FAIRBANKS - Alaska Nanooks head coach
Erik Largen was named a finalist for the 2025-26 Spencer Penrose Award, given annually to the Division I Men's Hockey Coach of the Year. The nominees consist of those named coach of the year by their respective leagues and those whose teams qualified for the Frozen Four.
This marks the second time Erik Largen has been named a finalist for the Penrose Award, previously earning the honor in 2022–23 after leading the Nanooks to a 22-10-2 record and narrowly missing the NCAA Division I Tournament.
The 2024–25 season saw Alaska finish 15-15-3, highlighted by key wins throughout the year. On Oct. 10, the Nanooks upset No. 8/9 Quinnipiac at the Icebreaker Tournament in Tempe, Ariz., securing a 2-1 victory to advance to the championship game. Alaska ultimately fell to No. 15 Arizona State but carried that momentum into the following weeks. Back home, the Nanooks earned a statement 5-1 win over Michigan Tech—then receiving votes—scoring three unanswered goals in the third period. A month later, Alaska faced No. 5 Quinnipiac again, battling to a 2-2 tie before winning in a shootout.
The Nanooks continued their strong play at the Adirondack Winter Invitational over Thanksgiving, defeating St. Lawrence (2-0) before capturing the tournament title with a 3-2 win over Clarkson.
In the second half, Alaska added another marquee victory, defeating No. 16 Providence on Jan. 3 in Rhode Island. That win sparked a surge to close the regular season, with the Nanooks winning nine of their final 12 games. The stretch included a four-game sweep of Alaska Anchorage, securing their 15th consecutive Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup. Alaska carried that momentum into the inaugural United Collegiate Hockey Cup in St. Louis, featuring all five Independent programs. As the top seed, the Nanooks advanced past Stonehill College in the semifinals (4-4, OT/SO) before defeating No. 2 Lindenwood, 4-3 in overtime, to claim the championship title.
The Spencer Penrose Award is named in memory of the Colorado Springs benefactor who built the Broadmoor Hotel Complex, site of the first 10 NCAA championship hockey tournaments. The award will be presented on Wednesday, April 29, at the 2026 AHCA Convention at the Hyatt Coconut Point Resort in Bonita Springs, FL. Selected by the nation's 63 NCAA Division I head coaches, the winner will be announced on Tuesday, April 7.
2025-26 AHCA Men's Ice Hockey Spencer Penrose Award Finalists
(CCM/AHCA Division I Coach of the Year)
- David Carle, University of Denver, NCAA Semifinalist
- Reid Cashman, Dartmouth College, ECAC Hockey Coach of the Year
- Mike Hastings, University of Wisconsin, NCAA Semifinalist
- Dane Jackson, University of North Dakota, NCHC Coach of the Year and NCAA Semifinalist
- Andy Jones, Bentley University, AHA Coach of the Year
- Erik Largen, University of Alaska, NCAA Independent Coach of the Year
- Nate Leaman, Providence College, Hockey East Coach of the Year
- Brandon Naurato, University of Michigan, NCAA Semifinalist
- Adam Nightingale, Michigan State University, Big Ten Coach of the Year
- Luke Strand, Minnesota State University, CCHA Coach of the Year
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