Alaska Goaltending Academy prides itself in having the highest qualified staff members. Many have Division one college and Professional playing or coaching experience.
Wylie Rogers, Lead Anchorage Instructor
Coach Rogers grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska where he quickly was recognized as one of the best goalies in the country. He spent a season playing for Team USA with the NTDP before accepting a full ride scholarship to play for his hometown University of Alaska Nanooks. After college, Wylie had a very successful 4-year pro hockey career before hanging up his skates to once again attend the University of Alaska. This time around Coach Rogers was a masters student as well as goaltending coach for the division-one team. As part of his master’s program, Wylie invented The Wylie Post a modern ice hockey peg that is coined a goalie’s best friend. It allows for the modern style of goaltending to be used more effectively. Currently, Wylie serves as USA Hockey’s Goaltending Development Coordinator for Alaska. Learn more about Coach Rogers at his website: http://www.thewyliepost.com
Eric Yancey, Lead Fairbanks Instructor
Eric is a local Alaskan who spent his minor hockey days between Fairbanks and Eagle River. He was one of Coach Thompson’s first students and showed a lot of promise but unfortunately ran into injury problems which led to early retirement. After four knee surgeries, Coach Yancey decided to give hockey one more push and was part of Chugiak High’s first state championship in 20 years and through that success accepted an offer to play in Wenatchee, Washington. Unfortunately not too far into his season with Wenatchee Eric needed a third knee surgery which ended his playing days for good. Since retirement, Coach Yancey has been a full-time employee of Alaska Goaltending Academy and runs the Fairbanks operations. Coach Yancey is also the goalie coach for the UAF Nanooks.
Bryce Christianson
Coach Christianson is a local of Anchorage, Alaska. He played his junior hockey in the NAHL, USHL, and BCHL before accepting a scholarship to play in net for the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. After college, Bryce spent time playing professionally in the ECHL before retiring from playing to coach. Coach Bryce has been a huge contributor to the Anchorage community through countless volunteer programs such as a 3 on 3 pond hockey tournament he started to raise money for local charities.
Stefan Sanders
Stefan followed in his older brother’s footsteps by deciding to mind the net. After seeing the time his brother put into comp. teams his parents opted to start him off in House league. After seeing that Stefan loved the game and excelled at the position is parents decided he should proceed into comp. programs. Here he was privileged to be coached by his brother, freshly back from Colorado College, it was then he learned the value of goalie coaching. Stefan went on to play at Service, where he spent his senior year ranked as the top keeper in the state.
During that period he also joined the Arctic Ice and participated in a National Championship and two more years of penalty killing practice. He had the honor of being asked to join a development camp associated with the San Jose Sharks, but that, along with a red shirt position at Bemidji Sate, evaporated with the third knee surgery. After a decade long hiatus Stefan returned to the red pipes and has been thoroughly enjoying the adult-hockey leagues.
Isaiah Saville
Coach Saville is a standout student/coach who has been a great role model for our goalies. Isaiah is an Anchorage local who won a state championship at West High before moving on to play in Colorado and Minnesota. Isaiah has represented Team USA twice on the world stage winning a gold and bronze medal. This season Saville will play in the USHL for the Tri-City Storm before heading to the University of Nebraska Omaha.
Jeremy Swayman
Coach Swayman is a current student/coach and one of Alaska’s rising stars. Last season Jeremy was a freshman standout at the University of Maine and after a great first semester of play, he earned a spot on Team USA to compete in the World Junior Championships winning a bronze medal. Prior to Maine, Coach Swayman was drafted in the 4th round of the NHL draft by the Boston Bruins. Jeremy is passionate about giving back to his community and loves working with the kids during the summer camps in Anchorage.
Nick Halverson, Strength Coach
Coach Halverson was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. Starting at a very young age he fell in love with playing sports. Growing up with four older brothers enabled him to gain toughness, work ethic, and maturity. This helped him tremendously in the sports that he played. He started to excel in hockey and starting playing competitively at age 6. He was fortunate enough to play on and against some great teams, with and against some great players.
After high school, he attended Arizona State University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Wellness. After graduating he moved back to Alaska and immediately began working in the fitness industry. Coach Halverson now has almost 8 years of experience ranging from Personal Training and Sports Performance Training to Nutrition and Management. He has learned through the years that he truly enjoys helping young athletes improve their performance. No matter what sport it is, he wants to help future athletes of Alaska improve their level of performance to enable them to play their sport at the next level. If you would like to check his gym, out go to https://rysfitness.joinvint.com/activities.
PD Melgoza
Coach Pd comes to Anchorage Alaska from Long Beach, California. Growing up in Long Beach he played for the LA Jr. Kings Organization as well as the California Wave. After youth hockey he played Juniors in the EJHL, and the SIJHL in Ontario. Following his playing career he got into coaching with the LA Jr. Kings as well as with USA Hockey as a GDC in Southern California. The past two summers he has helped with prospect camps under Creative Arts Agency, skill development with Pro hockey players and worked with Calgary Flame’s former development goalie coach Colin Zuliano under ZGA. This summer he accepted a job with the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves as Head goalie coach and Assistant to hockey operations. He brings a wide range of knowledge and is continually growing as a coach, trying to learn everyday so he can help future goaltenders achieve their goals and reach new heights.
Alaska goaltending academy is unmatched to other goalie schools throughout the country. Steve is an amazing mentor and friend to all of the goalies that come through the camp each year. His cutting edge techniques allow each goalie to be successful at their game and provides them with the tools that are necessary for the next level. The on and off ice training provides skills to enhance the fundamentals to be an elite goalie.