FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks hockey program has announced the addition of PD Melgoza to the 'Nooks bench. He becomes the third assistant on Erik Largen's bench and will join the 'Nooks for the 2023-24 season. 

"We are so lucky to have PD Melgoza join the University of Alaska and Nanook Nation." Said Largen in his hiring statement, "His various experiences as a coach will help prepare our young men for success. PD is a bright young coach and will help in many different aspects of our program."

Melgoza joins the Nanooks bench with six years of coaching experience. Most recently, he has been with the Waterloo Blackhawks in the USHL since 2021. There he assisted with the penalty kill, clipping, teaching and implementing game plans. He also ran the defense from the bench during games while also working on skill development for forwards and defensemen while specializing in goaltender development. Heading into games, he'd provide detailed scouting reports for staff and players while also reviewing game stats and creating a detailed postgame sheet for staff. He coached a 2022 NHL Draftee in Emmett Croteau (MTL, Round 6, Pick 162). Since 2020, Melgoza has also spent time as a goalie coach working with NHL talent, including Anchorage-native, Jeremy Swayman. 

From 2019-21, Melgoza spent time with our in-state rivals, the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves as their Director of Hockey Operations and Goalie Coach. There he specialized in goaltender development while also assisting in forward and defensemen development. He monitored non-travel players for on-and-off ice conditioning while the team traveled. He gathered film, clipped footage and created scouts for pre and post-game analysis and for other media outlets. 

He has also spent time as a Camp Evaluator for USA Hockey. There he worked national and district camps, assisting in goaltending evaluation clinics.

"I'm very excited to get back up to Alaska and be a part of Alaska hockey." Added Melgoza, "Coach Largen has built a great program on and off the ice and I can't wait to get the season started and help add to the great tradition of Nanooks hockey." 

The 2023-24 season is just around the corner, view the season schedule HERE. Ticket information will be made available soon.

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