As expected, Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves sent out national letters of intent to six prospects for 2008-09 and all are in the process of signing and returning them.

 The group includes defenseman Jake Gardiner with Minnetonka (Minn.) High School; defenseman Ryan Little with Green Bay of the U.S. Hockey League; winger Jordy Murray with Shattuck St. Mary's (Minn.) High School; defenseman Eric Springer with Sioux Falls of the USHL; center Derek Stepan with Shattuck St. Mary's (Minn.) High School; and center Matt Thurber with Omaha of the USHL.

 Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if Eaves will have to look for another assistant coach in wake of developments at the Alaska campus in Fairbanks.

 Doc DelCastillo resigned Thursday after one season as coach of the Nanooks, opening the door to the possibility that UW assistant Kevin Patrick could be approached.

 Patrick was interviewed as a finalist for the job last spring. He said Thursday that he was aware of the situation in Fairbanks, but hadn't been contacted by anyone at the school.

 Forrest Karr, the Alaska athletic director, is a Madison Edgewood High School product who, like Patrick, is a Notre Dame alum.