevin Kuper and Doug Spooner (Ep. 14)

It’s All About Family with Kevin Kuper and Doug Spooner (Ep. 14)

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Whether you are a player or staff, no matter your position, at UAA, you’re family.

In this episode David welcomes Doug Spooner and Kevin Kuper back on the podcast to share with listeners the progress they’ve made so far with the mentorship program. They explain why this program is so important to them, and to the team’s future success.

David, Spooner, and Kup discuss: 

  • The milestones they have achieved since starting the mentorship program.
  • How a resume can make all the difference when starting your career.
  • Why its important for the players to get their foot in the door and how the program can help them do that.
  • And more

 

Connect with David: 

About Kevin: 

Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Kuper attended UAA and shortly after became part of the Seawolf Hockey family working as the equipment manager from ‘86 to ‘91. This position gave him the opportunity to travel to Japan with the team and become a part of the brotherhood. 

Since his time at UAA, Kup has moved across the country to California. He’s started his own business working as a supply chain consultant helping businesses optimize their supply chain and operations. 

About Doug:

With a knack for the net like few others, Doug Spooner [1987-91] thrilled UAA fans for four seasons, tallying a near-record number of goals and helping UAA to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments.

Utilizing his solid frame and soft scoring touch, the Cache Creek, British Columbia, native was a staple of Seawolf teams that compiled four straight winning seasons, including 21- and 22-victory campaigns in 1989-90 and 1990-91. UAA’s 1987-88 Rookie of the Year, 1988-89 Leon Thompson Fan Favorite and 1990-91 team captain tallied 23 goals in both his sophomore and junior seasons, still tied for No. 6 on the all-time list.

Spooner’s 75 career goals left him just one shy of equaling the program record – a mark he likely would have topped had he not missed 13 games to injury as a senior. His 148 points and 73 assists both also rank in UAA’s career top 10 more than 20 years after his playing days, while his 50 points as a sophomore are still tied for 9th on the single-season list.

Playing on the same team – although often on different lines – with fellow Seawolf Hall-of-Famers Rob Conn, Dean Larson and Derek Donald, he was a vital part of the program’s first to NCAA Tournament teams in 1990 and 1991.

Spooner graduated in 1991 with a bachelor of arts in justice. He currently lives in League City, Texas.

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Nostalgic Tales From Both On And Off The Hockey Rink With Rodney Wild (Ep.13)

Nostalgic Tales From Both On And Off The Hockey Rink With Rodney Wild (Ep.13)

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The nostalgia is palpable as the conversations flow about the memories they made during their college hockey years.

There’s nothing quite like being part of a team.

In this episode, the boys and guest, Rodney Wild take a trip down memory lane, exploring the joys, challenges, and cherished memories associated with the beloved sport of hockey.

The UAA Alumni discuss: 

  • The purpose coaches serve kids throughout elementary school, highschool, and university
  • What they individually took away from their days playing with a team on the ice
  • Some classic and nostalgic stories from their college hockey days
  • How their perspectives on hockey have changed being a coach rather than a player
  • And more

 

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