The Alaska Nanooks men’s ice hockey team will return to the Carlson Center in Fairbanks for a pair of exhibition games this weekend. The Nanooks are set to face the UNLV Rebels on Friday, September 26, and the Briercrest Clippers on Saturday, September 27. Both games will begin at 7:07 p.m.
Last weekend, the team hosted its annual Blue/Gold game at Patty Ice Arena. Gold won 2-1, with Tommy Cronin scoring the decisive goal. Beau Courtney opened scoring for Gold with a power-play goal before Michael Citara scored for Blue.
The university has extended its media rights partnership with FloHockey through the 2027-28 season. This agreement ensures that fans can continue to stream Nanooks Division I hockey games nationwide with a FloHockey subscription.
Radio coverage will also be available throughout the season on KSUA 91.5 FM and KSUAradio.com, with Bruce Cech providing play-by-play commentary for all home and away games.
A new documentary titled “In the Trenches: 100 Years of Alaska Hockey” has been released by the Alaska Nanooks and University of Alaska Fairbanks University Relations Department. It is available on the Alaska Nanooks YouTube channel and will air locally on KTVF and KFXF in early October.
Friday’s game against UNLV is designated as Junior Nooks Night; children wearing Nanooks gear receive free admission. Saturday’s matchup versus Briercrest features giveaways for season ticket holders and discounted season tickets at the box office.
This year marks the centennial season for Alaska Nanooks hockey, dating back to its start in 1925-26. The current roster includes 16 newcomers—12 freshmen and four transfers—and represents players from seven countries: United States (15), Canada (11), Belarus (1), Finland (1), Latvia (1), Sweden (1), and Ukraine (1). Players have joined from six different junior leagues including NAHL, USHL, BCHL, WHL, MJHL, and QMJHL.
Head coach Erik Largen enters his eighth season leading the program. He holds a career record of 65-92-21 (.424) with Alaska but has guided the team to a winning record over each of the last four seasons among NCAA Division I independent teams.
Three new coaches join Largen’s staff this year: Associate Head Coach Matt Curley arrives after leading Des Moines Buccaneers in the USHL; Sean Walsh comes from Bowdoin College where he was assistant coach and recruiting coordinator; Ryan Theros joins following two seasons as head coach of Fairbanks Ice Dogs in NAHL.
Chase Dafoe has been named captain for the upcoming season. The Beverly, Massachusetts native is entering his third year with Alaska after transferring from Providence College. In two seasons he has played in 63 games with 18 goals and 13 assists; last year he recorded career highs in goals (11) and points (17).
The team encourages fans to follow updates via their social media accounts on Instagram (@NanooksHockey), X (@NanooksHockey), or Facebook (Alaska Nanooks Hockey).
