On the face of it, UAA's hockey recruiting class announced Tuesday numbers six — four defensemen, two forwards.
But the Seawolves also gain the services of the Renouf twins, Jonah and Nathan, forwards who have served their transfer season after leaving Quinnipiac and will be eligible next season. So, newcomers effectively number eight.
Yet, winger Cam Amantea, who played five games last season before a shoulder injury — and eventual surgery — derailed him, is expected to back at full strength in the fall. He's also expected to have a medical redshirt season approved by the NCAA to give him four remaining seasons of eligibility. So, call it a recruiting class numbering nine.
But the Seawolves' additions are offset by noteworthy subtractions. UAA coach Matt Thomas on Tuesday said defenseman Wyatt Ege, a Western Collegiate Hockey Association All-Rookie pick, and winger Anthony Conti, the team's fourth-leading scorer as a sophomore last season, both have left the program.
The loss of Ege strips UAA of a blueliner who played in all situations and delivered 13 points in 34 games. Conti generated 15 points in 30 games and his six goals ranked fifth on the team.
In any event, Thomas hopes the six new recruits, plus the Renouf twins and Amantea, can strengthen UAA's special teams, which last season proved weak. Those deficiencies showed in an overall record of 11-20-3 and a ninth-place finish — and second straight season outside the league playoffs — in the 10-team WCHA at 8-18-2.
Seawolves specials teams in combined statistics ranked 59th among 60 Division I teams. The power play converted 10.0 percent of opportunities and ranked 59th. UAA's 79.4-percent penalty-killing checked in at 46th.
"Our power play obviously struggled and we needed to address that, and our penalty-killing needs to be better too,'' Thomas said.
Thomas and staff hope the Renouf twins and incoming Finnish forward Aleksi Ainali, plus two Finnish defensemen, newcomers Julius Marva and Tomi Hiekkavirta, can bolster the power play.
On the flip side, the staff expects incoming defensemen Nolan Nicholas and David Trinkberger, and forward Corey Renwick, to improve the penalty-killing crew.
Finns make up half the official recruiting class. Thomas said a program like his must look beyond North American junior leagues since players are making college commitments at younger ages, often before they even hit the junior ranks.
"For us to get a high-level skill player who can have an impact, we need to look elsewhere than junior hockey in North America right now,'' Thomas said.
The Renouf twins excelled in their final season with the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League: 20-41—61 totals in 53 games for Jonah, 15-34—49 totals in 40 games for Nathan.
Still, they did not play a game at Quinnipiac and had to sit out last season under NCAA transfer rules, though they did practice with the Seawolves. By the time next season opens, the Renoufs will not have played an official game in two years and seven months.
Here's the breakdown of UAA's six incoming recruits:
D Julius Marva, Lukka U-20 team, Finland: Marva, a 6-foot-2, 175-pounder, earned 8-22—30 totals in 49 games and ranked fifth in points among league defensemen.
D Tomi Hiekkavirta, HIFK U-20 team, Finland: The 5-11, 165-pounder was ninth on his junior circuit in points by defensemen with 9-18—27 totals in 45 games.
D Nolan Nicholas, Sioux Falls Stampede, USHL: The 5-11, 196-pounder is envisioned as a shut-down defenseman. Totaled 1-6—7 in 59 games.
D David Trinkberger, Sioux City Musketeers, USHL: The 6-5, 210-pounder — 1-1—2 totals in 43 games — is likewise seen as a defensive defenseman. UAA hopes he and Nicholas are suitable replacements for Austin Sevalrud and Chris Williams, who both graduated.
C Aleksi Ainali, Jokerit U-20 team, Finland: The 5-11, 201-pounder led Finland's junior A circuit in scoring with 17-50—69 totals in 50 games. UAA hopes he can boost the power play.
F Corey Renwick, Nanaimo Clippers, BCHL: A 6-1, 190-pound forward will likely kill penalties and match up against top opposing lines. Registered 9-20—29 totals in 52 games.
Reach Doyle Woody at dwoody@alaskadispatch.com and follow him on Twitter at @JaromirBlagr