Eric Rud Takes Helm of Alaska Anchorage Hockey Program

Eric Rud is learning that life in Anchorage involves more than just managing a Division I hockey roster.

After growing up near the Mississippi River in Inver Grove Heights, the Simley High School alumnus recently discovered that his new driveway is a frequent stop for Alaskan wildlife, including brown bears.

The former St. Cloud State assistant coach is now managing the complexities of leading the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Seawolves. According to a report from the Pioneer Press, Rud is managing a program that faces logistical hurdles, ranging from six-hour flights to the extreme darkness of Alaskan winters, where the sun may only appear briefly during the coming month.

“We saw a few black bears to start, and that was like, ‘Whatever,’” Rud said Tuesday following a practice at the 3M Arena at Mariucci, Twin Cities reported. “Then, all of a sudden, on the camera at night, there was a brown bear, and I was like, ‘Oh no.’”

Rebuilding a storied program

The Seawolves are currently working to reclaim the stability they held decades ago. The program, which began in 1979, saw a period of success in the early 1990s when the team qualified for the NCAA tournament for three consecutive seasons. However, a combination of declining attendance, on-ice performance issues, and the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led school administrators to disband the program in 2020.

After a one-year hiatus, a successful fundraising effort brought the team back to life. Now in their sixth season as an NCAA independent program, the Seawolves are attempting to rebuild their presence in college hockey. Rud, 53, brings over 15 years of experience as an assistant coach at various levels, including stints at Colorado College and St. Cloud State, to this rebuilding effort.

“He’s a guy I have a ton of respect for, and I know he’s going to rebuild that program and get it headed in the right direction,” said Brett Larson, the current Gophers head coach.

While the team carries a 1-9-0 record into their upcoming weekend series in Minneapolis, the coaching staff remains focused on long-term development. Larson said that despite the current record, the team is prepared and should not be overlooked by opponents.

Logistics and recruiting in the Last Frontier

Operating as an independent program presents unique challenges for recruiting and scheduling. Because the Seawolves do not belong to a traditional conference, they often play remote schedules. This week, the team is operating out of a Minneapolis hotel while playing series against St. Thomas and Minnesota.

Recruiting also requires a different approach in Anchorage. Rud has relied heavily on video calls and Zoom interviews, as he has yet to host an official on-campus visit for a recruit. However, the location offers a specific draw for players from Western Canada. For a prospect in Alberta, Anchorage is a much shorter trip than traveling to the East Coast.

The physical environment remains a constant variable for the players. While Anchorage winters can be milder than those in Minnesota due to Pacific ocean currents, the seasonal shift brings intense darkness. By next month, much of the state will experience 18 or more hours of darkness each day.

Rud's family moves to Alaska before facing his son

The transition to Alaska was a family decision. While the prospect of moving so far from Minnesota initially concerned Rud’s wife, Amy, a summer trip to the state in 2024 helped the family fall in love with the region. The move also brings a unique personal dynamic to the upcoming schedule.

On Nov. 20, Rud will face his son, 23-year-old Max, when UAA travels to play the Nanooks. Max, a junior defenseman, previously spent two seasons in Minneapolis playing part-time for the Gophers.

“I’ve coached Max, but I’ve never coached against him, so that will be really fun,” Rud said. “My wife is stressed out, and I said, ‘There’s no reason for you to be stressed. You cheer for your son.’”

The evolving nature of college athletics also looms large. The NCAA’s relaxed transfer rules present an unpredictable environment for programs like UAA. Rud said that coaches are currently taking things one year at a time, as it is difficult to determine how long a player will remain on a roster under the current regulations.

The Seawolves currently play in an 800-seat on-campus arena, though there are discussions regarding a new campus arena to assist in future recruiting efforts. For now, the program relies on the passion of local supporters and the resilience of a roster learning to thrive in one of the most unique environments in college sports.