Alaska-Anchorage assistant captain John Hopson has quit the team and returned home, and sophomore defenseman Matt Hanson was ruled academically ineligible, according to the Anchorage Daily News.
Hopson told the coaches he was leaving after everyone returned from the holiday break.
“He basically said he wasn’t happy with his ice time and was leaving the team,” UAA coach John Hill told the Daily News. “I think it caught everyone off guard, maybe his teammates more than anyone.”
Alaska-Anchorage is coming off a three-game winning streak; Hopson had three goals and six points in that span. The right winger from Prince George, British Columbia, was a regular on the power play. He had seven goals his freshman season, and 10 as a sophomore.
According to the paper, the move came as a surprise to everyone.
Hanson had seven goals and 17 points last season as a freshman, but his production dropped to just two assists in 15 games this year. Hanson would be eligible to return next fall.
The departures of Hopson and Hanson leave the Seawolves (7-7-0) with just 19 eligible skaters.
There has also been some question as to whether Hill would make the team’s next trip, this weekend to Grand Forks to take on North Dakota. Hill has undergone two back surgeries, and told the paper that his back is hurting more than ever. He does expect, however, to make the trip.
