FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks hockey team hosts the University of Mary and Mount Royal University this week for a pair of exhibition games at the Carlson Center. Both nights are 7:07 p.m. puck drops. 

Friday, Sept. 25
vs. UMary | 7:07 p.m.
Fairbanks | Carlson Center

Saturday, Sept. 26
vs. Mount Royal | 7:07 p.m.
Fairbanks | Carlson Center

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Last Time Out
The Nanooks and the Face-Off Club hosted their annual Blue/Gold scrimmage last weekend at the Patty Ice Arena. The Gold Team walked away with a dominating 4-0 win as newcomer Tyler Shea posted a shutout in net for Gold. 

New Look 'Nooks
The Nanooks enter 2026-27 with 16 newcomers. They welcomed eight freshmen and eight transfers. The transfers include; Dominik Bartecko (Mercyhurst), Grady Gallatin (Western Michigan), Lukas Klemm (Mercyhurst), Joel Lehtinen (Stonehill), Jack Rogers (St. Cloud State), Max Rud (Minnesota), Joseph Serpa (Mercyhurst), and Tyler Shea (Brown). The incoming freshmen include: Simon Binkley (Fairbanks, Alaska), Linden Burrett (Surrey, B.C.), Sam Elliott (White Rock, B.C.), Seth Fryer (Victoria, B.C.), Zach Howard (New Richmond, Wisc.), Jack Plandowski (Halifax, N.S.), Kyle Powers (Ottawa, Ont.), and Taisetsu Ushio (Hokkaido, Japan).

Coaching Addition
The Nanooks welcomed John McElaney as their newest assistant coach this offseason. McElaney joined the Nanooks following one season as an assistant coach at Colby College, where he was responsible for leading the program's recruiting efforts, player evaluation and admissions coordination. He also developed video breakdowns and pre-scouts, ran individual and small-group skill development sessions and coached the defensive corps while assisting with in-game strategy and adjustments. As an assistant coach at Alaska, McElaney will help direct the program's recruiting strategy, including prospect identification, evaluation, and admissions coordination. He will also utilize Sportlogiq and video analysis for opponent pre-scouting, player evaluation and development while leading individual skill sessions and assisting with team practice design. He will work primarily with the Nanooks' forward group while assisting with bench management, game strategy and special teams. He was a two-year captain of the Colby men's hockey team where he earned All-NESCAC and NESCAC All-Sportsmanship honors, alongside AHCA academic selections. 

The Largen Tape
Head coach Erik Largen returns to the bench for the Nanooks this season. Largen enters his ninth year as the Nanooks head coach after leading them to a 15-15-3 record a season ago. Last year's 'Nooks found succcess at home, going 7-4-1 at the Carlson Center while also going 3-0-1 on neutral ice. The 3-0-1 neutral site record proved worthy in the Adirondack Winter Invitational and the inaugural United Collegiate Hockey Cup. Alaska won the Adirondack, defeating St. Lawrence on Nov. 28, 2-0, before beating Clarkson for the title on Nov. 29 with a 3-2 win. At the UCHC, the Nanooks tied with Stonehill in the semifinals but won the shootout to advance to the finals against host school Lindenwood. They knocked the Lions off in OT, 4-3. Captain Chase Dafoescored the game-winner early in the OT period to secure the trophy for the Nanooks. Finally, the Nanooks also claimed the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup for the 15th straight season. They finished the year 6-1-1 against UAA, winning the cup in commanding fashion. 

Canned Food Drive
Bring four canned food or non-perishable food items to the Carlson Center on Friday, Sept. 25 to receive free admission to the night's game. All donated food items will be given to the Fairbanks Community Food Bank. 

Junior Nooks Night
In partnership with the Face-Off Club, the Nanooks welcome all kids 12 and under into Saturday night's game for free. Make sure you stop by the Face-Off Club table on the mezzanine level to inquire about the Junior Nooks Club and the Face-Off Club! 

Nanook Hall of Fame
Two former Nanooks will head into the Nanook Hall of Fame next Friday, Oct. 2. Former defensemen and captains, Jordan Hendry and Colton Parayko will be enshrined amongst the Nanooks greatest after their incredible careers in Fairbanks.

Jordan Hendry made a lasting impact on Alaska Nanooks hockey during his four-year career from 2002-06, helping the Nanooks capture four Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup titles while becoming a key leader on the Nanooks blue line. Hendry appeared in 112 games during his career, recording 36 points on 11 goals and 25 assists. He earned the Doug Desourcie Top Rookie award in 2003 and was named the Shawn Chambers Best Defenseman in 2006. Hendry served as an assistant captain during his final two seasons. Following his Alaska career, Hendry went on to a nine-year professional career that included 131 NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks, along with 263 AHL games. In 2010, he helped the Chicago Blackhawks capture the Stanley Cup. Hendry has remained connected to the Nanooks and the Fairbanks hockey community since his playing days, continuing to support UAF hockey and giving back to the sport through coaching youth hockey with Hockey Club Fairbanks.

Colton Parayko established himself as one of the most dominant defensemen in Alaska Nanooks hockey history during his three-year career from 2012-15. Parayko appeared in 104 games at Alaska, recording 66 points on 17 goals and 49 assists while posting a career-best +16 rating. He served as an assistant captain in 2013-14 before being named captain as a senior in 2014-15. Parayko was twice named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year and earned WCHA First All-Star Team and NCAA West Second All-American honors in both 2014 and 2015. He was also a two-time recipient of UAF's Shawn Chambers Best Defenseman award and earned numerous team honors, including the 2015 Chad Staley Team Player Award. Following his Nanooks career, Parayko quickly established himself in the NHL, earning All-Rookie Team honors in 2015-16 and becoming a key member of the St. Louis Blues. In 2019, he helped the Blues capture the Stanley Cup. Parayko has continued to represent Canada internationally, earning World Championship honors and a silver medal at the 2026 Olympics. Parayko's impact on hockey in Fairbanks has extended well beyond his playing career. He regularly returns to host the Colton Parayko Hockey Camp at Patty Ice Arena, working with young players of all ages and skill levels while giving back to the community that helped shape his career.

Fans can still purchase tickets to the Hall of Fame Luncheon happening next Friday, Oct. 2, in the Binkley Room at Pike's Waterfront Lodge using this link >> https://shorturl.at/BvGCr

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