FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks hockey team has announced the addition of defenseman Max Rud. Rud, a redshirt junior, transfers into Fairbanks after spending the last three seasons with the Minnesota Gophers in the Big Ten. 

"Max brings size, mobility, and valuable experience from a high-level program," said head coach Erik Largen. "He defends well with his feet and reach, moves pucks efficiently, and has the ability to take on a larger role. We believe he will make an immediate impact on our defensive group." In Rud's three years at Minnesota he has appeared in 43 career games. In his first season, 2023-24, he appeared in 20 games. Rud redshirted his second year on campus and did not appear in any games. Last season he appeared in 23 games for Minnesota and tallied his first-career points with a goal and an assist. He scored his first goal in an upset victory over No. 5 North Dakota, tallying the eventual game-winner on Oct. 18. His first assist came in a victory over Notre Dame on Nov. 8.

Rud ended the season with 15 total blocked shots and was even on the ice with two +2 performances. Minnesota was 2-0-0 when Rud appeared in the scoresheet. He was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. 

Before skating for the Gophers, Rud played two full seasons for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL. He appeared in nine games in 2020-21 before playing his first full season in 2021-22. In his first full year with the Stampede, he skated in 62 games and posted 22 points on four goals and 18 assists. The following year he skated in 60 games, scored three goals and posted a career-high 25 assists for 28 points. He finished his USHL career with 53 points in 131 games on seven goals and 46 assists. 

Rud is a 6-3, 195-pound defenseman and left-handed shot. He is from St. Cloud, Minn. and attended St. Cloud High School before playing with Sioux Falls. 

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