Finally back from a long, long time off – oh, yeah, you know I’m absolutely psyched; no, make that super-psyched to be back in the office, especially because the newspaper biz is so awesome these days – so I’ll try to play catch-up on the pucks front in the next few weeks.

We’ll start with the college crew – UAA released its roster and a pack o’ info today, and it looks like coach Dave Shyiak has bagged a couple more recruits, and also lost a couple of guys who are not returning.

First, the dudes who hit the road – not on the roster are forwards Tyler Moir, who would have been a sophomore, and Brian Bales of Anchorage, who would have been a senior. Each scored just one goal last season, though Bales’ 15 assists in 34 games made him the team’s fifth-leading point producer. (Already through the exits among regulars in the lineup were center Paul Crowder, who turned pro; defensemen Mat Robinson and Shane Lovdahl; and winger Jeremy Smith – all exhausted their eligibility). It’s worth noting the Seawolves head into 2009-10 having lost a mere 21.1-percent of their goal scoring from last season – that’s a pretty soft blow to absorb.

Bales’ No. 40 sweater will be assumed by incoming freshman forward Daniel Naslund of Sweden. Last season for Vasteras in his home country’s Under-20 SuperElit league, he tied for 11th on the circuit in goals and tied for 21st in points with 19-19—38 totals in 42 games. Big lad, too, checking in at 6-3, 205. Another name I had not seen before is freshman forward Mitch Bruijsten, a 6-3, 200-pounder from the Netherlands who played last season for Sioux City of the USHL and earned 16-25—41 totals in 51 games.

Size evidently matters to Shyiak – besides the two guys from across the pond, the coach also is adding size in freshman defenseman Lee Baldwin (6-3, 210), freshman forward Chris Crowell (6-2, 205) and freshman forward Mickey Spencer (6-1, 180). Other newcomers, and decently-sized with, presumably, room to put on muscle, are forwards Alex Gellert (6-1, 170), Tyler Currier of Anchorage (6-1, 190). Swingman Brad Gorham (6-1, 195) of Anchorage, eligible after sitting out last season following his transfer from Ohio State, also is on the roster.

The only guys on the small side are freshman defenseman Drew Darwitz (5-9, 175) and transfer defenseman Scott Warner of Anchorage (5-9, 175). I’m assuming Warner will be sitting out the upcoming season as required by NCAA rules following his transfer from Army.

Baldwin and Darwitz both bring strong numbers to the lineup – Baldwin led all British Columbia Hockey League blueliners in scoring with 13-41—54 totals in 56 games for the Victoria Grizzlies, and Darwitz led all North America Hockey League blueliners in scoring with 2-37—39 totals in 55 games for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs.

Here are last season’s stats for the other incoming freshmen, and, remember, only 63 days left until the Seawolves’ season opener, a Kendall Hockey Classic match against Mercyhurst at Sullivan Arena on Oct. 9:

Warner, Army, 6-3—9 in 24 games.

Spencer, Cowichan Valley, BCHL, 31-23—54 in 60 games (tied for 10th in league in goals).

Crowell, Vernon Vipers, BCHL, 12-31—43 in 58 games.

Gellert, Cowichan Valley, BCHL, 24-31—55 in 59 games.

Currier, Alaska Avalanche, NAHL, 15-23—38 in 56 games (led team in points).

Gorham, 2007-08, Ohio State, 1-1—2 in 12 games.