UAF 2005-2006 Ice Hockey Recruits
| Name |
Pos |
Shot |
Ht |
Wt |
DOB |
Hometown / Last Team |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts |
PIM |
| Justin Binab |
LW/C |
L |
5-11 |
190 |
04/22/84 |
Victoria BC / Langley Hornets (BCHL) |
35 |
13 |
15 |
28 |
55 |
| Tyler Eckford |
D |
L |
6-3 |
215 |
09/08/85 |
Langley BC / South Surrey Eagles (BCHL) |
60 |
22 |
43 |
65 |
93 |
| Zach Gieszler |
D |
R |
6-0 |
195 |
11/20/84 |
Tigard OR / Williams Lake TimberWolves (BCHL) |
52 |
6 |
17 |
23 |
93 |
| Trevor Hyatt |
LW |
L |
5-9 |
185 |
07/21/85 |
Anchorage AK / Estevan Bruins (SJHL) |
54 |
11 |
21 |
32 |
28 |
| Kyle Jones |
RW |
R |
5-10 |
177 |
09/05/84 |
Airdrie AB / Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) |
60 |
37 |
34 |
71 |
32 |
| Adam Naglich |
RW/C |
R |
6-1 |
182 |
05/09/84 |
Las Vegas NV / Victoria Salsa (BCHL) |
60 |
20 |
26 |
46 |
49 |
| Steve Vanoosten |
D |
R |
6-1 |
195 |
01/16/85 |
Langley BC / Williams Lake TimberWolves (BCHL) |
60 |
10 |
34 |
44 |
27 |
| Braden Walls |
RW |
R |
6-2 |
203 |
06/05/85 |
Calgary AB / Drayton Valley Thunder (AJHL) |
54 |
14 |
38 |
52 |
87 |
| Name |
Pos |
Catch |
Ht |
Wt |
DOB |
Hometown / Last Team |
GP |
W-L-T |
GAA |
SV% |
| Brandon Cross |
G |
L |
6-5 |
208 |
03/12/84 |
Kamloops BC / Merritt Centennials (BCHL) |
37 |
14-21-0 |
3.69 |
.900 |
| Chad Johnson |
G |
L |
6-2 |
175 |
06/10/86 |
Calgary AB / Brooks Bandits (AJHL) |
43 |
25-16-2 |
2.61 |
.923 |
Justin Binab, a 5'11", 190 pound left wing/center from Victoria, British Columbia, played the past three seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League. His 2004-2005 season with the Langley Hornets was shortened by a broken hand suffered in early January, but he scored 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points with 55 penalty minutes in 35 games. During the 2003-2004 season he was a teammate of Kyle Greentree, Adam Naglich, and Wylie Rogers on the Victoria Salsa. In 42 games that season he scored 6 goals and 15 assists for 21 points with 55 penalty minutes. He was Victoria's Rookie of the Year for the 2002-2003 season.
Binab also played two seasons for the Peninsula Panthers of the Victoria Island Junior Hockey League. In the 2001-2002 season he totaled 24 goals and 29 assists for 53 points with 66 penalty minutes in just 28 games before being called up the Victoria. In the 2000-2001 season he scored 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points with 135 penalty minutes in 37 games.
"We were looking for more depth at the forward position, and we were looking for someone who could skate, had skills, and could keep up with the collegiate game," said UAF head coach Tavis MacMillan. "Justin battled an injury last year, but we’ve seen him for a couple of years, playing in Langley and in Victoria the year before. Justin is a real good fit for us. He's a smart player, and he will compete for playing time right away."
Langley Coach Mike Coflin said, "Justin possesses good offensive skills and creativity which will serve him well at the college level. His injury-plagued final season with the Hornets has only made him more determined to have success this season."
Tyler Eckford, a 6'3", 215 pound defenseman from Langley, British Columbia, finished his second season as assistant captain for the South Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League. Eckford was the BCHL's highest scoring defenseman finishing tied for 28th overall with 22 goals and 43 assists for 65 points in 60 games including 13 power play goals. He then added four goals and 15 assists in 25 games during the playoffs after which he received the Eagles' Top Defenceman Award.
Eckford was voted the BCHL's Top Defenceman and Top Pro Prospect in all six monthly BCHL Power Polls and also finished second in MVP rankings in October, third in November, and fifth in December, January, and February. He was also named to the BCHL Coastal Division All-Star Team. He was drafted by the New Jersey Devils with the 217th overall pick in the 7th round of the 2004 National Hockey League Entry Draft. During the 2003-2004 season he totaled 7 goals and 30 assists for 37 points with 101 penalty minutes in 58 games and earned the Eagles' Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player Awards. After the season he was named to the BCHL All-Rookie Team.
Eckford also saw limited action with the Eagles as an injury replacement in the 2002-2003 season spending most of that year with the North Delta Flyers of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League. He was a 2001-2002 1st team All-Star at forward for the Queen's Park Pirates of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League. He scored 21 goals and added 32 assists with 52 penalty minutes in 38 regular season games and added three assists in four playoff games. He was a teammate of Steve Vanoosten on the 2000-2001 British Columbia and Western Canadian Bantam AAA champion Langley Eagles.
"We're real happy for him," South Surrey Head Coach Ryan Thorpe said. "Tyler is a kid who came into the season without a great outlook on where his hockey career was going to take him. He wasn't sure he wanted to play really and then before you know it, he made a pretty good name for himself, he got a scholarship and now he's been drafted. That's pretty impressive. He needs to work on his quickness but his ability to do things at a high speed - move the puck, skate with the puck, shoot - he does all those things really well. He seems to be able to do those things without a lot of thought while most guys his size really have to work at that. For him it looks like it comes pretty naturally."
”Tyler is a smooth skating defender who sees the ice well,” said former UAF assistant coach Jason Lammers. “He’s very physical and strong on his skates. I think Tyler will bring a little bit of an attitude to our defense and should be a factor in our power play.”
"What's amazing is that Tyler was drafted as a defenseman and he has played that position for only one season," said UAF Head Coach Tavis MacMillan. "That is a tribute to Tyler's ability and skill. He's young and still learning, but he's getting better each day and there's no doubt his best hockey is ahead of him. With his size, speed and skill with the puck, Eckford can play physical for us and be an integral part of the our power play. That's a special player. We're definitely very lucky to have him in our program and working with him to reach his ultimate goal of playing in the NHL."
Zach Gieszler, a 6'0", 195 pound defenseman from Tigard, Oregon, played three seasons for the Williams Lake TimberWolves of the British Columbia Hockey League. During the 2004-2005 season he played 52 games scoring six goals and 17 assists for 23 points with 95 penalty minutes. In 60 games in 2003-2004 he had one goal and 16 assists with 129 penalty minutes. In 15 playoff games he added two goals and five assists with 26 penalty minutes. He joined the TimberWolves during the 2002-2003 season after being released by the Nanaimo Clippers.
"We're very excited to add Zach to our back end," said UAF Assistant Coach Wade Klippenstein. "He will bring a real spirit, not only in games, but also in practice. Zach is very competitive, and he takes a lot of pride in his own end. Zach's work ethic and commitment to the game of hockey puts him above the crowd. He's a very hard worker, and he got great experience playing at Williams Lake in all situations."
"Zach is a great kid, he'll give 100 per cent every shift," said Williams Lake General Manager Kevin Nohr. "He's feisty and he's nasty, he has great hands and skates very well, and he'll be a great college hockey player for you guys. Zach was one of our best captains as far as leadership on and off the ice. He loves doing things in the community, and he's a great team player."
Trevor Hyatt, a 5-9, 185 pound left wing from Anchorage, Alaska, played two seasons for the Estevan Bruins of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. During the 2004-2005 season he scored 11 goals and added 21 assists for 32 points in 54 games and earned the Most Sportsmanlike Player Award. In 14 playoff games he scored two goals and added eight assists and finished +5 to share the Bruins' top plus/minus award. In 2003-2004 he totaled eight goals and three assists for 11 points in just 19 games and shared the Abe Berday Memorial Scholastic Award after joining Estevan at midseason. He started the season with the Dayton Gems of the North American Hockey League totaling one assist in 20 games before the team folded.
Hyatt was also a standout player for Service High School in Anchorage twice earning honorable mention to the Alaska All-State Hockey Team totaling 13-12-25 in 2001-2002 and 18-14-32 in 2002-2003. He also was team captain for the Alaska All-Stars Midgets.
“Trevor is one of the top players born in 1985 from the state of Alaska,” said UAF assistant coach Wade Klippenstein. “He had tremendous success this year as a member of the Estevan Bruins. He is noted for his quickness, dedication, commitment and his work ethic. He’s a good penalty killer, and he will be a welcome addition to our team.”
“Trevor is an extremely intelligent, hard working young man with a lot of character who takes a lot of pride in his game,” said Estevan Bruins Head Coach Kelvin Mackay. “He was here for two years, was a very valuable member of our hockey club, and we’re elated to see him get to the next level. You won’t meet a guy who works harder. He really takes a lot of pride in his game.”
Kyle Jones, a 5'10", 177 pound center from Airdrie, Alberta, played three seasons for the Trail Smoke Eaters of the British Columbia Hockey League. Jones was named Trail's Player of the Month for October 2004 and to the BCHL Interior Conference All-Star Team. He finished the 2004-2005 season with 37 goals and 34 assists for 71 points with 32 penalty mintues in 60 games to earn Trail's Top Scorer Award for the second consecutive season. He also led the team in scoring during the playoffs with three goals and seven assists for ten points in six games. In 2003-2004 he totaled 54 goals and 34 assists for 88 points with 35 penalty minutes in 57 games and added four goals and four assists in 10 playoff games. After the season he was named to the BCHL Interior Conference First All-Star Team.
In 2002-2003 season he scored 40 goals and 44 assists for 84 points with 26 penalty minutes in 50 games and shared the team's Most Valuable Player Award. Jones started the 2002-2003 season with the Camrose Kodiaks in the Alberta Junior Hockey League where he had three assists and 16 penalty minutes in nine games. He also played the 2001-2002 season with Camrose totaling 35 goals and 23 assists for 58 points with 16 penalty minutes in 61 games.
Jones played the 2000-2001 season for the UFA Bisons of the Alberta Midget Hockey League earning South Division All-Star honors with 17 goals and 16 assists for 33 points with 22 penalty minutes in 33 games. He played the 1999-2000 season with the Airdrie Extreme in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League where he earned the league's Most Sportsmanlike Award while scoring 46 goals and 27 assists with just eight penalty minutes in 36 games. Airdrie won the 2000 Bantam AAA Western Canadian Championships as Jones scored eight goals and six assists in six games.
“Kyle Jones is as natural of a goal scorer as you will find anywhere. He has a knack for finding the net and will add immediate offense to our lineup,” said former UAF Head Coach Guy Gadowsky.
Adam Naglich, a 6'1", 182 pound center from Las Vegas, Nevada, played three seasons for the Victoria Salsa of the British Columbia Hockey League. In the 2004-2005 season he was the Salsa's third leading scorer with 20 goals and 26 assists for 46 points with 49 penalty minutes. He added two goals and four assists for six points in five BCHL playoff games. In 2003-2004 he was also the team's third leading scorer with 28 goals and 33 assists for 61 points with 78 penalty minutes in 59 games and received the Friendship Award. In 2002-2003 he had 14 goals and 24 assists for 38 points with 57 penalty minutes in 59 games and earned the Governor's Award.
Naglich played two years with the Las Vegas Mustangs AA Midgets totaling 48 goals and 62 assists and was +70 with five hat tricks and eight winning goals in 74 games in 2001-2002. He had 12 goals and six assists in 13 games against Tier I Midget teams, won the all-around skills competion at the U.S. Nationals and was named the Mustangs' Most Improved player. The 2000-2001 season was his first in competitive ice hockey and he scored 15 goals and 25 assists. Prior to beginning his ice hockey career Naglich was a roller hockey star in Las Vegas. He was named Las Vegas Roller Player of the Year in 2002 and Skater of the Year in 2003.
Steve Vanoosten, a 6'1", 195 pound, defenseman from Langley, British Columbia, was team captain of the Williams Lake TimberWolves of the British Columbia Hockey League during the 2004-2005 season. Vanoosten totaled ten goals and 34 assists for 44 points in 60 games with 27 penalty minutes and was named the team's Top Defenseman. He was also ranked fourth for Top Defenseman in the September 2004 BCHL Power Poll and fifth in both October and November and then named to the BCHL Interior Conference All-Star Team. He started the 2003-2004 season with the Chilliwack Chiefs scoring five goals and eight assists with 14 penalty minutes in 42 games before being traded to Williams Lake where he had seven assists and 17 penalty minutes in 19 games.
Vanoosten was named Top Defenseman for the Abbotsford Pilots in 2002-2003 after starting the season with the Coquitlam Express in the BCHL. He had four assists and six penalty minutes in 28 games for Coquitlam. He then scored three goals and four assists with four penalty minutes in 16 regular season games for the Pilots and added one goal and four assists with 22 penalty minutes during the playoffs. He also earned their February 2003 Defensive Player of the Month Award. Vanoosten had one goal and 11 assists with 27 penalty minutes in 36 regular season games and added two goals and two assists with 2 penalty minutes in nine playoff games for the Port Coquitlam Buckeroos of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League in 2001-2002. He was a teammate of Tyler Eckford on the 2000-2001 British Columbia and Western Canadian Bantam AAA champion Langley Eagles.
“Steve’s a great skating defenseman, and he’s exactly what we were looking for,” said UAF Head Coach Tavis MacMillan. “We were looking to add a right-handed, skilled defenseman, and Steve fits that mold. The first time I saw Steve play, his skating ability jumped out at me. He moves very well, and he has good decision-making skills. We thought he was someone we could add who would really help us. We’re pleased with his development. He’s in a great organization that has given him an opportunity to blossom.”
“Steve is an excellent defenseman who is highly skilled and makes smart decisions,” said Williams Lake General Manager Kevin Nohr. “He’s going to be a great fit for UAF. He’s one of the top defensemen in our league. Steve does everything very well, but his decision-making stands out. He makes good decisions as far as when to delay, and when to make the pass. He should help both offensively and defensively.”
Braden Walls, a 6'2", 203 pound, right wing from Calgary, Alberta, has played the past three seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He spent two seasons with the Drayton Valley Thunder totaling 14 goals and 38 assists for 52 points with 87 penalty minutes in 54 games during 2004-2005 and 18 goals and 20 assists for 38 points with 172 penalty minutes in 53 games during 2003-2004. He shared the team's Top Forward award last season and played on the AJHL North All-Star team in 2004.
Walls played in 2002-2003 with the Calgary Canucks and scored 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points with 30 penalty minutes in 50 games. He spent the 2001-2002 season as a teammate of Ryan Muspratt on the Calgary Flames of the Alberta Midget Hockey League and in 34 games scored 18 goals and added 22 assists for 40 points.
"Braden Walls is a power forward who loves to go to the net and plays well without the puck," said UAF Assistant Coach Wade Klippenstein. "He has a quick release and shoots the puck hard. He would have had a chance to be a top 10 or 15 guy in their league as a 19 year old, and we were fortunate to get him. He caught our eye many times this year, every time we went to Alberta; his name was mentioned the most. Braden should be a pretty good player in the years to come."
Brandon Cross, a 6'5", 208 pound, goaltender from Kamloops, British Columbia, played the past two seasons for the Merritt Centennials of the British Columbia Hockey League. During the 2004-2005 season he played 38 games and had a 14-21-0 record with a 3.69 goals against average and .900 save percentage. In 2003-2004 he played 43 games compiling a 20-17-0 record with a 3.99 goals against average and .889 save percentage. Cross also had 15 assists in his two seasons with the Centennials. He played for the Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in the 2002-2003 season.
"He's a big kid who's very athletic and he has a huge upside," UAF Head Coach Tavis MacMillan said. "A 6-5 goaltender takes up a lot of the net. There's a lot of growth in his game and if he works hard at his game, he's going to make some huge strides."
“Brandon is a big, strong goaltender who is very competitive by nature,” said UAF Assistant Coach Wade Klippenstein. “He is a big goaltender who is technically sound. We look forward to Brandon creating a healthy, competitive atmosphere with regard to our goaltending situation. He is very good at playing the puck, he takes up a lot of the net and he is a very good student. We expect Brandon to push for ice time in the years to come.”
Chad Johnson, a 6'2", 175 pound, goaltender played his second season for the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. In the 2004-2005 regular season Johnson played in 43 games for a 25-16-2 record with a 2.61 GAA and .923 save percentage which was the fifth lowest save percentage in AJHL history. He was named Brooks' regular season and playoff MVP. He also earned First Team South Division All League honors and the Stewy Stewart Memorial Trophy awarded to the AJHL South Division player who exhibits the best character, dedication, perserverance, integrity and sportsmanship.
In the 2003-2004 season Johnson played in 31 games and had a 3.94 GAA and .898 save percentage. He finished second on the team in Source for Sports Cup Three-Stars points and played for the South Team in the 2004 AJHL Prospects game stopping all 16 shots in 30:50. He played the 2002-2003 season for the Calgary Buffaloes in the AMHL finishing with an 8-8-2 record with a 3.25 GAA and .909 save percentage. Johnson was a 6th round pick of Medicine Hat in the 2001 WHL Bantam Draft.
"He's very efficient in his movements and he reminds me a lot of Preston with the way he laterally moves, closes the holes and plays the percentages,'' UAF Head Coach Tavis MacMillan said. "He's still growing, and as he gets stronger, it's going to make a huge difference in games, especially with the way he moves.''
"Chad is one of the best young goaltenders in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He plays with a lot of composure, he is very controlled and is very fundamentally sound,'' UAF assistant coach Klippenstein said. "Chad is a leader on a young team, and he has the ability to settle things down. He has good leadership qualities, and we're excited to have him."
"Chad is a very positionally sound goaltender who has a strong calming influence on our team,” said Brooks Bandits Head Coach Kevin Higo. “His stability in the net and his maturity has allowed him to display his leadership qualities for our team."
