Saturday, July 6, 2013

Chase Van Allen Commits To University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves

Press Release

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs announce today that Chase Van Allen has committed to the NCAA Division I program at the University of Alaska Anchorage for the 2013/14 season.

"He worked so hard the past two years,” said Alberni Valley Bulldogs educational advisor Tom McEvay. “Most people do not see what players like Chase do off the ice in terms of preparing themselves academically. Chase was always prepared to do whatever it took.”

Since making the jump to the BCHL from the Alaska Avalance in the NAHL, Van Allen showed significant improvment each of the last two seasons with the Bulldogs. Not only did Van Allen’s point production increase as he honed his offensive abilities, but he also becamed more disciplined and was named one of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ assistant captains in 2012/13.

Van Allen finished the 2012/13 regular season campaign with 7 goals, 25 assists for 32 points in 53 games putting him in the top 10 for scoring amoung all BCHL defensemen. However, it’s what Van Allen did in the playoffs that made many talk about how he quietly became one of the elite defensemen in the league. Van Allen stepped his game up, playing with extreme confidence and poise, and contributed with an additional 8 points in 14 playoff games, including 3 powerplay assists and one game winning goal.

“I am very happy that Chase gets the opportunity to play NCAA Div 1 hockey right in his own backyard for the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves,” said Bulldogs’ head coach and general manager Kevin Willison. “Chase was a big part of Alberni’s community, volunteering whenever he could and was also a big help in the Bulldogs In School program. Not only was he the Bulldogs’ best defensemen last season but his leadership really came to life in the playoffs,” concluded Willison.

Van Allen took home two team awards following the conclusion of the 2012/13 season: the Best Defenceman Award and the Humanitarian Award for his outstanding work in the community.

“Thank you to everyone that helped me this season. It’s an unbelievable feeling to commit to such a great program – it’s really a dream come true,” said Chase Van Allen. “I want to thank my teammates, my coaches Kevin Willison and Adam Hayduk, the entire Bulldogs staff, all the volunteers, and my billet parents for the amazing time while in Alberni Valley and for giving me the opportunity to move forward with my hockey career,” concluded Van Allen.

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs family would like to thank Chase for everything he has done for the organization and for the community over the past 2 seasons. Chase will be missed and we wish him all the best in his hockey and future endeavours.


The UAA Seawolves are a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).  



 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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