FAIRBANKS, Alaska – On Tuesday, Alaska Nanooks hockey head coach Erik Largen announced the 10 players who will make up the program's graduating class of 2022. The incoming freshmen will be Largen's first group of players to arrive on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus since becoming program's 10th head coach in May.  

"We are very proud and excited to introduce the incoming Class of 2022. Each of these young players worked extremely hard to be successful as junior players and are ready to make the next step into collegiate hockey," Largen said on Monday. "We're excited that these 10 individuals have decided to attend UAF to pursue their academic and athletic goals. With such a large class, these men will make an immediate impact on our program as we step into a new era. We're excited for everyone to return back to campus at the end of the summer and for all of us to move forward collectively as a group."

Matthew Doran // 6-1 // 194 // Defenseman // R // St. Louis, Mo. // Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)
Doran spent the 2017-18 season with the Victoria Grizzlies of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), appearing in 55 regular season games. The defenseman collected a personal-best nine goals and 26 assists for 35 points throughout the regular season for the Grizzlies. In the playoff run, Victoria came back from an 0-3 deficit in a best-of-seven series to knock out the Alberni Bulldogs in the first round before eventually falling to Powell River in five games to conclude the season. Throughout the hunt, Doran tallied one goal and five assists for six points in 12 postseason games.

Coach Largen on Matthew Doran: "Matt brings a physical presence to our lineup and is extremely competitive by nature. He is a good skater with the ability to get involved offensively in the rush. Matt has matured his game a lot over the past four years and we look forward to adding his experience to our defensive core."

Colin Doyle // 5-10 // 185 // Forward // R // Cambellford, Ontario // Wellington Dukes (OJHL)
Doyle comes to the Nanooks after a highly successful season with the Wellington Dukes of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). The Dukes went 33-3-13 overall in the OJHL this past season, earning the Dudley Hewitt Cup after earning the league's championship title. The Dukes went on to fall to the Chilliwack Chiefs in the final round of the RBC Cup but Doyle, who was named the 2017-18 captain, led the program to new heights. This past season, Doyle skated in 48 regular season games amassing 17 goals and 37 assists for a personal-best 54 points since joining the Dukes in 2015-16. In the postseason alone, Doyle collected eight goals and 16 assists for 24 points in 25 games. At the conclusion of the season, Doyle was not only recognized as the OJHL Champion, but was named the OJHL's Playoff MVP. In April, Doyle was named to the Canada East U-19 team for the World Junior "A" Challenge, where he registered one goal in four games.

Largen on Colin Doyle: "Colin is a forward who skates well and also a player who takes care of the little things. He is good at face-offs, on the penalty kill and also has the ability chip-in offensively. Colin was the playoff MVP in the OJHL this past year, leading Wellington to the RBC Cup. We look forward to seeing Colin on the ice this fall."

Chase Ellingson // 5-7 // 172 // Forward // R // Blaine, Minn. // Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
Ellingson spent the last two seasons playing for the Des Moines Buccaneers in the United State Hockey League (USHL), earning the nod as captain this past season. Throughout the 2017-18 campaign, the Bucs posted an overall record of 20-33 in the Western Conference, placing eighth in their division. Ellingson appeared in 28 games this past season, posting seven goals and eight assists for a season-best 15 points since joining the USHL.

Largen on Chase Ellingson: "Chase was the captain for his team in Des Moines before his season was shortened by injury. Although smaller in stature, Chase is a great skater who is extremely competitive and plays in all situations. Chase will be an excellent asset on the big ice surface at the Carlson Center."

Jake Gresh // 6-0 // 185 // Defenseman // R // Avon, Conn. // Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL)
Gresh is coming off of a championship season with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL, who recently won the coveted RBC Cup this past spring. The Chiefs, who fell in the first round of the BCHL Playoffs, went on a nine-week break before hosting the RBC Cup in May. Chilliwack went undefeated in the tournament before eventually defeating the Wellington Dukes, and future teammate Colin Doyle, 4-2 in the Championship game. This past season, Gresh appeared in 48 regular season games for the Chiefs, producing three goals and 18 assists for 21 points before tallying one goal and one assist in seven postseason appearances.

Largen on Jake Gresh: "Jake is an offensive defenseman with good feet and a good instinct for the game. He is a competitive individual who has worked hard to improve all aspects of his skillset. We look forward to seeing what Jake will be able to do in a Nanook uniform.

Gustavs Grigals // 6-0 // 194 // Goaltender // L // Riga, Latvia // Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL)
Grigals is another future Nanook who is coming off of a spectacular championship season, as the netminder helped the Shreveport Mudbugs of the North American Hockey League were crowned the 2018 NAHL Robertson Cup Champions. Throughout the 2017-18 season, Grigals appeared in net 26 times for Shreveport, posting a 1.95 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage. Grigals, who has appeared on Team Latvia on 10 different occasions, played in five games for Latvia in the World Junior Championships (U-20). Grigals and the rest of Team Latvia earned a silver medal, while Grigals was named the Top Player of the Team and boasted the best GAA (0.99) and save percentage (.960) of the entire tournament.

Largen on Gustavs Grigals: "Gustavs is not only a great goalie, but he is also one of the most competitive goaltenders I've ever witnessed. He wants to get better on a daily basis and hates to get scored on anytime in practice. He possesses tremendous athleticism with the ability to make second saves other goalies cannot. Gustavs will add a lot to our program in his four years."

Caleb Hite // 5-11 // 185 // Forward // L // Grand Blanc, Mich. // Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL)
UAF will be familiar territory for Hite after spending the past season with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the NAHL. Hite, alongside fellow incoming freshman Sam Ruffin, helped the Nanooks to a 45-8-4 overall record last season, earning the title of NAHL Regular Season Champions and also placing first within the Midwest Division. In the NAHL Playoffs, the Ice Dogs swept the Minnesota Magicians 3-0 in a best-of-five series before eventually defeating the Janesville Jets in game five to advance to the third round. Unfortunately for the Ice Dogs, the Minot Minotauros swept Fairbanks in three-straight games, ending their season. Hite appeared in 60 games for Fairbanks throughout 2017-18, posting 19 goals and 21 assists for an NAHL season-best 40 points. Throughout the 11-game postseason, Hite collected seven points with five goals and two assists.

Largen on Caleb Hite: "Caleb was someone who was on our radar all year but elevated his game during the team's playoff run. He has a good first step and is tough to play against. He doesn't avoid confrontation and has the ability to score in tough areas around the net. Caleb is a fantastic late addition to our freshman class."

Chris Jandric // 5-11 // 165 // Defenseman // L // Prince George, British Columbia // Vernon Vipers (BCHL)
Jandric follows the footsteps of older brother Steven, who will be a sophomore for the Alaska Nanooks hockey team this upcoming season. This past season, C. Jandric appeared in 58 regular season games for the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL, collecting four goals and 26 assists for a BCHL career-best 30 points. C. Jandric and the rest of the Vipers made it to the second round of the BCHL Playoffs before eventually falling to the Wenatchee Wild in game six. Throughout the postseason, C. Jandric tallied five assists in 10 games.

Largen on Chris Jandric: "Chris is a smart player with a competitive edge to his game. He has the ability to run a power play and possesses excellent vision with the puck. His skillset is very good for a defenseman and we are excited to have Chris join his brother Steven as a Nanook."

Jordan Muzzillo // 6-1 // 185 // Defenseman // L // Capron, Ill. // Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL)
Muzzillo helped the St. Louis Jr. Blues to third place in the NAHL Midwest Division, going 33-21 throughout the regular season. The Jr. Blues advanced to the first round of the NAHL Playofs but eventually had their season cut short from a three-game sweep at the hands of the Janesville Jets. Muzzillo played in 58 games for Springfield last season, collecting six goals and 22 assists for 28 points, while registering one assist in the playoffs.

Largen on Jordan Muzzillo: "Jordan is a good skater and a natural leader. He has great passing skills and is a very good defender. He is someone who works at his craft every day and we expect him to continue to get better within our program."

Sam Ruffin // 5-10 // 170 // Forward // R // Westfield, Ind. // Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL)
Ruffin comes to the Nanooks after a successful two seasons with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the NAHL. This past season, Ruffin appeared in 57 games and posted 20 goals and 37 assists for a personal-best 57 points. Like teammate Caleb Hite, Ruffin was a big part of the Ice Dogs' NAHL Regular Season Championship and Midwest Division titles. In the postseason run, Ruffin captured four goals and six assists for 10 points in 11 games.

Largen on Sam Ruffin: "Sam is a great skater who possesses a very talented skillset. He had to earn his way into more opportunities at the junior level and finished as a go-to guy in all situations. He is a competitive individual with a burning desire to get better on and off the ice."

Antti Virtanen // 5-10 // 181 // Defenseman // L // Kittila, Finland // Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
After playing in Europe for the entirety of his career, Virtanen played for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL this past season. The defenseman helped the Stampede to a 32-19 regular season record, before falling to Lincoln in the first round of the USHL Playoffs. Virtanen appeared in 56 regular season games last season, registering two goals and six assists for eight assists.

Largen on Antti Virtanen: "Antti is a strong defender with the ability to play against the opponent's best players. His work ethic and drive on and off the ice will allow him to continue to get better throughout his four years with us. We are getting a fantastic person and player with Antti."

Below are the returning Nanooks from the 2017-18 season:

Sophomores:
#14 Brennan Blaszczak (F)
#11 Steven Jandric (F)
#20 Max Newton (F)
#35 Tony Rehm (G)
#9 Justin Young (F)

Juniors:
#26 Tyler Cline (F)
#1 Niko DellaMaggiore (G)
#28 Kylar Hope (F)
#24 James LaDouce (D)
#27 Colton Leiter (F)
#36 Kyle Marino (F)
#33 Anton Martinsson (G)
#32 Tristan Thompson (D)
#15 Troy Van Tetering (F)

Seniors:
#5 Nikolas Koberstein (D)
#23 Ryker Leer (F)
#22 Chad Staley (F)
#2 Jack Weiss (D)

For more information on the Alaska Nanooks hockey team, follow @NanooksHockey on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Hockey team page on Facebook.