University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Falcon Sports

Falcon Sports Archive

Meet the Falcons

David Almquist
F, 5-11, 185, Junior
Duluth, Minn.
North Iowa, USHL


David Almquist returns to the Falcons as a solid two-way player. He has had two good years and finished with three goals and seven assists for 10 points last year. He had a good freshman season scoring six goals and two assists in 30 games. He had one game-winning goal. Almquist played with the North Iowa Huskies of the USHL before joining the Falcons. He helped Duluth East, Minn., High School to win the 1995 State Championship. He is the son of Reba and Bob and he has one sister. Almquist is majoring in sociology.

Year GP G A PTS PPG SHG GWG HT P-M
2000 29 3 7 10 1 0 0 0 18-36
1999 30 6 2 8 0 0 1 1 11-25
Totals 59 9 9 18 1 0 1 1 29-61

 

Jared Anderson
F, 6-1, 215, Senior
Bloomington, Minn.
Twin Cities, USHL


Jared Anderson returns for his final season with the Falcons and is looked at as one of the teamıs leaders. In 1999-2000 he finished with eight goals and seven assists for 15 points. But three of his goals were game-winners which shows he was able to score when the team needed a goal. In 1998-99 his 25 points put him second in scoring. As a freshman he was sixth in scoring. He has 11 power-play goals and seven game-winners in his career. He is an aggressive forward who goes hard to the net. Anderson is the teamıs captain again this year. Last year he received honorable mention to the All-WIAC team and was named the league's Player of the Week on Dec. 14. He received honorable mention to the all-NCHA and all-WIAC teams in 1999. Anderson has been named to the All-NCHA academic team the past two years and earned a perfect 4.0 GPA in the 1999 spring semester. He played with the Twin Cities Vulcans of the USHL where he scored 14 goals and eight assists in 1996-97. He is the son of Fern and Ralph and he has one brother and one sister. Anderson is majoring in accounting.


Year GP G A PTS PPG SHG GWG HT P-M
2000 29 8 7 15 1 0 3 0 9-19
1999 31 15 10 25 6 0 2 0 5-10
1998 31 10 12 22 4 0 2 0 4-8
Totals 91 33 29 62 11 0 7 0 18-37

 

 

Tim Beres
F, 6-0, 200, Sophomore
Waukesha, Wis.
Chicago, NAHL


Tim Beres played in just 19 games last year after missing several games with a broken jaw. He was able to return to the lineup and finished 1-3-4 in his first season with the Falcons. He played at Chicago in the NAHL in 1998-99. He played his high school hockey at Waukesha Catholic Memorial where he was given honorable mention to the all-conference team twice. He has the size to help the Falcons up front. He is the son of Debra and Donald and has one sister. Beres is majoring in marketing communications.

Year GP G A PTS PPG SHG GWG HT P-M
2000 19 1 3 4 0 0 0 0 7-14

 

 

Jeff Bernard
F, 5-11, 205, Senior
Enfield, Conn.
Rochester, USHL


Jeff Bernard is a tough, strong competitor who can score goals. He had his best year last year finishing with 17 goals and 20 assists for 37 points. He finished second in scoring and led the team with six power-play goals. He was named to the first All-WIAC team and was given honorable mention to the All-NCHA team last year. He was named the teamıs Most Valuable Player. He needs just 15 points to reach the 100-point career mark. Bernard had a great rookie campaign when he finished 10-19-29. He has oustanding puck handling skills and the talent to score from anywhere in the offensive zone. He played with the Rochester Mustangs of the USHL and had seven goals and eight assists before coming to UWRF. Bernard also competed with the US Select 17 team. He was named to the Dartmouth Prep all-tournament team. He is the son of Charlotte and Bertrand and has one sister. Bernard is majoring in business management.

Year GP G A PTS PPG SHG GWG HT P-M
2000 25 17 20 37 6 0 2 0 19-51
1999 30 8 11 19 1 0 1 1 10-26
1998 31 10 19 29 2 0 2 0 22-53
Totals 86 35 50 85 9 0 5 1 51-130

 

Carl Boben
F, 6-1, 205, Junior
Hibbing, Minn.
Omaha, USHL


Carl Boben is a gritty and physical two-way player. He finished with three goals and eight lassts for 11 points last year. He had one game-winning goal. He scored 11 points as a freshman. He scored four goals in a 5-1 win at St. Scholastica in 1999. Boben was twice named the teamıs Player of the Week as a freshman. He has good size and speed. Boben played three seasons in the USHL before attending UW-RF including two years with the Rochester Mustangs and one season with the Omaha Lancers. He won his teamıs Leadership Award in his second season at Rochester. He helped his high school team to a second place finish in the State Championships. He is the son of Rick Boben and Carol Garrity and he has one sister. Boben is majoring in sociology.

Year GP G A PTS PPG SHG GWG HT P-M
2000 25 3 8 11 0 0 1 0 4-8
1999 31 8 3 11 0 1 0 1 7-14
Totals 56 11 11 22 0 1 1 1 11-22




 

Brad Bolger
F, 6-2, 195, Freshman
Hazelton, B. C.
Fernie, AWHL


Brad Bolger joins the Falcons as a first-year forward who was a captain at Fernie in the AWHL last year. He has good size for the college game and will help the Falcons at both ends of the rink. He helped Fernie to the AWHL regular-season championship and a berth in the national tournament. At Prince George Secondary High School he was his team's captain and named the team's Most Inspirational Player. He is the son of Jim and Iona and has two brothers. Bolger is undecided on a major field of study.

 

Joe Dustin
D, 6-0, 200, Freshman
Vadnais Heights, Minn.
Billings, AWHL



Joe Dustin will help the Falcons on the blue line this year. He played the past two years at Billings in the AWHL where he had eight goals and seven assists last year. He was named his team's Most Improved Player in 1999 and played in the King of the Hill Tourney in 2000. He helped Billings to the 1999 league playoff championship and a berth in the National Tourney. At White Bear Lake High School he competed in the Minnesota State Tournament in 1996 and 1998. He is the son of Jim and Cindy and has two sisters. Dustin is undecided on a major field of study.

 

Matt Elsen
F, 6-0, 195, Freshman
Richfield, Minn.
Twin Cities, USHL


Matt Elsen is a talented forward who has good skills in all parts of the game. He helped the Twin Cities Vulcans win the National Championship last year when he scored nine goals and 16 assists. He won the team's Ron Woodey Award. At Richfield High School he was named to the All-Conference team twice. He is the son of Bob and Elaine and has two brothers and one sister. Elsen is majoring in health and human performance.

 

Shane Fukushima
F, 5-10, 200, Junior
Owatonna, Minn.
North Iowa, USHL


Shane Fukushima has put together two great seasons and is expected to continue that trend this year. In 2000 he led the Falcons in scoring with 41 points. His 25 assists led the team and his 16 goals were second. He scored the teamıs only two short-handed goals and his five power-play scores were second on the team. Fukushima was named to both the first All-NCHA and All-WIAC teams. As a freshman in 1999 his 16 points was second among first-year players. Fukushima, who played for the North Iowa Huskies of the USHL for two seasons, has exceptional speed and skill. He was named North Iowaıs Most Determined Player and winner of the Ironman Award. He helped the Huskies win the North Division title in 1997-98. Fukushima was twice named to the All-Conference team in high school. He is the son of Rosanne and Mas and he has two sisters. Fukushima is majoring in finance.

Year GP G A PTS PPG SHG GWG HT P-M
2000 29 16 25 41 5 2 1 0 4-16
1999 28 5 11 16 0 0 2 0 6-20
Totals 57 21 36 57 5 2 3 0 10-36

 

Pat Gundersen
D, 5-10, 175, Senior
Duluth, Minn.
North Iowa, USHL

Pat Gundersen had extended ice time on defense last year and will be looked to be a leader on the blue line this year. He missed several games last year with a broken hand, but returned to the lineup and played well. He finished 2-3-5 and had two power-play goals. In 1999 he had two assists. He handles the puck very well and can help the Falcons break out of the defensive zone. He was named to the All-Conference and All-Area high school teams and received honorable mention to the All-State team. He helped Duluth East High School win the 1995 State Championship and played in the Maroon and Gold game. He is the son of Mary and Paul and he has one brother. Gundersen is majoring in business finance.

Year GP G A PTS PPG SHG GWG HT P-M
2000 22 2 3 5 2 0 0 0 5-10
1999 20 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 2-4
Totals 42 2 5 7 2 0 0 0 7-14

 

Nick Hanrahan
F, 5-10, 185, Sophomore
Sun Prairie, Wis.
Great Falls, AWHL


Nick Hanrahan had a solid rookie season for the Falcons in 2000 and finished with three goals and two assists. He had two game-winning goals. He showed some solid skills with and without the puck and should help the team this winter. He played two years with Great Falls of the America West Hockey League. He finished 18-32-50 for the first-place Americans. He played in the King of the Hill Tournament. He helped lead his high school team to the Wisconsin State championship where he played for his father. He is the son of Vickie and Steve and has two brothers and one sister. Hanrahan is majoring in business management.

Year GP G A PTS PPG SHG GWG HT P-M
2000 29 3 2 5 0 0 2 0 11-22

 

Jess Johnson
F, 5-11, 175, Freshman
Bloomington, Minn.
Great Falls, AWHL


Jess Johnson joins the Falcons after playing at Great Falls in the AWHL last year. The gritty forward finished with 28 goals and 18 assists. He helped Great Falls to the finals of the AWHL playoffs. At Bloomington Kennedy High School he was named to the All-Conference team and received honorable mention to the All-State squad. He is the son of Bill and Deb and has two sisters. Johnson is majoring in business administration.

 

Eliot Komar
D, 6-0, 195, Senior
Seattle, Wash.
Green Bay, USHL


Eliot Komar has shown that he is one of the top defensemen in all of college hockey. His leadership and play at the blue line is a key to the teamıs success. He is a strong performer in the defensive zone where he plays a tough, hard-nosed style of hockey. Komarıs talents have been recognized the past two years with him being named to the first All-NCHA and All-WIAC teams. He was named the team's Player of the Week on Nov. 22. Last year he was 2-4-6 and has 41 career points. He has eight career power-play goals and four career game-winners. Komarıs 17 points in 1999 was tops among defensemen, and his five power-play goals was third on the team. He had a strong freshman season when he finished 4-14-18 and was an All-NCHA honorable mention player. He played with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL and helped his team win two national Junior titles. He played on the PeeWee Tier II national championship team in 1989 and was a member of Team Northwest in 1990. He played in the Chicago Showcase tourney from 1992-94. He is the son of Joyce and John and has one sister. Komar is majoring in education.

Year GP G A PTS PPG SHG GWG HT P-M
2000 29 2 4 6 1 0 2 0 18-36
1999 30 8 9 17 5 1 2 0 17-37
1998 28 4 14 18 2 0 0 0 21-50
Totals 87 14 27 41 8 1 4 0 56-123

 

Nate Kotewa
F, 5-10, 180, Sophomore
Fairmont, Minn.
Sioux City, USHL


Nate Kotewa played in 20 games last year and missed part of the season with an injury. Before coming to UWRF, he played the two years with Sioux City of the USHL where he scored 15 goals and 10 assists in 1999. He was his high school team's Most Valuable Player. He is the son of Marcia and Steve and he has one brother. Kotewa is majoring in health and human performance.

Year GP G A PTS PPG SHG GWG HT P-M
2000 20 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 10-20

 

Adam Kragthorpe
D, 5-11, 205, Sophomore
Plymouth, Minn.
Dubuque, USHL


Adam Kragthorpe had a strong first year for the Falcons and was one of the team's leaders on the blue line. He played in every game and finished with three goals and seven assists for 10 points. He had one power-play goal and one game-winner. He is a talented player who helps the Falcons at both ends of the rink. He impressed the rest of the NCHA coaches by being named to the first All-NCHA team and he was given honorable mention to the All-WIAC squad. He played with Dubuque of the USHL and was named the teamıs Defensive Player of the Week once. In high school he was named to the All-Conference team, was his teamıs Most Valuable Player and was named the teamıs Best Defenseman. He is the son of Monica and John and has one brother. He is majoring in health and human performance.

Year GP G A PTS PPG SHG GWG HT P-M
2000 29 3 7 10 1 0 1 0 23-46

 

Landon Luther
G, 6-2, 200, Freshman
White Bear Lake, Minn.
Des Moines, USHL


Landon Luther is in his second year with the Falcons but was red-shirted last year and has four years of eligibility remaining. He is a skilled goalie with a great work ethic. Before arriving at UWRF he played with Des Moines of the USHL. He helped the Bucs to a second place finish in the national tournament in 1999. Luther was named his teamıs Most Improved Player after his first year of juniors. He was twice named to his high schoolıs All-Conference team and was voted the teamıs Most Determined Player twice. He helped his team to the Minnesota State tournament twice. He is the son of Donna and Leon and he has two sisters. He is majoring in business.

 

Dan Miller
F, 6-2, 198, Freshman
Mahtomedi, Minn.
Twin Cities, USHL


Dan Miller is a big, talented forward who will help the Falcon in the offensive part of the game. He helped lead the Twin Cities Vulcans to the National Championship last year when he scored 12 goals and had 14 assists. At Hill-Murray High School he was named to the All-Conference team twice and received All-State honorable mention honors. He is the son of Robert and Lenore and has two brothers. Miller is majoring in business.

 

Rob Novak
F, 5-7, 155, Freshman
Hayward, Wis.
Des Moines, USHL


Rob Novak has good skills with the puck. He joins the Falcons after playing at Des Moines in the USHL. He helped the Bucs win the Clark Cup and Anderson Cup in his first year there. Novak was a team leader at Hayward High School and considered one of the top players in the state. He is the son of William and Georgia and has one sister. Novak is majoring in elementary education.

 

Ryan Saverine
D, 6-5, 245, Junior
Waukesha, Wis.
Green Bay, USHL


Ryan Saverine had his best season for the Falcons last year and was named the teamıs Most Improved Player. He uses his size to command respect and uses it to his advantage in both the offensive and defensive zones. He has 10 career points and finished 2-4-6 last year with one game-winning goal in 26 contests. Saverine, who played with Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL for two seasons and won a national title, will play an important role for the Falcons this winter. He is the son of Linda and Ralph and he has one brother and one sister. Saverine is majoring in business.

Year GP G A PTS PPG SHG GWG HT P-M
2000 26 2 4 6 0 0 1 0 11-30
1999 19 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 12-32
Totals 45 2 8 10 0 0 1 0 23-62

 

Tyler Sawchyn
D, 5-10, 175, Freshman
Superior, Wis.
Green Bay, USHL


Tyler Sawchyn joins the Falcons this year as a defenseman. He played three seasons with Green Bay of the USHL where he helped the Gamblers win a playoff championship. He scored two goals and added nine assists last year. At Superior High School he was his team's captain and was named to the All-State team. He is the son of Rendell Sawchyn and Linda and Gary Antonich. He has one sister. Sawchyn is majoring in business.

 

Matt Schneider
F, 5-11, 180, Sophomore
Hudson, Wis.
Great Falls, AWHL


Matt Schneider returns for his second year with the Falcons. He is a solid forward who makes great decisions at both ends of the ice. Schneider has a good feel for the game and has developed an outstanding hockey sense. Before joining the Falcons he played two years with Great Falls in the America West Hockey League. Schneider was the Great Falls Rookie of the Year in 1998. He helped the Americans to the league title in 1999. At Hudson High School he was named to the All-Conference team three times and was the conferenceıs Player of the Year in 1997. He was named to the All-State team as a junior and senior. He is the son of Jean and Phil and has two brothers and one sister. Schneider is undecided on a major field of study.

Year GP G A PTS PPG SHG GWG HT P-M
2000 16 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0-0

 

Jamie Steinert
F, 6-1, 195, Freshman
Maple Grove, Minn.
Twin Cities, USHL


Jamie Steinert is a solid, hard-working two-way forward who helped the Twin Cities Vulcans win the National Championship last year. He scored nine goals and 17 assists last year. He won the team's Ron Woodey Award. At Osseo High School he was named to the All-Conference team twice and was twice named the team's Most Valuable Player. He is the son of Ron and Peggy and has two brothers. Steinert is majoring in business.

 

Erik Ste. Marie
D, 5-8, 180, Freshman
Bloomington, Minn.
Rochester, USHL

Erik Ste. Marie is a physical, stay-at-home defenseman who will help the Falcons on the blue line. He played with Rochester of the USHL where he had 14 assists last year. He led the Mustangs in blocked shots. He played at Bloomington Jefferson High School where he was named his team's Most Improved Player twice. He is the son of Stephen and Karan and has one brother and one sister. Ste. Marie is undecided on a major field of study.

 

Evan Stensrud
F, 6-1, 177, Sophomore
Minnetonka, Minn.
Fargo-Moorhead, USHL


Evan Stensrud joins the Falcons after playing at the University of Connecticut last year. He played with both Dubuque and Fargo-Moorhead of the USHL He was named his team's Rookie of the Year in 1998 and was named to the USHL All-Star team in 1999. He was Connecticut's Rookie of the Year last year. At Minnetonka High School he was given All-State honorable mention honors. He set a single-season points record (66). He was named the team's Most Valuable Player and was named to the All-Conference team. He is the son of Barry and Nancy and has one brother and two sisters. Stensrud is majoring in business.

 

Kris Unise
G, 5-10, 185, Freshman
St. Paul, Minn.
Cretin-Derham Hall High School


Kris Unise joins the Falcons as a goaltender. At Cretin-Derham Hall High School he had a 20-3-1 record, a 1.98 goals against average and a .935 save percentage last year. He was named to the All-Conference team three times, to the All-State team twice and was the team's Most Valuable Player twice. He is the son of John and Sandy and has one brother. Unise is undecided on a major field of study.

 

Jacque Vezina
G, 5-10, 185, Sophomore
Hudson, Wis.
Great Falls, AWHL


Jacque Vezina had a successful first year for the Falcons and started the final 15 games of the season and had a 9-6-1 record during that stretch. For the year he placed in 22 games and finished 12-8-2 with a 2.92 goals against average and a .916 saves percentage. He recorded one shutout, a 3-0 win over Gustavus Adolphus. Vezina finished fifth in the nation in saves percentage. He was given honorable mention to the All-NCHA and All-WIAC teams and was named the NCHA's and WIAC's Player of the Week on Feb. 7. He played the two years at Great Falls of the America West Hockey league where he helped lead the Americans to the league championship in 1999. He was named the AWHLıs Most Valuable Player when he had a 32-13-3 record, a 2.81 goals against average and a .910 saves percentage. Vezina set a league record for most wins and minutes played in 1999. He played in the 1998 King of the Hill tournament and was an AWHL first-team All-Star. In high school he was named to the All-State and All-Conference teams twice. He is the son of Mary and Doug. Vezina is majoring in psychology.

Year GP MP W-L-T PCT GA GAA S S% SO
2000 22 1337 12-8-2 .590 65 2.92 710 .916 1

 

 

Ryan Vieau
D, 5-11, 170, Sophomore
Duluth, Minn.
Fernie, AWHL


Ryan Vieau is a tremendous skater with oustanding passing skills and will help the Falcons on the blue line. He helped lead Fernie of the AWHL to the league's regular-season and playoff championships. Vieau scored nine goals and had 31 assists last year. He was Fernie's Defenseman of the Year and a team captain. He was named to the AWHL's All-Star team and played in the King of the Hill Tourney. He is the son of Mark and Sheryl and has one brother and one sister. Vieau is majoring in business.