Ice Dogs' Block headed to New Hampshire
The Fairbanks Ice Dogs have announced that second-year forward Austin Block has committed to the University of New Hampshire (Hockey East) for the upcoming fall.
Block, a 19-year-old from Northridge, Calif., was named the NAHL Forward of the Year and to the All-NAHL Team after winning the league’s scoring title with 73 points (29 goals) in 57 regular-season games.
“We couldn’t be happier for Austin,” said Ice Dogs head coach Josh Hauge. “He certainly proved this past season to be one of the elite junior players in the country, and to have the opportunity to play at such an esteemed program like UNH is exciting for Austin and his family.”
AVALANCHE’S FRIESE TO UAA: The Alaska Avalanche has announced that forward Matt Friese has committed to the University of Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA) for the 2010-11 season.
“He’s a great player, one of those kids who’s kind of the dream of the crop coming out of Alaska,” said Avalanche head coach Dave Boitz told the Frontiersman. “To commit to the UAA program out of the state of Alaska is a pretty big deal.
This past year, Friese, a 17-year-old from Wasilla, Alaska, totaled four goals and four assists in 34 regular-season games with the Avalanche.
FORMER ZEBRAS TO WORK ECHL FINALS: Four former NAHL officials have been selected to work the ECHL’s Kelly Cup Playoff Finals: refereers Geno Binda and Andy Thiessen and linesmen Michael Hamilton and Will Moran.
The best-of-seven finals, which pits the South Carolina Stingrays against the Alaska Aces, commences on Friday, May 22 in Alaska.