Old rivalries resume and a newly established national power takes the Sullivan Arena ice when the puck drops Oct. 11 on the 23rd edition of the Kendall Hockey Classic.
Along with host and two-time defending champion Alaska Anchorage, this year's tournament features familiar visitors Alaska Fairbanks – playing in its sixth straight Classic – and Air Force, which is making its third trip in the last four years.
And for the first time since 2002 and the eighth time in tournament history, the Classic will feature a team from the previous season's Frozen Four, with the premiere of 2013 NCAA runner-up Quinnipiac. The Bobcats, from Hamden, Conn., are making their first trip to Anchorage as they look to carry over the momentum from a 30-win season.
Here's a quick look at all four contenders for the 2013 championship gold pan:
AIR FORCE
A fixture among the top of the Atlantic Hockey Association standings in recent years, the Falcons are picked second in the league's preseason coaches' poll. Coming off a 17-13-7 record in 2012-13, 17th-year coach Frank Serratore returns 21 letterwinners, including seven seniors.
Senior forward Tony Thomas is one of four returning 20-point scorers, registering 10 goals and 18 assists last year. Cole Gunner tied for second on the team with 29 points (7G, 22A) in 2012-13, while fellow junior forward Chad Demers put up 9-15—24 totals.
Defensively, the Academy will be spearheaded by high-scoring senior Adam McKenzie (8-12—20), the reigning Atlantic Hockey Defenseman of the Year. Senior goaltender Jason Torf also returns after registering a 2.36 goals-against average and .918 saves percentage, playing in all 37 games a year ago.
ALASKA ANCHORAGE
The Kendall Classic marks the much anticipated debut of new Seawolves head coach Matt Thomas, who moves to the collegiate ranks after a highly successful stint on the ECHL pro circuit, most recently with the Stockton Thunder.
Thomas takes over a Seawolf squad that features six key seniors among its 19 returning skaters, including co-captains Matt Bailey and Brett Cameron. UAA's top four scorers are also back from a year ago, led by sophomore forward Blake Tatchell (9 goals, team-high 16 assists), senior forward Jordan Kwas (9-11—20), junior forward Scott Allen (team-high 12 goals) and Bailey (7-12—19), the 2012 Kendall Classic Most Outstanding Player.
As they enter the new-look Western Collegiate Hockey Association, the Seawolves boast a veteran defensive corps, led by sophomore Blake Leask (2-9—11) and senior Quinn Sproule (2-6—8). Thomas will also rely on the senior goaltending tandem of Chris Kamal and Rob Gunderson, who bring a combined 118 games and 6,420 minutes of experience between the pipes.
The Seawolves are unbeaten in the last three Classics (3-0-3) as they defend their 2011 and 2012 titles and aim for their eighth all-time.
ALASKA FAIRBANKS
Looking to get back to the Kendall Classic winners' circle for the first time since back-to-back titles in 2008-09, the Nanooks must replace three of the top six scorers from last year's 17-16-4 club.
Seventh-year head coach Dallas Ferguson leads his team into its first WCHA campaign relying on a trio of 20-point scorers – senior forwards Cody Kunyk (11-17—28) and Colton Beck (11-10—21), and sophomore forward Tyler Morley (10-11—21).
High-scoring defenseman Colton Parayko scored 17 points as a rookie last year and highlights a UAF youth movement that features 17 freshman and sophomore on the roster. In goal, Ferguson will turn to sophomore John Keeney (2.33 gaa, .909 sv%), who earned a 13-11-3 record in his debut season.
QUINNIPIAC
For the first time since Maine's visit in 2002, the Classic will feature a team that skated in the previous season's Frozen Four, as Quinnipiac makes its first-ever visit to Anchorage.
The defending ECAC Hockey champs and national runners-up lose two of their two three scorers from last year's school-record 30-win team, but the Bobcats still boast three players who tallied at least 12 goals and 26 points. Junior forward Michael Peca, a Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick, tallied 15-15—30 totals a year ago, while Edmonton Oilers draft pick Kellen Jones, a senior forward, put up 13-14—27 numbers.
Now with 407 career victories, 20th-year head coach Rand Pecknold must also replace his top three scoring defensemen, although 11-assist man Danny Federico is back on the blue line. Quinnipiac will also be premiering a new starting goalie as junior Michael Garteig played in just five games last year.
