ANCHORAGE (April 24) - John Hill will be the third head coach of the University of Alaska Anchorage hockey team, Director of Athletics Dr. Steve Cobb announced today. Cobb and Hill are attending the Western Collegiate Hockey Association annual meetings in Marco Island, Fla.

The former Seawolf team captain and assistant coach (1991-95) assumes his first head coaching position at the collegiate level following stints as an assistant coach at Colorado College (1995-99) and the University of Minnesota (1999-2001). In his second season with the Gophers, he helped them to the 2001 NCAA tournament. As an assistant at Colorado College, he assisted the Tigers to the national tournament each of his four seasons. Before becoming an assistant coach for UAA under Brush Christiansen, Hill served as the head coach for Dubuque of the U.S. Junior A Hockey League for two seasons, 1989-91.

"I am excited and feel very privileged to accept the position of head hockey coach at UAA," expressed Hill. "This has always been a goal of mine, and I look forward to the challenge of restoring the pride in the Seawolf hockey program...The WCHA is an outstanding conference, and I look forward to going head to head with the coaches that I have established relationships with over the years."

"It became apparent during the search process that John has prepared himself for this opportunity through his varied experiences and hard work, and we believe he is more than capable of assuming the leadership role of Seawolf hockey," said Dr. Cobb, who chaired the three-person search committee. "I have enjoyed the emotion and passion demonstrated by the UAA and Anchorage hockey community during this difficult search...I am pleased to announce that for the first time in UAA history the Seawolves are going to be coached by a former Seawolf student-athlete."

Hill was a four-year letterwinner for the Seawolves (1980-85). Twice named Most Inspirational Player (1982 and '84), he captained the 1983-84 squad. He holds the No. 10 spot on the UAA career goals list (60) and led the Seawolves in goals in 1981-82 and tied for the lead in 1982-83.

Hill fills the void left following the reassignment of Dean Talafous (1996-2001) last month. Christiansen (1979-96) was the only other coach in the history of the program. The Seawolves were 7-24-5 this season and finished ninth in the 10-team league.