FAIRBANKS, Alaska – On Friday evening, the Alaska Nanooks hockey team celebrated the 2018-19 season with their annual year-end awards banquet at the Westmark Hotel, hosted by the Face-Off Club.

The evening was highlighted by sophomore forward Steven Jandric, who received the team's highest honor on Friday by taking home the Steve Moria Most Valuable Player award, as voted on by his teammates. In addition to being named the team's MVP, S. Jandric also received the Keith Street Top Scorer award.

The Prince George, British Columbia native led Alaska in almost every offensive category this season, including goals (9), assists (15), points (24), goals per games played (0.25), points per games played (0.67), power play assists (9), power play points (12), game-winning goals (3) and plus (21).

The sophomore accumulated six game-winning points (3 GWG, 3 GWA), with two of them coming in overtime. The eldest Jandric brother picked up five multi-point games this season, tying his single-game career-high with three points on Feb. 16 against Bowling Green. S. Jandric also tallied two, three-game point streaks throughout the season and concluded the 2018-19 campaign on a four-game point streak, picking up five points (three goals, two assists).

In March, S. Jandric was named to the All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association Third Team and was also named to the WCHA All-Academic Team.

Senior defenseman Nikolas Koberstein picked up three awards on Friday, including the Dirk Anderson Scholar-Athlete award, the Pump House Team Player of the Year award and the Rick Pitta Most Dedicated Player of the Year award. It was the second-straight year Koberstein received the Pump House Team Player of the Year award.

The 2018-19 team captain appeared in 35 games this season, earning 10 assists for 10 points and leading the Nanooks in blocks with 66. After four seasons in the Blue and Gold, Koberstein concludes his time with Alaska appearing in 125 games, collecting four goals and 26 assists for 30 points. Additionally, Koberstein is a three-time selection to the WCHA All-Academic Team and a three-time WCHA Scholar-Athlete.

Sophomore forward Max Newton took home his first team award on Friday, having been selected as the team's Dean Fedorchuck Most Improved Player, as voted on by his teammates. After only playing in 25 games and collecting five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in his rookie season, Newton returned for his sophomore campaign appearing in 32 games, earning eight goals and three assists for 11 points. The Vancouver, British Columbia led the Nooks in face-off wins (330) and tied for first in goals per games played (0.25).

Freshman forward Chris Jandric took home the award for the Doug Desorcie Top Freshman, following in the footsteps of his brother S. Jandric, who received the honor last year. C. Jandric led all 10 of the Alaska rookies in scoring, earning three goals and 12 assists for 15 points in 28 games. Last month, C. Jandric was named to the All-WCHA Rookie Team.


Junior defenseman Tristan Thompson earned the Shawn Chambers Top Defenseman award on Friday, after posting a career-best 20 points through 35 games this season. Thompson earned two WCHA Defensive Player of the Week honors over the season, while also leading all Alaska blueliners in goals (6), assists (14), points (20), power play goals (2), power play assists (7), power play points (9) and shots on goal (68).

The 2018-19 Top Playoff Performer award was given to junior forward Tyler Cline, who earned two goals for two points against Northern Michigan in the opening round of the 2019 WCHA Playoffs. Cline appeared in 33 games for the Nanooks this season, registering six goals and five assists for 11 points.

Junior forward Justin Young was voted the team's Don Jamieson Unsung Hero, while senior forward Chad Staley earned the Fan's Choice award.

Closing out the Alaska Hockey year-end awards, longtime voice of the Nanooks, Bruce Cech, was given the Pat & Gerald Shields award, while former Alaska Nanook Trevor Hyatt was given the Tavis MacMillan Alumni of the Year award.

The 2018-19 Alaska Nanooks hockey season was highlighted by four WCHA Scholar-Athletes, 16 selections to the WCHA All-Academic Team, one Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup title (seventh-straight), an appearance in the 2019 WCHA Playoffs and two individuals being selected to all-conference teams.

2018-19 Alaska Hockey Year-End Award Winners
Dean Fedorchuck Most Improved Player – Max Newton
Dirk Anderson Scholar-Athlete – Nikolas Koberstein
Don Jamieson Unsung Hero – Justin Young
Doug Desorcie Top Freshman – Chris Jandric
Fan's Choice – Chad Staley
Keith Street Top Scorer – Steven Jandric
Pat & Gerald Schields Award – Bruce Cech
Pump House Team Player of the Year – Nikolas Koberstein
Rick Pitta Most Dedicated Player – Nikolas Koberstein
Shawn Chambers Top Defenseman – Tristan Thompson
Steve Moria Most Valuable Player – Steven Jandric
Tavis MacMillan Alumni of the Year – Trevor Hyatt
Top Playoff Performer – Tyler Cline

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