Whether you are a player or staff, no matter your position, at UAA, you’re family.

In this episode, David welcomes Doug Spooner and Kevin Kuper back on the podcast to share with listeners the progress they’ve made so far with the mentorship program. They explain why this program is so important to them and to the team’s future success.

David, Spooner, and Kup discuss: 

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• The milestones they have achieved since starting the mentorship program.
  
• How a resume can make all the difference when starting your career.
  
• Why its important for the players to get their foot in the door and how the program can help them do that.
  
• And more
  

Connect with David: 

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• LinkedIn: David Vallieres
  
• LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
  
• Seawolf Hockey Alumni
  

About Kevin: 

Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Kuper attended UAA and shortly after became part of the Seawolf Hockey family working as the equipment manager from ‘86 to ‘91. This position gave him the opportunity to travel to Japan with the team and become a part of the brotherhood. 

Since his time at UAA, Kup has moved across the country to California. He’s started his own business working as a supply chain consultant helping businesses optimize their supply chain and operations. 

About Doug:

With a knack for the net like few others, Doug Spooner [1987-91] thrilled UAA fans for four seasons, tallying a near-record number of goals and helping UAA to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments.

Utilizing his solid frame and soft scoring touch, the Cache Creek, British Columbia, native was a staple of Seawolf teams that compiled four straight winning seasons, including 21- and 22-victory campaigns in 1989-90 and 1990-91. UAA’s 1987-88 Rookie of the Year, 1988-89 Leon Thompson Fan Favorite and 1990-91 team captain tallied 23 goals in both his sophomore and junior seasons, still tied for No. 6 on the all-time list.

Spooner’s 75 career goals left him just one shy of equaling the program record – a mark he likely would have topped had he not missed 13 games to injury as a senior. His 148 points and 73 assists both also rank in UAA’s career top 10 more than 20 years after his playing days, while his 50 points as a sophomore are still tied for 9th on the single-season list.

Playing on the same team – although often on different lines – with fellow Seawolf Hall-of-Famers Rob Conn, Dean Larson and Derek Donald, he was a vital part of the program’s first to NCAA Tournament teams in 1990 and 1991.

Spooner graduated in 1991 with a bachelor of arts in justice. He currently lives in League City, Texas.