Wasilla’s Schachle, Fletcher could be reunited with Brown Bears

  • By Jeremiah Bartz
  • Thursday, June 12, 2014 11:46pm
  • Sports

WASILLA — Tanner Schachle and Colton Fletcher grew up playing hockey together.

The duo skated through the youth and comp ranks before playing two seasons of high school hockey together with the Wasilla Warriors. The longtime friends skated on different squads during the 2013-14 high school season. But there’s a chance Schachle and Fletcher could be reunited.

Both Schachle and Fletcher were selected by the Kenai River Brown Bears during the second round of the North American Hockey League annual draft earlier this week.

Schachle, a Wasilla High incoming senior, was taken with the 37th pick in the draft. Last season, Schachle helped the Wasilla Warriors finish third in the ASAA 4A state tourney, the program’s highest finish in the tourney since Wasilla placed second in 1989.

Fletcher, who left WHS after his sophomore year to skate for the Omaha Lancers in the North American Prospects Hockey League, was taken two picks later. Both players participated in Kenai River’s Alaska camp last month.

Both Schachle and Fletcher said they felt they did well at the camp, but neither was sure if they’d be selected by the Tier II Junior A hockey team.

“I had a good camp. I talked to the coach, but he never really mentioned anything,” Schachle said.

Schachle said he was really excited to be drafted. He said he’s also excited that both he and Fletcher were selected by the same team.

“We’ve been playing together all of our lives. We played together at camp and did really good. It’d be cool to (play with him again),” Schachle said.

Schachle, who also played for the Alaska Junior Aces U18 AAA team, said he feels he’s ready to make the jump to junior hockey.

“I need to put on a little weight and get stronger and bigger, but I definitely think I’m ready,” Schachle, a 6-foot-1 left wing said.

Being drafted does not guarantee that either Schachle or Fletcher will be on the Kenai River regular season roster for the 2014-15 season. Each will have to attend the team’s main offseason camp and make the roster. Kenai River does own the league rights for both players by drafting them.

Schachle said he’ll certainly have to put in the work during the offseason, but is excited about the potential of skating for the Brown Bears and playing junior hockey in his home state.

Fletcher has more than one possible landing spot for his 2014-15 season. After his sophomore year, Fletcher was selected by the Lincoln Stars in the United States Hockey League draft last year. Lincoln, a Tier I Junior A hockey organization, holds Fletcher’s USHL rights. Fletcher is attending Lincoln’s main offseason camp, which begins June 12.

Regardless of his potential future in the USHL, Fletcher said he was happy to be drafted by the NAHL’s Brown Bears.

“It’s a pretty good honor to be drafted by them,” Fletcher said.

Like Schachle, Fletcher said he’s excited about a potential reunion on the ice.

“I’ve known Tanner all my life. We’ve been best friends,” Fletcher said.

After he was selected by Lincoln after his sophomore season, Fletcher skated for the Omaha Lancers of the NAPHL.

“It’s the best thing that happened for me in my hockey career. It matured me as a person and as a hockey player,” Fletcher said. “It was really good for me.”

Schachle and Fletcher were among nine players selected by Kenai River in the draft.

“Both have always been strong players,” Kenai River head coach Geoff Beauparlant said after the draft. “Both skate well, are strong on the puck and have excellent finish around the net. Tanner is more a guy that gets his nose dirty around the net. He plays a physical game with high-end skill. I think Colton brings puck protection and poise.”

More in Sports

Clyde Clemens of the Post 20 Twins swings through a hit pitch Friday, June 20, 2025, in the Lance Coz Wood Bat Tournament at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Wood Bat tourney carries on legacy of Coz

From 1975 until his death in 2020, former Twins manager and head… Continue reading

tease
Results posted for Celebrate Life! 5K

ABC Life Choices held the Celebrate Life! 5-kilometer run Saturday, June 14,… Continue reading

The 10-mile race begins at the Run for the River on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Run for the River draws 197 finishers

The Run for the River drew 197 finishers on Saturday in Soldotna.… Continue reading

Nick Varney
Reeling ‘Em In: Old-timers cast their lines

The grizzled gentlemen have been coming down to Homer for over 35 years to ambush flats from their modest skiff in “secret holes” east of the Spit.

Benny Loyer of Palmer soars through the air racing 65 intermediate at the Alaska State Motocross Series Race 4 on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at Twin City Raceway in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
State motocross puts sport’s strong family ties on display

The strong family ties that bind motocross racing were on display at… Continue reading

tease
Sunday: Twins sweep Dimond

Post 20’s Harper throws shutout in league game

Post 20's Jayden Stuyvesant flies out to left field against West on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Friday: Twins lose league game, win nonleague game vs. West

The American Legion Post 20 Twins split a doubleheader against West Post… Continue reading

tease
Thursday: Twins split with Service

The American Legion Post 20 Twins split with Service on Thursday at… Continue reading

Most Read