April 10, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
Chisago City native Chad Anderson finds his niche in Las Vegas
Chisago City native Chad Anderson finds his niche in Las Vegas
"If you would have told me at the beginning of last summer that I would wind up with the Philadelphia Phantoms in the AHL (American Hockey League) I would have told you that would be great," Anderson said. "I am proud to be a part of the great organization that is the Philadelphia Phantoms and their parent club, the Philadelphia Flyers."
After completing a successful college hockey career in the WCHA with the University of Alaska-Anchorage last year, Anderson played two games for the East Coast Hockey League's Las Vegas Wranglers.
"Playing those two games really showed me what it would be like to play at the next level," Anderson said. "Hockey was always something I wanted to play professionally and that experience showed me that I should give it a try."
Anderson currently has 10 points (one goal, nine assists) and is +8 in 50 games for the Phantoms, who are locked in a heated race with instate rival Wilkes Barre/Scranton for supremacy in the AHL East Division.
"It was hard to crack the line-up in the beginning of the season," Anderson said. "We had so much depth at defense, like nine or 10 guys, so we all couldn't play. As guys either got called up or traded I was able to take on more of a role with this team."
Anderson's junior career began in 2000 as a member of the United States Hockey League's (USHL) Tri-City Storm. In three seasons with the franchise based in Kearney, Nebraska, Anderson collected 52 points (11 goals, 31 assists) in 170 games with the Storm, improving each season. In his final USHL season in 2002-03, Anderson scored eight times and added 20 helpers. He also took 119 penalty minutes, 32 more than his first two seasons.
"I was one of the bigger guys on the team and they wanted me to protect the younger guys, so I did," Anderson said. "I just went out there and did my job."
His career caught the attention of the University of Alaska-Anchorage, earning Anderson a full time spot on the blue line his freshman year of 2003-04.
"Alaska-Anchorage has a system where they believe in you," Anderson said. "They bring you in and start playing you right away. It's not like that with some other schools. I was grateful for that opportunity."
Anderson suited up for 138 games as a member of the Seawolves, recording 49 points (16 goals, 33 assists). During his senior season, Anderson led all defensemen on his team with 20 points and tied for 15th overall amongst all WCHA defensemen. Highlights of his senior season included a game winner over Minnesota-Duluth, a two goal, three point night in a 6-1 drubbing of Minnesota State and finishing second in the conference in penalty minutes with 96.
"In the WCHA you are playing against some of the top college players from the United States and Canada," Anderson said. "It helps to prepare you for this level. In the AHL, players are bigger, stronger and faster. I just had to make a few adjustments and I feel fine out there."
Like many Minnesota boys, Anderson dreamed of one day playing for the Gophers. Even though that did not happen, Alaska-Anchorage games at the U gave him part of that experience.
"It doesn't matter how the team was doing or how I was feeling, when it came time to play Minnesota, I just got up for those games. It's hard not to. With all of that tradition, I just wanted to go out there and show the fans that I could compete."
The 25-year old's contract expires at the end of the season. Though not under an NHL contract currently, Anderson hopes to be under one next season. The graduate of Chisago Lakes High School is six credits shy of completing his bachelor's degree. Anderson is taking online courses to complete it.
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