ANCHORAGE – Senior forward Justin Bourne, who led Alaska Anchorage in points in 2006-07 with a career-high 31, was named the Seawolf hockey team's Most Valuable Player at the annual UAA Blueliners Booster Club award banquet Wednesday night at the Hilton Anchorage Hotel.
The Kelowna, B.C., product notched a team-high 21 assists and 10 goals in 37 games, while helping the Seawolves double their win total from the previous season. Tied for 21st among WCHA skaters in points, the assistant team captain recorded a team-best four game-winning goals, including a pair of overtime clinchers. The first UAA player to reach the 30-point plateau since 2003-04, Bourne ended his career tied for 31st on UAA's career points list with 84. He also played in more career games (149) than any other Seawolf in program history, missing just one game in his entire four-year UAA career.
Bourne, who is currently playing with the Alaska Aces, was also a co-recipient of the Leon Thompson Fan Favorite Award, which was voted on by fans through an online poll at GoSeawolves.com.
Junior Merit Waldrop, who scored a career-best 19 points, shared the Leon Thompson Fan Favorite Award with Bourne. The Anchorage product was sixth on UAA in points, while posting five goals and a career-high 14 assists.
Rookie of the Year was awarded to freshman center Paul Crowder (Victoria, B.C.), who finished the season second on UAA in points with 24. Tied for ninth in the WCHA among freshman skaters in points, Crowder tied for the team lead in goals with 11, tied for third in assists with 13 and tied for second in power-play goals with four. The rookie was one of five Seawolves to play in all 37 games. He also notched four multiple-point games and two game-winning goals.
Senior team captain Charlie Kronschnabel (St. Paul, Minn.) was voted Most Inspirational by his teammates. UAA's top centerman, Kronschnabel scored 2-6—8 totals despite missing 15 games due to injury. He ended his career at 47th on UAA's all-time scoring list with 64 career points. Kronschnabel is currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks' AHL affiliate Portland Pirates.
Most Improved Player was awarded to junior Peter Cartwight, who scored career-high figures in goals (5), assists (7) and points (12). Eighth on the team in points, the former Service High standout played in all 37 games this past season. Cartwright took the third-most faceoffs on the team, winning 178 of 381. He also notched a season-long three-game goal-scoring streak, including tallying goals in both of UAA's home victories over Alaska Fairbanks.
Sophomore forward Jay Beagle (Calgary, Alberta) received the Corner Man Award. The rugged forward .tied for third on the team in points with 10 goals and 10 assists in 36 games
Senior Chad Anderson received the Jack Peterson Student-Athlete award. A three-time WCHA All-Academic Team honoree, Anderson led all Seawolf defensemen in point this season with a career-best 20. The Chisago City, Minn., product, who ended the season No. 15 in the WCHA in points by a defenseman, is majoring in physical education.
The Blueliners Booster Club awarded the Seawolf Trail Blazer Award, given to a former UAA player who has given back to the program as a strong supporter, to Brian Kraft. Currently a volunteer assistant coach with the Seawolves, Kraft (1990-92) stands 15th on UAA's all-time scoring list with 94 points.
2006-07 University Alaska Anchorage Hockey Awards Banquet winners:
Team MVP*
JUSTIN BOURNE (Sr., F, Kelowna, B.C.)
Rookie of the Year*
PAUL CROWDER (Fr, F., Victoria, B.C.
Most Improved*
PETER CARTWRIGHT (Jr., F, Anchorage, Alaska)
Most Inspirational*
CHARLIE KRONSCHNABEL (Sr., F, St. Paul, Minnesota)
Corner Man*
JAY BEAGLE (So., F, Calgary, ALB)
Leon Thompson Fan Favorite
JUSTIN BOURNE (Sr., F, Kelowna, B.C.)
MERIT WALDROP (Jr., F, Anchorage, Alaska)
Jack Peterson Student-Athlete*
CHAD ANDERSON (Sr., D, Chisago City, Minnesota)
*Award voted on by members of the UAA hockey team.
