Lone Star forward Glover makes NCAA DI commitment

December 14, 2016

The Lone Star Brahmas, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), are proud to announce that forward Drake Glover will play NCAA Division I hockey for the University of Alaska Anchorage for the 2017-18 season.

 

“Just to get the chance to play at home and for a program that I’ve watched for ten years is great. To play in front of my family and friends will be awesome, and I think watching [the Seawolves] for so long makes me want to go there even more,” Glover said.

 

Glover is the kind of forward who can help turn around the Alaskan program. Growing up just a few minutes away from Sullivan Arena and the university, it was an easy decision to commit to the Seawolves.

 

“I’d go to games as much as I could just depending on what my hockey schedule was like,” Glover added. “I had a couple of coaches who played there so there’s a lot of alumni that’s still around in the hockey community that supported a lot so I always tried to watch them as much as I could.”

 

“I think it’s a smart move,” Head Coach Dan Wildfong said. “A hometown boy going back home to play Division I hockey. He came to the North American league to prove that he has the ability to play Division I college hockey. Obviously he’s proven that so far and he has to keep going.”

 

The 20-year-old forward leads the Brahmas in scoring with 15 goals and four game-winning goals through 27 games played. Glover is tied for seventh in rookie scoring in the NAHL with 26 points.

 

Glover has played alongside Peter Kessel and Austin Kamer since the pre-season, and he believes that the consistency has helped him find success.

 

“I think as we’ve gone through the season, we’ve gotten more comfortable and know where guys are going to be at the right times. I think they’ve done a hell of a job. Obviously can’t thank them enough for what they’ve gotten me to do as a player and I appreciate what they and the rest of my teammates have done to help make me a better player.”

 

His biggest adjustment to the NAHL was developing a quicker pace of play and becoming an all-around hockey player. Through the first half of the season, Glover has been one of the Brahmas top options on the power play and has re-found his scoring touch.

 

“I think the key was getting me to play with more speed, but I think Dan’s really taught me to be more of a 200 foot player. I’ve always taken pride in that, but he’s really pushing it on me to be 200 foot guy and not be a one dimensional player,” Glover said.

 

“He also wants me to play more physical, which I think I’ve been doing this year, which I think ultimately helped me get a scholarship. Dan and Bryce [Thoma] really tried to improve my accountability by telling me to move my feet more all the time.”

 

“He’s playing with pace, he’s playing a lot harder on a regular basis where I think he had some up and down moments [with the Weyburn Red Wings] so I know Anchorage likes the way he is playing and he’s competing harder around pucks,” Wildfong said.

 

Before his time in Brahmaland, the Anchorage native was a high-end playmaker in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and High School hockey. Through 89 games in Weyburn, Glover scored 72 points with 55 of those being assists.

 

Since coming to Texas, Glover’s point production has remained steady and he even recorded a hat trick in his first North American Hockey League game.

 

“He’s delivered for us as expected, but in different ways if that makes any sense,” Assistant Coach Al Rooney said. “He’s been more of a scorer for us than a set up man, but he can do them both. The pace of play has picked up from him and he’s adjusted very well.”

 

One thing the 6-foot-0, 185-pound forward will not have to worry about is adjusting to the coaching style in Alaska. Glover’s relationship with the Seawolves coaching staff goes back to his bantam years of playing hockey.

 

Alaska Anchorage Assistant Coach Louis Mack coached Glover for two years growing up and helped him train during the summers as he advanced through his hockey career.

 

“I have a good relationship with [the coaching staff]. Coach [Matt] Thomas has seen me play hockey since he’s been at UAA for about five years now,” Glover said.

 

Glover plans to study either engineering or business, but he is keeping his options open. In the meantime, his primary focus is to help the Lone Star Brahmas win its first ever Robertson Cup.