Anchorage’s Alec Butcher scored his sixth goal of the young season for the ECHL’s Tulsa (Okla.) Oilers on Sunday doing what any hockey player worth their shin pads should.

“I was just there at the crease, making sure my stick was one the ice,” said Butcher, 30. “I didn’t think it was going in, but managed to sneak it past the goalie.”

Butcher credited defenseman Roman Kinal, playing his second game with the Oilers after being sent down from AAA-level American Hockey League, with driving down the wall of the offensive zone before firing the puck in the Alaskan’s vicinity. Butcher’s stick work in front of the Wichita (Kan.) Thunder goalie resulted in his 99th career ECHL goal in his sixth season in the AA-level professional circuit.

The next one, No. 100, could potentially come this week in one of the ECHL’s new markets.

“Truthfully, I haven’t really thought about (No. 100),” Butcher said. “I’m just happy we’re off to a great start with a core group that is already showing some chemistry.”

Back in it AGAIN! Butcher this time, 3-2 WIC. pic.twitter.com/pRoAlF6QcI

— Tulsa Oilers (@tulsa_oilers) November 10, 2024

Butcher and the 6-2-1 Oilers, which include coach Rob Murray who guided the Alaska Aces for six seasons, play their next three games against the Tahoe Knight Monsters in Stateline, Nev. Tahoe is the Vegas Golden Knights AA affiliate and the western-most franchise in the 29-team league. That used to be the claim Alaska and the Aces could make.

“It’ll be our first real road trip and I’m kind of excited to check out a new city and see what it has to offer,” Butcher said. “We’ll be staying in one of the Caesars resorts, so I’ll need to be careful with my per diem.”

Tulsa is Anaheim’s ECHL affiliate.

Butcher was part of West High’s 2010 First National Cup state title team and scored 13 points in 16 games for UAA during the 2017-18 season. He’s totaled 99 goals and 105 assists in 310 ECHL games.

Elsewhere in pro hockey, Anchorage’s Clair DeGeorge is getting prepared for the second Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). She said she’s starting training camp Tuesday with the Montreal Victoire.

Last season, DeGeorge was part of the Minnesota franchise that won the six-team league’s inaugural Walter Cup championship. Going into this season, the PWHL renamed each franchise and updated logos and uniforms. Besides the Victoire, the league features the Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge and Toronto Sceptres.

THE OFFICIAL LOOK OF THE PWHL IS HERE. Six teams. Six new identities. One collection that represents the future of the women’s game.

Early access available now at https://t.co/uGFHyiZtfp. Coming to https://t.co/6H9vGtQ1SQ and hockey retail stores on November 14th. pic.twitter.com/Mr54Fjf37Z

— BAUER Hockey (@BauerHockey) November 7, 2024

PWHL regular-season play is scheduled to start Nov. 30.

If our scoring list missed a pro hockey player from Alaska, please direct message us via your favorite social media platform. As we always say, assists – primary or secondary – are always appreciated.

Professional
Alaska Player Updates
(Through Monday morning)
Men
NHL
Boston Bruins
Jeremy Swayman, G, Anchorage: 11 GP 4-5-2 W-L-T, 3.13 GAA, .896 Save %

AHL
Henderson Silver Knights
Isaiah Saville, G, Anchorage: Injured

Ontario Reign
Pheonix Copley, G, North Pole: 5 2-3-0, 3.69, .886

ECHL
Atlanta Gladiators
Christian Hausinger, D, Anchorage: 11 0-3—3 0

Indy Fuel
Cam Hausinger, F, Anchorage: 8 1-2—3 +1

Orlando Solar Bears
Tanner Schachle, F, Wasilla: 0 0-0—0 0

Tulsa Oilers
Alec Butcher, F, Anchorage: 9 6-3—9 -2

Worcester Railers
Michael Bullion, G, Anchorage: 4 3-1-0, 2.70, .905

SPHL
Birmingham Bulls
Colton Fletcher, F, Wasilla: 8 0-3—3 -1
Drake Glover, F, Anchorage: 7 2-4—6 +4

Pensacola Ice Flyers
Cayden Cahill, F, Anchorage: 6 1-2—3 -2

HockeyAllsvenskan – Sweden
IK Oskarshamn
Nolan Walker, F, Anchorage: 15 6-9—15 +6

ICE Hockey League – Austria
Graz 99ers
Casey Bailey, F, Anchorage: 13 7-2—9 -4

Slovak Extraliga
Zilina Wolves
Hunter Fejes, F, Anchorage: 13 6-3—9 0

Swedish Hockey League
Vaxjo Lakers
Brian Cooper, D, Anchorage: 15 2-1—3 0

Women
PWHL
Montreal Victorie
Clair DeGeorge, F, Anchorage: training camp begins Tuesday