Alaska Nanooks Men's Ice Hockey
Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey is a collegiate ice hockey team that represents the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The team competes in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). The program was created in 1927 and has a rich history of success on the ice.
A Brief History of Alaska Nanooks Men's Ice Hockey
The Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey program began in 1927, making it one of the oldest college hockey programs in the United States. The team has gone through several name changes over the years, but has been known as the Nanooks since 1975. Throughout its history, the team has had many successful seasons and has produced some talented players.
One of the most successful seasons in Nanooks men's hockey history was the 2009-2010 season. The team finished with a record of 18-12-6 and won the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) championship. They qualified for the NCAA tournament but lost in the first round.
The Nanooks Home Rink
The Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey team plays its home games at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Carlson Center is a multipurpose arena that seats over 4,000 fans. The stadium has been the home of Nanooks men's hockey since 1990 and has seen many exciting games over the years.
The Coaching Staff
The current head coach of the Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey team is Erik Largen. Largen has been the head coach since 2020 and has been with the program since 2013. He has also served as an assistant coach for the team. Largen played college hockey at Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota.
He is assisted by Lance West, who has been with the program since 2017. West played college hockey at UMass Lowell and has also worked as an assistant coach at Northern Michigan University, Michigan Tech University, and Lake Superior State University.
The Players
Over the years, the Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey team has produced some talented players. One of the most notable players to come out of the program is Colton Parayko. Parayko played for the Nanooks from 2012-2015 before being signed by the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has since become a key player for the Blues and has represented Canada in international play.
Other notable players to come out of the program include defenseman Justin Woods, who played for the Nanooks from 2009-2013 and forward Andy Taranto, who played for the team from 2007-2011. Both players have gone on to play professionally in Europe.
Conclusion
The Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey team has a rich history and is known for producing talented players. The team has had many successful seasons and has become a staple of the Fairbanks community. With a talented coaching staff and dedicated players, the future looks bright for the Nanooks men's ice hockey program.