Alaska-Fairbanks wasted no time filling its head coach opening, tabbing former assistant and UAF alum Tavis MacMillan. He succeeds Guy Gadowsky, who was named the new coach at Princeton earlier today.
“I have such mixed emotions about this opportunity,” said MacMillan. “Guy has been an instrumental part of my coaching career and I have been blessed to work with him. At the same time I am very excited and energized by the challenge of continuing this program down the path of success.
“I have worn the Nanook Blue and Gold and I take great pride in the opportunity to lead this team. I foresee this being a seamless transition because Guy and I share many similar values on what this program should represent.”
MacMillan has served for the past year in the UAF athletic department as compliance coordinator.
UAF Director of Athletics Dr. Cory Schwartz said,
“Tavis brings to our program the perspective of an alum, the guidance of a seasoned veteran and the energy of a long-time hockey professional ready to take advantage of a new opportunity,” said UAF athletic director Cory Schwartz. “With the administrative experience Tavis has gained in the last year, he is primed to take over a program on the way up. I’m confident that Tavis will continue that progress.”
MacMillan served for seven years as an assistant coach for the UAF Hockey program. He is UAF’s fourth all-time leading scorer with 192 career points. He tied teammate Dean Fedorchuk for the NCAA scoring crown (74 points) during the 1993-94 season. During his UAF career, MacMillan also earned MVP and scholar-athlete honors.
Following graduation, MacMillan played professional hockey during the 1994-95 season with the Greensboro Monarchs in the East Coast Hockey League and the Alaska Gold Kings in the West Coast Hockey League. MacMillan was the player/assistant general manager for the Gold Kings in 1995-96 where he assisted with player recruitment and management, marketing, promotions and overall day-to-day operations. MacMillan also played one summer season for the San Jose Rhinos in the Roller Hockey International League with Gadowsky.
A native of Eastend, Saskatchewan, MacMillan was a four-year honor roll student at Bert Church High School in Airdrie, Alberta and a 1995 graduate of UAF with a Bachelor’s degree in Business.
