The Pack Is Back Podcast: Recent Episodes
Seawolves Hockey Alumni
The Pack Is Back Podcast is brought to you by the Seawolves Hockey Alumni. This podcast provides regular updates on what is happening, what’s to come and how alumni players continue to support community, connections, and contributions. Sponsored by Seawolf 4Life Foundation, Synergy Capital Solutions, and ProudMouth.
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
Connect with David:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
Connect with Matt Curley:
- Alaska Anchorage: 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.
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:
- Alaska Anchorage: Keith Morris
Connect with David:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
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).
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
Connect with David Vallieres:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
Connect with Dallas Steward:
- LinkedIn: Dallas Steward
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.
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
Connect with David Vallieres:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
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
Resources:
- Talking Stick Resort Website
- The Hockey Chat: Experiences From A Veteran Coach with Pete McEnaney and Coach Shasby (Ep. 9)
Connect with David:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
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:
- Hockey’s Lessons in Dedication and Resilience with John Hill – Part 1 (Ep. 16)
Connect with David:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
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.
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:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
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.
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!
Connect with David:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
Connect with Matt Halloran:
- ProudMouth
- LinkedIn: Matt Halloran
- Twitter: @MattHalloran_
- matt@proudmouth.com
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.
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 … Continue reading It’s All About Family with Kevin Kuper and Doug Spooner (Ep. 14) →
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 … Continue reading Nostalgic Tales From Both On And Off The Hockey Rink With Rodney Wild (Ep.13) →
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:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
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.
Almost every hockey player has a dream of playing in the NHL, but as we all know, this dream doesn’t pan out for most players.
What do these players do now?
In this episode, David invites Kevin Kuper, lead on the Seawolf Hockey Alumni mentoring program, to talk about the future of the program and what progress has been made so far. They discuss the importance of exploring other career options before graduation.
David and Kevin discuss:
- Kuper’s experience as the equipment manager for the Seawolves from ‘86-’91
- What the mentorship program was created for
- Some of the things that players and alumni can expect from participating in the program
- And more
Connect with David:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
Connect with Kevin Kuper:
- Email: kkuper30@gmail.com
- LinkedIn: Kevin Kuper
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.
Have you ever thought about how one accident could change the course of your life?
Well this episode’s guest, Mike Peluso, knows all about that kind of fate…
In this episode, David welcomes UAA veteran, Mike Peluso, to the podcast to share with listeners how one wrong flight landed him in the Sea Wolf uniform. He takes us back to the 80s with a story from his team’s trip to Japan and more.
David and Mike discuss:
- Peluso’s late start in hockey, beginning his career in his senior year of high school
- An iconic Sea Wolf rookie “hazing” ritual
- How classic locker room shenanigans can’t be beat
- And more
Connect with David:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
About Peluso:
Mike Peluso, known as a slick defenseman when drafted in 1985 by the New Jersey Devils, played for the University of Alaska Anchorage until 1989. He signed as a free agent for the Chicago Blackhawks in 1989 and started his National Hockey League career in 1990.
He spent three years in Chicago before going to the new Ottawa Senators as the 21st pick in the 1992 NHL Expansion Draft. During his only season in Ottawa, he set the club record for most penalty minutes in a single season (318) but was allowed to play a more offensive role, scoring 15 goals along with 15 assists. Peluso became one of only three players in NHL history, and the most recent, to have accumulated 400 PIM or more in a single season.
It’s a good idea to chat with people who really know the sport and have experience with it, especially if they also know some of the same people as you.
In this episode, David Vallieres and Coach Shasby talk with Pete McEnaney about his extensive coaching career, personal life, and future plans. Additionally, Pete shares his insights and experiences during his time on campus when he used to play hockey and reflects on the friendships formed during that time
David, Pete, and Coach Shasby discuss:
- The current state of the Seawolves hockey season, with the team coming off a long break and heading toward the final eight games against tough opponents
- The upcoming facility upgrades and plans for a new arena
- Pete’s 25 years of coaching hockey and his current work with Sysco Food Service for 26 years
- Pete’s personal life, including being a single father with three children who are all doing well in their respective fields
- Pete’s plans of retiring and coming back to hockey, supporting UAA Hockey
- Pete’s favorite memories from his time at UAA, including playing with great players and working with talented coaches, and emphasizes the importance of the friendships he formed during his time on campus
- And more!
Connect with David:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
Connect With Matt Shasby:
- 907-786-1227
- mrshasby@alaska.edu
There’s nothing quite like getting together with old friends and remembering some of the best memories you have together.
That’s exactly what this episode is all about.
In this episode, David Vallieres chats with Coach Shasby, Todd Betsy, and Chris Davies to share updates surrounding the UAA’s most recent tournament, what each of them has done since graduating, and some of their favorite stories from their hockey days.
Todd, Chris, and Coach Shasby discuss:
- Updates about the UAA hockey league from their most recent tournament weekend
- How some of the recent changes to the team could impact their 2023 season
- What life has looked like since leaving the University of Alaska Anchorage for Todd a.k.a “Betsy”
- Some sentimental stories from when they played for the Sea Wolves
- And more
Resources:
- GoSeaWolves.com
Connect with David:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
Not many people make the 5000-mile trip for a job opportunity. But when the position involves the UAA Seawolves, it’s well worth it.
In this episode, David Vallieres talks with Kevin Murdock, Seawolf’s assistant coach, to share his experience as a coach and how he ended up in Anchorage all the way from Florida.
Kevin discusses:
- The various team’s Coach Murdock has been involved with from Minnesota to Ohio to finally landing in Alaska
- His roles and responsibilities on the Seawolf bench
- Some team updates and results from the Governor’s Cup in December
- And more
Connect With David:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
Connect With Kevin Murdock:
- kmmurdock@alaska.edu
About Our Guest:
Kevin Murdock joined the UAA staff as an assistant coach in the fall of 2021. Murdock came to UAA from the North Iowa Bulls of the North American Hockey League where he served as the associate head coach and general manager.
Murdock first joined the North Iowa Bulls in 2016 as an assistant coach. He helped the Bulls to a pair of division titles in 2017 and 2018 and an appearance in the Silver Cup in 2017. He was elevated to associate head coach for the 2018-19 season where the team finished second in the West Division and advanced to the Fraser Cup, formerly known as the Silver Cup. Murdock helped the Bulls to a 106-26-6-3 mark during his three years in Mason City.
Murdock was named the head coach of the Kenai River Brown Bears in 2019, where he posted a record of 47-40-4-4 over two years. He returned to North Iowa in the spring of 2021 serving as associate head coach and general manager before coming to UAA.
Murdock, a native of Bradenton, Fla., started his collegiate career at Minnesota State before playing his final three seasons at Lake Superior State where he appeared in 56 games in goal. He would go on to play professional hockey with the Fort Wayne Komets, Fayetteville FireAntz and Tulsa Oilers. Murdock earned his bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation from Lake Superior State.
South Korea is known for many things; its kimchi, K-pop, Hyundai, and more… but it isn’t known for its hockey.
When attending a tournament in South Korea, practices are of very little concern.
In this episode, David Vallieres talks with Dean Deslauriers about his time as a Seawolf in the early 80s. He shares with listeners stories about his time traveling to South Korea with his team and how jaws dropped when they stepped on the ice.
Dean discusses:
- What he has been up to in the hockey world, his professional life, and his family
- The story of how a motorcycle trip with long-time friend landed him in UAA hockey
- Why he thinks the Seawolf for Life Foundation is so important
- And more
Connect with David:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
Connect with Dean:
- LinkedIn: Dean Des Lauriers
About Our Guest:
Dean Des Lauriers started out his hockey journey with the UAA Seawolves in 1982 playing as defenceman.
How he ended up in Anchorage and why he stayed all happened by a twist of fate. After planning a motorcycle trip from Minnesota to Alaska with a long-time buddy, he fell in love with Anchorage as soon as he arrived. After attending an open tryout, he made the team and joined the Seawolf brotherhood.
Since his days as a player, he’s taken up coaching and gone into real estate with his company PacRim Properties. After meeting his wife Nancy in another bizarre twist of fate, he extended her 2-year stay in Alaska to 20. He and his family now call Anchorage home.
Calling all SeaWolves fans and alumni!
After parting ways with the team many years ago, we want to shine light on the many accomplishments, life changes and hockey updates from our team around the globe.
In this episode, David Vallieres talks with Matt Shasby and Derek Donald. Coach Shasby shares some updates on the progression of his team going into the hockey season. Derek Donald shares more about his roots in the hockey industry, and how it has created a legacy for himself as a coach and scout.
David, Matt and Derek discuss:
- The challenges the team will be facing in December
- What he’s been up to personally and professionally since leaving UAA
- What it meant to him to be part of Seawolf Hockey Hall of Fame
- Favorite memories from his time at UAA
- And more
Connect With David Vallieres:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
Connect With Matt Shasby:
- 907-786-1227
- mrshasby@alaska.edu
Connect With Derek Donald:
- LinkedIn: Derek Donald
- Seawolves
About Matt Shasby:
Coach Shasby is currently the vice president of player development for the state of Alaska and serves as a coach with the Anchorage Hockey Association. He has coached numerous age groups in addition to high school teams during his coaching career that started in 2009.
Shasby is a Seawolf alum who played in 127 games during his four-year career for the Seawolves from 1999 to 2003. He was an All-WCHA Second Team Defenseman and was named to the All-WCHA Academic Team three times.
Shasby went on to play professional hockey, appearing in 375 games, primarily with the Alaska Aces of the ECHL. He has served as a volunteer with USA Hockey at numerous camps and coaching education programs.
Shasby earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Alaska Anchorage in 2008 and a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Phoenix. He currently teaches seventh and eighth grade social studies at Northern Lights ABC.
About Derek Donald:
As an Anchorage native, Derek Donald [1988-92] did more than welcome the pressure of playing in front of the hometown fans – he thrived under it. Aided by his 165 career points, the Seawolf hockey team racked up an 88-49-10 record, capturing three straight NCAA Tournament bids, a pair of Nissan/Jeep Classic titles, and the most victories in any 4-year span of UAA hockey history. Individually, Donald still holds the Seawolf career records for power-play (29) and short-handed (9) goals, and he ranks among UAA’s all-time top 10 in career goals (74, 4th), assists (91, 7th), and points (4th), plus season lists for goals (22 in 1990-91, t-9th), assists (36 in 1991-92, 3rd) and points (59 in ’91-92, 4th). But it was the team aspect of the game in which Donald truly excelled. The undersized winger from Service High was on the ice for some of the most historic moments in Seawolf history, delivering game-winning assists in the Nissan/Jeep Classic championship overtime win over British Columbia and in the first game of UAA’s stunning NCAA Tournament upset of Boston College.
As a sophomore, Donald delivered perhaps the most impressive offensive onslaught in school history when he had back-to-back hat tricks against Maine and Ohio State in victories at Sullivan Arena. As a senior he captained the Seawolves to a school-record 27 victories, including 13 in the final 15 games, to clinch yet another playoff berth. After his collegiate career, Donald attended training camp with the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers and became a two-time East Coast Hockey League all-star with the Dayton Bombers. He later returned home to join the Anchorage Aces as both a player and executive, helping the franchise transition from an amateur team to the professional West Coast Hockey League, and eventually from the WCHL to the ECHL. Donald completed his bachelor’s degree in health science from UAA in 1995 and has since gone on to a successful business and real estate career. Although he remains one of the most recognizable faces in Alaska hockey, Donald currently resides in Poulsbo, Wash., children Megan and William.
Nothing can compare to the relationships you build with your college roommates.
In this episode, David Vallieres talks with his college roommate, Chris Davis (Wally), on the podcast to take a walk down memory lane. Struggling to keep it PG, the two share stories from their days as Seawolves and all that’s changed since then.
Chris discusses:
- Where he ended up after UAA and how he stayed in the realm of hockey
- The story of the neighbor’s hot tub and a missing Gordo
- How the two settled disputes while living together
- And more
Connect With David Vallieres:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
Connect With Chris Davis:
- Twitter: Chris Davis
About Our Guest:
Chris Davis (Wally) is a Seawolf Alumni after playing goaltender from 1993-97. Wally played one season of professional hockey after being drafted by the Buffalo Sabres.
After UAA, Wally returned to his hometown in Calgary, Alberta where he worked desk jobs until he realized that lifestyle just wasn’t for him. Starting a family of his own, he now has three children, two sons and a daughter. He decided to get back into the sports community through hockey and his own daughter, the youngest of his three children, who became a luge athlete for the Junior Canadian team.
With over 40 years of Seawolf Alumni, we love seeing what they accomplished after their years as players.
In this episode, David Vallieres talks with Eric Silverman (Silvy) on the podcast to share where he’s ended up since playing as a Seawolf. He updates the Alumni community about one of the top premier hockey programs in the country, the Dallas Stars Elite Hockey Club, which he founded.
Eric discusses:
- How his trip to Alaska as a prospect pushed him to move to Anchorage, Alaska from New York to play for the Seawolves
- How his daughter has helped him see coaching from a parent perspective
- How he is still involved in hockey after his years as a competitive player
- And more
Connect With David Vallieres:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
Connect With Eric Silverman:
- LinkedIn: Eric Silverman
- Dallas Stars Elite Hockey Club
About Our Guest:
Eric Silverman has an extensive hockey background. He grew up playing AAA hockey in New York and left home while in high school to play Junior A hockey for the Sioux City Musketeers (USHL). Eric finished his Junior career ranked as the fourth all-time leading scorer in Sioux City history.
From there he earned a scholarship to play Division I college hockey at the University of Alaska Anchorage (WCHA) where he was the Seawolves’ leading goal scorer as a sophomore. After college he spent three seasons playing professional hockey in the ECHL and CHL. He then spent one season as an assistant coach at the Division I college level with Iona College (MAAC).
Eric is well-trained in skill development spending five years as a head instructor with Robby Glantz Power Skating. During this time he traveled the country working with NHL, AHL, college, and many youth hockey players on power skating and skill development.
This will be Eric’s 13th season coaching in Texas. His teams have consistently been highly ranked nationally and he has helped provide opportunities for several of his players to reach the next level.
Being a Seawolf goes beyond the rink. In the past 40 years, Seawolf hockey has had generations after generations of alumni all forming one big brotherhood.
In this episode, David Vallieres, talks with Coach Shasby accompanied by fellow alum, Rick Ellison. Coach shares some updates about the 2022-2023 team’s first road trip of the season and Rick shares what he’s been up to since leaving UAA.
David, Coach, and Rick discuss:
- The 2022-23 team’s success in their first road trip to Colorado College
- The development of a mentorship program with the help of fellow alumni
- The importance of the Seawolf brotherhood to all of its members
- And more
Connect With David Vallieres:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
Connect With Matt Shasby:
- 907-786-1227
- mrshasby@alaska.edu
Connect With Rick Ellison:
- LinkedIn: Rick Ellison
About Matt Shasby:
Coach Shasby is currently the vice president of player development for the state of Alaska and serves as a coach with the Anchorage Hockey Association. He has coached numerous age groups in addition to high school teams during his coaching career that started in 2009.
Shasby is a Seawolf alum who played in 127 games during his four-year career for the Seawolves from 1999 to 2003. He was an All-WCHA Second Team Defenseman and was named to the All-WCHA Academic Team three times.
Shasby went on to play professional hockey, appearing in 375 games, primarily with the Alaska Aces of the ECHL. He has served as a volunteer with USA Hockey at numerous camps and coaching education programs.
Shasby earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Alaska Anchorage in 2008 and a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Phoenix. He currently teaches seventh and eighth grade social studies at Northern Lights ABC.
About Rick Ellison:
Ellison was a coach and player in Europe and Asia and served as assistant coach for the University of Alaska-Anchorage, additionally lettering for four seasons with the program as a forward 1984-88.
Now, he is a dynamic organizational developer, leader and program director, with an unblemished record of success in Business Development, Sales and Marketing. Hallmarks of 20+ year career are an ability to engender trust, gain consensus, position divisions and organizations for sustainable growth, and grow commercial and nonprofit programs to national prominence. Currently driving business growth for the scientific and research division of an international manufacturer of pharmaceutical, bio-tech research testing and process equipment.
What’s up Sea Wolves fans and welcome to The Pack is Back Podcast, hosted by alumni, David Vallieres!
In this inaugural episode, David talks with Matt Shasby, the Seawolves head coach, to talk about the trials and tribulations of stepping into this role and rebuilding the Seawolves program. As the season kicks off, we get a glimpse of how the team is looking so far, and where they hope to go in the future.
Matt discusses:
- The adventure of refreshing a program and fostering it back to health
- How the transfer portal changed the game for college hockey recruitment
- The effort and experience of having Seawolf hockey back on the ice
- And more
Connect With David Vallieres:
- LinkedIn: David Vallieres
- LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
- Seawolf Hockey Alumni
Connect With Matt Shasby:
- 907-786-1227
- mrshasby@alaska.edu
About Matt Shasby:
Coach Shasby is currently the vice president of player development for the state of Alaska and serves as a coach with the Anchorage Hockey Association. He has coached numerous age groups in addition to high school teams during his coaching career that started in 2009.
Shasby is a Seawolf alum who played in 127 games during his four-year career for the Seawolves from 1999 to 2003. He was an All-WCHA Second Team Defenseman and was named to the All-WCHA Academic Team three times.
Shasby went on to play professional hockey, appearing in 375 games, primarily with the Alaska Aces of the ECHL. He has served as a volunteer with USA Hockey at numerous camps and coaching education programs.
Shasby earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Alaska Anchorage in 2008 and a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Phoenix. He currently teaches seventh and eighth grade social studies at Northern Lights ABC.