By Avery Williamson
From the moment he could walk, Tanner Edwards dreamed of wearing the Seawolf jersey. That dream finally became a reality this year when he suited up for his hometown team.
Tanner’s passion for UAA began when he was just three years old. “Growing up, my dad played for UAA for four years,” he said. “We would always go to the games. That got me hooked on hockey right away. I just couldn’t get a hockey stick out of my hands.”
Hockey quickly became a large part of Tanner’s life, but after two seasons at Anchorage’s West High School with his current Seawolf teammate Max Helgeson, Tanner realized Anchorage wasn’t the right fit for him anymore. “I got to the point where it was too much money to play hockey in Anchorage,” he said.
“There’s only so many teams and so many kids you can play against, so we’d have to go to all these different tournaments and that costs a lot of money.”
Seeking better competition, Tanner continued his hockey development with the U16 and U18 AAA teams in Des Moines, Iowa. Even though he left home at a younger age, Tanner always knew where his journey had begun. “Anchorage was a great city to grow up and play in,” he said. “There’s a really great hockey community around and everyone knows everybody, which is really nice. You get a real sense of home and community here.”
After high school, Tanner returned to his home state to play for the NAHL’s Fairbanks Ice Dogs for one season before elevating his game to the United States Hockey League in Muskegon, Michigan. His standout performances led to college offers and he ultimately spent four years at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Still, the idea of playing back at home for the Seawolves never left his mind.
“It was always in the back of my mind that I wanted to be a Seawolf,” he said. “It was always a dream of mine to come back, and it just so happened that I had an extra COVID-19 eligibility year.”
That dream turned into a reality when he joined the Seawolves for the 2024-25 season. Playing for his hometown team has been a “special experience” for Tanner. “How many kids can say that they were able to pull on the sweater for their hometown college? It’s something not a lot of people get to experience. That’s why UAA holds a special place in my heart–it’s home for me.”
His favorite memory from this season was the final game against Lindenwood University, where the Seawolves earned a shutout victory. It was also Senior Night, a moment Tanner will always cherish.
“Having my parents out there on the ice and saying a big thanks to them and the hometown fans was really special,” he said. “Obviously, getting the big win at the end of the game was really cool too.”
Throughout this past season, Tanner embraced what he called “the villain role.”
“I like to play a heavier game,” he explained. “I like to be a menace out there, be in their face a little bit, and try to be pretty physical with the other team.”
Though Tanner won’t be on the ice for UAA Hockey next season, he’s excited to see what the future holds for the Seawolves. “I really want to watch them win the Governor’s Cup,” he said. “We fell one game short this year, but next year’s team can do it. We have a really young, skilled core that can propel us into a good season next year.”
As Tanner moves forward, his eyes are set on a professional hockey career. “I’m taking it day by day right now,” he said. “I’m decompressing from the long season and resting my body and mind right now, but I’m going to be looking at pro teams in the next few weeks.”
