University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

Doug Auchenberg

Doug Auchenberg, a 5'8", 210 pound center from Edmonton, Alberta, is a three-year veteran of the Alberta Junior Hockey League and played this season for the Sherwood Park Crusaders. He finished fifth in AJHL scoring with 34 goals and 64 assists for 98 points in 53 games. In nine playoff games he added four goals and eight assists. Auchenberg led the Crusaders in scoring and was second on the team in the Source for Sports Cup standings which awards points to the three stars of each game. He was selected for Alberta's team in the Viking Cup and scored two goals and four assists in three games. He was the AJHL Game Star in their 5-4 overtime win against the U.S. Under 18 Selects. Auchenberg played for the North Division team in the AJHL All-Star Game, was runner-up in voting for the AJHL Most Valuable Player, and was named to the North division All-League First Team after the season.

During the 2000-2001 season Auchenberg played for the Bonnyville Pontiacs and Camrose Kodiaks. He finished 19th in AJHL scoring with 30 goals and 51 assists for 81 points in 49 games and was fourth in the league in assists per game and ninth in points per game. Auchenberg added five goals and seven assists in 15 games in the AJHL playoffs. He then scored two goals including the game winner in overtime in game three and was selected #3 star of a double-overtime win in game five of the Doyle Cup series for the Alberta-British Columbia Junior A championship. He finished the season with three goals and eight assists in six games at the Royal Bank Cup where he had three assists in the final game as Camrose won the Canadian Junior A championship.

In 1999-2000 Auchenberg was named Bonnyville's Most Improved Player after scoring 12 goals and 20 assists.

"Doug has enjoyed a very successful Junior A career in the AJHL," said Sherwood Park assistant coach Steve Hamilton. "He is the captain and leader of our team. His physical style of play combined with a deft touch around the net, have solidified him as a premier player in the league. Doug is looking forward to contributing to the Nanooks' program and developing his skills at the next level."

"He is a smart hockey player and his value is much more than just the points he puts up," UAF coach Guy Gadowsky said. "He is very good defensively, very aware of what is going on. He plays both ends of the ice and is also a big hitter. He punishes you with his hits. I've seen him play twice and he's laid guys out twice. He just crushes guys and is very tough to play against."

Kelly Czuy

Kelly Czuy, a 6'2", 195 pound right wing from Edmonton, Alberta, played this season for the Canmore Eagles of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Czuy totaled 35 goals and 34 assists for 69 points in 64 games during the regular season and added eight goals and four assists in 14 playoff games. He tied for third on the Eagles in the Source for Sports Cup standings which awards points to the three stars of each game.

During the 2000-2001 season Czuy played for the Bow Valley Eagles. In 56 games he totaled 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points and also earned a share of the team's Academic / Athletic Player Award.

"Kelly plays a hard up and down physical game night in and night out," said Canmore Eagles coach Bob Miller. "Offensively he capitalizes by putting himself in a scoring position whenever on the ice. He shoots the puck like a pro."

"Kelly plays bigger than his 6'1" and 185 lbs. frame," said UAF coach Guy Gadowsky.  "I believe he is going to take very well to Mike Curtin and become a physical force in the CCHA. He is gritty and plays well in traffic and on the wall. He has an excellent shot and passes the puck with authority."

Jordan Hendry

Jordan Hendry, a 6'0", 190 pound defenseman from Nokomis, Saskatchewan, played this season for the Battlefords North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. Hendry scored 10 goals and 13 assists in 63 games and added one assist in six playoff games. He played for the Dodge Conference All-Stars in the SJHL Prospects Game and was known as one of the fastest skating defenseman in the league. During the 2000-2001 season Hendry played for the Tisdale Trojans of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League totaling 12 goals and 25 assists for 37 points in 56 games.

UAF coach Guy Gadowsky says of Hendry, "Jordan may be the best skating defenseman we saw all last year. He is one of the few gifted skaters who combines powerful strides with quickness and agility. He will be a pleasure to watch on the large Carlson Center surface. He plays an intelligent game and moves the puck very well. We feel Jordan has the ability to make an impact both offensively and defensively in the CCHA."

UAF assistant coach Tavis MacMillan added, "Jordan is a player we've been watching for two years. We first saw him play as a midget for Tisdale in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA League. Right away I was so impressed with his feet and skating ability. He also does everything with his head up, much like Grosul and Larranaga. His skating ability and instinct should allow him to have great success on the large ice surface at the Carlson Center.

Russell Spence

Russell Spence, a 6'3", 205 pound center from Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, played this season for the OCN Blizzard in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. He finished tied for 17th in MJHL scoring with 29 goals and 52 assists for 81 points in 55 games and added nine goals and seven assists in 21 playoff games. Spence scored the game winner in overtime against Kindersley of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in Game One of the Anavet Cup and was named OCN game star in their 3-1 loss to Halifax in the championship game of the Royal Bank Cup. He had six power play and a league leading seven shorthanded goals and was named MJHL Co-Player of the Week on October 8. Spence was one of just three MJHL players rated as a 'B' Player in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau October 2001 Players to Watch listing. He was selected for Manitoba's team in the Viking Cup where he scored two goals and two assists and was the MJHL Game Star in their semi-final loss. Spence was named to the MJHL Sherwood Division All-Stars and was also nominated as one of the finalists for the The Lorne "Windy" Lyndon Memorial Trophy which is awarded to the player that best combines hockey ability and sportsmanship along with a nomination for an MJHL All-Star forward position. After the season he was selected 280th overall in the ninth round of the 2002 NHL Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes.

Spence played the 2000-2001 season for the Portage Terriers in the MJHL and totaled 26 goals and 24 assists for 50 points while earning a spot on the MJHL Allard Division All-Stars. He was the winner of both the Puck Handling and Fastest Skater events at the All-Star game. In three years with the Terriers, Spence played 152 games and had 55 goals and 67 assists for 122 points including 11 power play and 7 game winning goals.

"Russell has great skating and puck skills packed on a very big frame," UAF coach Guy Gadowsky said. "Russell should add to the speed and smarts of our team and do it in a 6'3" body. With the help of Mike Curtin, Russell has the potential to be a dominant player in the CCHA."

Alex Staudt

Alex Staudt, a 6'3", 180 pound defenseman from Cranbrook, British Columbia, played this season for the Burnaby Bulldogs of the British Columbia Hockey League. Staudt scored 8 goals and 12 assists in 34 games before his season was ended by a lower back injury.

During the 2000-2001 season Staudt played under UAF assistant coach Todd Jones for the Fernie Ghostriders of the America West Hockey League and totaled six goals and 15 assists for 21 points in 46 games.

"Alex is a well-rounded defenseman," said Jones. "I counted on him in all situations last year, power play, penalty killing, 5-on-5. He plays with a lot of maturity. He is a guy who skates well, has good size and great vision."