ANCHORAGE (June 14) - UAA athletic director Steve Cobb announced Tuesday that
Dave Shyiak has been hired as the head coach of the Seawolves' hockey program.
Shyiak, who becomes the fourth head coach in the program's 26-year history, comes to UAA from Northern Michigan University, where he has been an assistant for 10 seasons, including the past three as the associate head coach.
At NMU, Shyiak has helped guide the Wildcats to seven 20-win seasons, six Central Collegiate Hockey Association tournament berths and one NCAA tournament appearance (1998-99). The Wildcats have averaged over 20 wins a season under Shyiak's tenure. NMU was a member of the WCHA during Shyiak's first three seasons as an assistant.
"My family and I are extremely excited to have this opportunity. We can't wait to get to Anchorage to begin building relationships with the team, the staff and the community," Shyiak said. "My vision and passion for this position remains the same as it was four years ago when I applied - UAA hockey has great potential to grow and have success. John (Hill) has created a very stable foundation and both Jack (Kowal) and Keith's (Morris) recruiting efforts have resulted in upgrading the talent level. I am particularly grateful to Dr. Cobb and the UAA administration for this opportunity. Everyone has treated me first class."
"Dave's reputation as both a player and coach is one of a tough, hardworking competitor. I think he's a great fit for UAA and has the ability to take our program forward," said Dr. Cobb. "Dave will be in Anchorage soon to meet with our players and staff and begin laying the groundwork for his tenure as UAA's next hockey coach. I strongly believe the Seawolves are in good hands."
Shyiak served as the head coach of the North American Select Team in 2000 and 2001, guiding the squad to silver medal finishes both seasons at the World "Junior A" Hockey Tournament.
Prior to his stint at his alma mater, Shyiak was general manager and head coach of the Merritt Centennials of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (1994-95) and head coach of the Kimberley Dynamiters of the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (1993-94). He began his coaching career as a student assistant at NMU under Rick Comley in 1992-93.
A co-captain on NMU's 1991 NCAA Championship team, Shyiak also claimed two WCHA Tournament titles (1989 and 1991) and one WCHA regular-season title (1991) as a player. He earned WCHA All-Academic Team accolades in 1988. He earned a bachelors of science in Physical Education from Northern Michigan in 1993.
The 38-year-old Shyiak was a finalist for the UAA head coaching position in 2001. He and his wife Lucia are the parents of two sons - Kristian (1) and Sheldon (newborn).
Others comments about Dave Shyiak:
Bruce McLeod - WCHA Commissioner
"Dave is a real died in the wool WCHA guy from the days that Northern Michigan was in the association, and I strongly feel he is a great fit for UAA. I know that Dave was a finalist for the UAA position before and he has done nothing but increase his stature in the collegiate hockey community since that time."
Walt Kyle - Northern Michigan head hockey coach
"I'm extremely happy for Dave and his family. This is a big loss for our program - he's been such a part of NMU hockey, both as a player and as a coach and has done a great job for us. Anchorage is getting a great man who will do an excellent job."
Rick Comley - Michigan State head hockey coach, former Northern Michigan head hockey coach and athletic director
"I am thrilled for Dave. He's a great hire and a perfect match for UAA. He's familiar with the WCHA, he's paid his dues as an assistant coach and he knows the program and the recruiting areas very well. I have every confidence that he will do a great job for UAA."
