Shyiak leaves NMU for Alaska-Anchorage

Northern Michigan associate head coach Dave Shyiak has been named the new head coach at Alaska-Anchorage, replacing John Hill who left to take an assistant's position at Minnesota.

Shyiak was an assistant for 10 seasons with the Wildcats, including the past three as the associate head coach.

At NMU, Shyiak has helped guide the Wildcats to seven 20-win seasons, six Central Collegiate Hockey Association Super Six tournament berths and one NCAA tournament appearance (1998-99). The Wildcats have averaged over 20 wins a season under Shyiak’s tenure. NMU was a member of the WCHA during Shyiak’s first three seasons as an assistant.

“My family and I are extremely excited to have this opportunity. We can’t wait to get to Anchorage to begin building relationships with the team, the staff and the community,” Shyiak said. “My vision and passion for this position remains the same as it was four years ago when I applied — UAA hockey has great potential to grow and have success. John (Hill) has created a very stable foundation and both Jack (Kowal) and Keith’s (Morris) recruiting efforts have resulted in upgrading the talent level. I am particularly grateful to Dr. Cobb and the UAA administration for this opportunity. Everyone has treated me first class.”

Northern Michigan head coach Walt Kyle was happy to hear of the promotion, yet down at the same time.

“I’m extremely happy for Dave and his family," Kyle said. "This is a big loss for our program — he’s been such a part of NMU hockey, both as a player and as a coach and has done a great job for us. Anchorage is getting a great man who will do an excellent job.”

A co-captain on NMU’s 1991 NCAA Championship team, Shyiak also claimed two WCHA Tournament titles (1989 and 1991) and one WCHA regular-season title (1991) as a player. He earned WCHA All-Academic Team accolades in 1988. He earned a bachelors of science in Physical Education from Northern Michigan in 1993.

The 38-year-old Shyiak was a finalist for the UAA head coaching position in 2001. He and his wife Lucia are the parents of two sons - Kristian (1) and Sheldon (newborn).

For the Northern Michigan release follow the link:
http://newsbureau.nmu.edu/wildcats/story.cfm?storyid=1169.

For the Alaska Anchorage release follow the link: http://www.goseawolves.com/index.cfm?fuseAction=readStory&story_id=2033.