ANCHORAGE – Alaska-Anchorage head hockey coach Dave Shyiak has announced that a pair of players from the British Columbia Hockey League have signed National Letters of Intent to suit up for the Seawolves.
Joining the team will be defensemen Lee Baldwin and Wes McLeod.
Baldwin, a 6-3, 210-pounder from Victoria, B.C., has tallied 5 goals and 16 assists for 21points in 23 games with the Victoria Grizzlies this season. Baldwin played for the Burnaby Express during the 2007-08 and 2006-07 seasons, where he posted 40 points (7g, 33a).
“Lee is bit of a late bloomer and really has developed into one of the better defensemen in the BCHL,” said Shyiak. “He moves very well for his size and can make plays up the ice. He is used in all situations and will be a solid addition to our defensive core.”
“Lee worked very hard this summer to become a complete player,” Grizzlies general manager Jackson Penney says. “He’s a great skater for his size and has both good shooting and passing abilities. Lee is very good in the locker room and leads by example.”
Meanwhile, McLeod joins UAA from the Prince George Spruce Kings, where he has recorded 2 goals and 15 assists for 17 points in 24 games. A native of Kamloops, B.C., McLeod weighs in at 185 pounds and is 6-1. In his second season with the Kings, McLeod has career totals of 5-26-31.
“Wes is a young defenseman who is very skilled and skates well. Despite his young age, he really has grown this year into a confident player who is just starting to scratch the surface of his tremendous potential,” said Skyiak.
“Wes is a diamond in the rough with huge upside and has the potential to become an NHL player,” said Prince George coach Ed Dempsey. “He has outstanding focus and commitment to the game and is really looking forward to the opportunity that the Seawolf hockey program has given him.”
Both Baldwin and McLeod are expected to join Alaska-Anchorage for the beginning of the 2009/10 hockey season.
