FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks hockey team has announced their group of forwards in the 2023-24 incoming class. Five forwards headline this incoming class of 11.

The defensemen and goaltenders will be released throughout this week. The first five announced additions are; Cade Ahrenholz, Edvards Bergmanis, Chase Dafoe, William Lawson-Body and Filip Wiberg.

Cade Ahrenholz | Sophomore | F | Lakeville, Minn. | Colorado College (NCAA)
Cade Ahrenholz joins the Nanooks after spending his first NCAA season with the Colorado College Tigers in the NCHC. The right-winger appeared in 14 games as a rookie but did not record a point for the Tigers. He posted seven penalty minutes. Prior to CC, Ahrenholz played for the Omaha Lancers in the United States Hockey League (USHL) and skated in 57 games. In those 57 appearances, he scored 13 goals and tallied six assists for 19 points. He totaled 69 penalty minutes and skated in four USHL playoff games. 

Ahrenholz is a right-handed shot and is listed at 6'3", 218 lbs. He is excited about the direction Coach Largen is taking the Nanooks and looks forward to the experiences to come in Fairbanks, "I chose Alaska because of the culture Coach Largen has established since taking over the program. His reputation for developing players, not only for hockey but life beyond hockey and creating a winning culture is like no other. I'm excited to experience the Nanooks team bond and get to work!"

Coaches Thoughts
"Cade, first and foremost, is an incredible person with a great commitment to his craft. We are looking forward to him joining the group and helping impact the lineup right away."

Edvards Bergmanis | Freshman | F | Spilve, Latvia | Springfield (NAHL) & Peoria (NA3HL)
Edvards Bergmanis joins the Nanooks squad after spending the 2022-23 season with the Springfield Jr. Blues in the NAHL and Peoria Mustangs in the NA3HL. In 23 games with the Springfield Jr. Blues, Bergmanis posted two goals and six goals for eight total points. He had four penalty minutes before joining the Peoria Mustangs. He skated in seven games, posting seven points on two goals and five assists with a +2 +/- and two penalty minutes. He skated in three playoff games but did not record a point. 

Bergmanis is a right-handed shot and is listed at 5'10", 170 lbs. Bergmanis sees Fairbanks as a place for him to grow as a player and a person, "I chose the University of Alaska Fairbanks because it's the best place to grow as a player and person. I have seen the great community that has supported the team through the years. I couldn't be more proud to become a Nanook!"

Coaches Thoughts
"Edvards will be a great teammate for our group and push every day to make himself and those around him better."

Chase Dafoe | Sophomore | F | Camrose, Alta. | Providence (NCAA)
Chase Dafoe will join the Nanooks this upcoming season after spending his rookie year with the Providence Friars in Hockey East. Dafoe only appeared in eight games for the Friars a season ago, posting no points in his rookie year. Before heading to the NCAA, Dafoe spent 2021-22 with West Kelowna in the BCHL and skated in 48 games while wearing the 'A' for the Warriors. He scored 18 goals and tallied 16 helpers for 34 points while spending 64 minutes in the penalty box. He saw time in 14 playoff games and posted nine postseason points on four goals and five assists. 

Dafoe is a left-handed shot and is listed at 6'3", 201 lbs. Dafoe expressed his excitement to be joining the Nanooks and the culture that has been built, "I chose Alaska because it is an amazing program with a great culture. I couldn't be more excited to be joining this team."

Coaches Thoughts
"Chase is someone who we have watched for a long time and are lucky to have in a Nanooks jersey. He has all of the ability and intangibles to be an incredible two-way center at the college level."

William Lawson-Body | Freshman | F | Grand Forks, N.D. | Oklahoma (NAHL)
William Lawson-Body is the fourth addition to the Nanooks 2023-24 class after spending the 2022-23 season with Oklahoma in the North American Hockey League. Before Oklahoma, he spent two seasons with the Wichita Falls Warriors where he posted 83 points in 109 games. He then joined the Oklahoma Warriors for one season and in 52 appearances, he posted 48 points on 16 goals and 32 assists. He spent 20 minutes in the penalty box while posting a +36. He saw time in nine playoff games in Oklahoma and posted 13 points on two goals and 11 assists, ending with a +10 in the postseason. He was a 2020-21 NAHL All-South Division Rookie Team selection and in 2022-23 he earned the NAHL Best Plus/Minus with his +36.

Lawson-Body is a right-handed shot and is listed at 5'10", 170 lbs. He is excited about the culture being built and what opportunities await him, "I chose Alaska because of the winning culture that has been established which leads to growth on and off the ice. Alaska provides a great opportunity that I am hungry to get started on!"

Coaches Thoughts
"We are very fortunate to be able to get William as a part of our family for next year. He is a proven leader, winner and incredible human being. On the ice, he is a very good player who will consistently push every day to make an impact."

Filip Wiberg | Freshman | F | Trondheim, Norway | Maine (NAHL)
Filip Wiberg is the final addition for the incoming forwards. He spent the previous two seasons with the Maine Nordiques in the NAHL before committing to the Nanooks. His first season, 2021-22, saw him play in 43 games while posting 16 points on seven goals and nine assists. He added 19 penalty minutes. In his second season, 2022-23, Wiberg wore the 'A' and more than tripled his production in 17 more games played. He skated in 60 games this past season and tallied 17 goals and assisted on 32 for 49 total points. He saw 16 minutes in the penalty box and improved from a -5 to a +26 plus/minus. He also skated in seven playoff games, scoring a pair of goals and five assists for seven postseason points. He had a +2 in the postseason. In 2021-22, Wiberg earned Bronze Medal with Norway at the U20 World Junior Championships (D1A). 

He is a left-handed shot who is listed at 6'2", 201 lbs. Wiberg is excited for the future of Alaska hockey, "I chose Alaska because of the successful direction of the program and sharing the same philosophy that I believe in."

Coaches Thoughts
"Filip is someone who is committed to his craft. He is someone who is going to spend the extra time on and off the ice to improve every day. We are looking forward to having him be a part of our locker room."

Additional newcomers will be announced this week. 

The 2023-24 season schedule is officially released, view it HERE. Ticketing information will be released at a later date. 

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