FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks hockey program and head coach Erik Largen has officially announced the final six players of the 2024-25 incoming class. These players, fresh from the transfer portal, include two forwards, three defensemen, and a goalie.

First, we will introduce the three new defensemen for the Alaska Nanooks hockey team.

Adam Cardona | D | 6-2 | 201 lbs | Beaconsfield, Que. | UMass-Lowell (Hockey East)
Adam Cardona, a 6-2 defenseman, will head north to Fairbanks after spending one season with the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks. In his debut year with the Riverhawks, Cardona played in 15 games and registered his first collegiate goal. Prior to his time in Lowell, he proved himself to be a staple blue-liner for the Omaha Lancers of the USHL during their 2022-23 season. In that year alone, Cardona made 62 game appearances, scoring five goals and registering 18 total points on the season.

Largen's Thoughts
"Adam brings experience and grit to our team, his toughness and ability to move the puck will help our defensive core. He is a fantastic person and will fit in well with the program we have built so far."

Luke LaMaster | D | 6-0 | 187 lbs | Duluth, Minn. | Univ. of Wisconsin (Big Ten)
Also fresh on the 'Nooks blue-line is Luke LaMaster, a 6-0 defenseman from the University of Wisconsin. LaMaster spent four seasons with the Badgers, hitting the ice 66 times and scoring his first collegiate goal during the 2022-23 season. Before his time in red and white, LaMaster skated one season with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL in 2019-20. Over the course of the 38 games with Sioux City, he scored two goals from the blue-line and assisted on eight for 10 points.

Largen's Thoughts
"Luke has great work ethic and defensive prowess. He embodies what it takes to be a Nanook, bringing a lot of experience and leadership to our locker room and team."

Matt Rickard | D | 6-0 | 170 lbs | Coventry, R.I. | American Int. College (Atlantic)
The last defenseman to head north is Matt Rickard, a 6-0 standout from the American International College. Rickard made his name known with the Yellow Jackets over his four-year stint, skating in 88 games and scoring five goals. Aside from his ability to light the lamp, he was an integral part of the team, assisting on 20 of 25 points over his four seasons in black and yellow. Prior to hitting college ice, Rickard spent a singular season with the Lone Star Brahmas of the NAHL, appearing in 50 games and scoring nine goals. Rickard also assisted on 20 of 29 points during that year, no doubt making an impression on the eyes of college hockey.

Largen's Thoughts
"Matt's transfer will be a huge addition to our backend as he brings a lot of offensive skill to the team. He is someone who can help run a power-play and transport pucks. I believe he will fit in well with our group."

As we move up the ice we come to meet our two new Nanook forwards.

Luke Johnson | F | 5-9 | 165 lbs | St. Cloud, Minn. | Univ. of Minnesota-Duluth (NCHC)
Luke Johnson joins the Nanooks after spending two seasons with the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. In his time as a Bulldog, Johnson skated in 51 games, tallying six points and four assists. Prior to his collegiate career he spent the 2020-21 season with the Lone Star Brahmas of the NAHL, then spent the following year with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. In that season, Johnson found the back of the net 15 times over the course of 61 games while also assisting on 17 of 32 total points.

Largen's Thoughts
"Luke's transfer will bring more speed and skill to our lineup. I believe Luke will have a breakout season for us when given a bigger role and opportunity."

Matt Hubbarde | F | 6-1 | 190 lbs | Pickering, Ont. | Providence College (Hockey East)
The second forward to join the 'Nooks from the portal is Matt Hubbarde, standing 6-1 from Providence College. Prior to transferring to Providence, Hubbarde spent two years skating for Dartmouth College where he saw the ice 52 times and lit the lamp 11 times. Further, he assisted on 17 of 28 points for the Big Green before getting pulled from the transfer portal by Providence. During his time in Rhode Island, Hubbarde skated 13 times, tallying one goal and one point on the season.

Largen's Thoughts
"Matthew's transfer will be a huge addition to our forward group. I see him playing key minutes for us at center due to his good stick and hockey IQ. He will be coming back from injury but once fully healthy, he will be someone for Nanook fans to keep their eye on."

It's never too early to hug your goalies, even in an introduction so let's meet the very last addition to the Nanook's 2024-25 recruit class, Nicholas Grabko.

Nicholas Grabko | G | 6-0 | 187 lbs | Channahon, Ill. | Bentley Uni. (Atlantic)
Nicholas joins the 'Nooks between the pipes after spending four seasons with the Bentley University Falcons. Grabko proved himself to be a force in the net after 56 total games as the Falcon's last line of defense. In his first year, he played in 12 games, holding a 5-7-0 record with a 2.85 GAA and a .894 save percentage. Fast forward to his last year, Grabko saw the ice 15 times, holding a record of 6-8-1 with a 2.40 GAA, a .908 save percentage as well as posting two shutouts on the season.

Largen's Thoughts
"Nick's transfer really strengthens our goaltending unit. He's a proven goalie at the NCAA level and we hope he can take another step forward as a fifth-year senior. We can't wait to see him compete on Nanook ice."

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