ALBUQUERQUE – Welcome to the latest edition of the Ice Wolves Den. This week we’re featuring one of the newest NA3HL Ice Wolves, Dantae Hunziker.
Dantae was born and raised in Alaska but played last season for an elite youth program, “I was born in Fairbanks, we moved to Anchorage 3-4 years ago for hockey, we billeted one of my teammates. I played for Team Alaska for 3 years.” Dantae said, “”Last season I got to play for Little Caesars in Detroit. That was great, we had a really good team and coaches. It was a huge change from Team Alaska which is what I was hoping for.”
Ice Wolves Head Coach Darren Banks says Dantae’s development was important, “Dantae is a competitor, he’s played for some great programs, Team Alaska, last year with Little Caesars. We just expect him to keep competing and getting better every day.” Banks continued, “We’ve had a great run of Alaska players, Fletcher Burnett, Spencer Lund, Edward Gregorin, now Dantae. They have a great program and we’ve had some good luck in that market.”
Dantae said Gregorin is what brought him to New Mexico and he’s impressed with the fan base, “I played with him for 3 years, I felt coming here would help me develop more. I get to play with one of my best buddies too so that’s a plus.” Dantae continued, “This is one of the biggest crowds I’ve ever played in front of. It was awesome. The community really loves hockey here. We’re a 3HL team and you don’t usually see this many people showing up for those games. This is really special. Seeing them raise the banner is true motivation, I’m looking to help bring the Fraser Cup to Albuquerque and bring it in front of that crowd.”
he NAHL Ice Wolves struggles have continued, dropping a pair this past weekend to Shreveport 2-0 on Friday and 6-0 on Saturday. Saturday was highlighted by a small brawl at the end of the first period that saw Andrew Seminara of the Mudbugs and Max Matthews each get a Fighting Major and a Game Misconduct and Andy Earl of the Ice Wolves receiving a Fighting Major and a Game Misconduct for leaving the bench.
The 3HL Ice Wolves are back at the Outpost this weekend taking on the Austin Ice Bats, game times Friday and Saturday are 6:30, Sunday at 2.
Photos courtesy of Scott Adamson and the New Mexico Ice Wolves.
