University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

Erik Largen enters his ninth season as head coach of the Alaska Nanooks hockey program in 2026-27. A Fairbanks native and former Alaska goaltender, Largen was named the program's 10th head coach on April 30, 2018, becoming the youngest head coach in NCAA hockey at the time of his hiring. He first joined the Nanooks coaching staff as an assistant in August 2016, serving under head coach Dallas Ferguson and interim head coach Lance West before taking over the program.

Largen guided Alaska through its transition to independent competition, beginning with the 2018-19 season. In his first year as head coach, the Nanooks finished 12-21-3 and defeated then-No. 4 Minnesota State 1-0 at the Carlson Center while retaining the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup. The following season, Alaska posted a 16-15-5 record, finishing above .500 for the first time since 2014-15 and hosting the first round of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs for the first time since 2013-14. The 2020-21 season was canceled due to COVID-19.

Alaska returned to independent competition in 2021-22, finishing 14-18-2. The Nanooks closed their 2021 home schedule with a three-game winning streak against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute before tying No. 8/8 Denver and defeating No. 8/8 Minnesota on the road to open the second half of the year. Alaska also went 3-0-1 against independent rival Arizona State.

The 2022-23 season marked a major milestone under Largen, as the Nanooks finished 22-10-2, their most victories since 2001-02. After opening the season 5-7-2, Alaska surged to a 17-3-0 record beginning Dec. 9, 2022, including a win at No. 19/17 Notre Dame and the program's first-ever victory at Denver's Magness Arena against then-No. 1/2 Denver. The Nanooks swept Alaska Anchorage to earn their 12th consecutive Governor's Cup and finished 17th in the PairWise rankings, narrowly missing the NCAA Division I Tournament by one spot. Largen was named the Everything College Hockey Coach of the Year and a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award. Goaltender Matt Radomsky also earned Hockey Commissioners Association December Goaltender of the Month honors. Largen signed a five-year contract extension in April 2023, keeping him with Alaska through the 2027-28 season.

Alaska followed that breakthrough with another winning season in 2023-24, finishing 17-14-3. The Nanooks opened the campaign with victories over nationally ranked Michigan Tech and St. Cloud State, then extended their winning streak to five games with sweeps of in-state rival Alaska Anchorage and Stonehill. Alaska captured its 13th consecutive Governor's Cup and finished third at the Great Lakes Invitational, including a third-place game victory over Ferris State.

In 2024-25, the Nanooks finished 12-14-6 and continued to deliver signature performances against nationally ranked opponents. Alaska had a 1-0 road victory over No. 18 Notre Dame on Oct. 19, followed by a 3-1 win over receiving-votes Clarkson on Nov. 1. The Nanooks earned a tie and a victory in their series at No. 20 Union on Nov. 8-9, then tied No. 3/4 Minnesota and won the shootout on Nov. 29. Alaska also defeated receiving-votes Augustana 2-1 on Dec. 7, finished third at the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off and captured its 14th consecutive Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup series over Alaska Anchorage.

The 2025-26 season brought additional tournament success and a championship finish. Alaska placed second at the Icebreaker Tournament in Tempe, Arizona, highlighted by a 2-1 upset of No. 8/9 Quinnipiac on Oct. 10. The Nanooks followed with a 5-1 victory over receiving-votes Michigan Tech on Oct. 18 and earned a tie and shootout win at No. 5 Quinnipiac on Nov. 4. In January, Alaska defeated No. 16 Providence 5-1 before winning the Adirondack Winter Invitational in Lake Placid, New York, with victories over St. Lawrence and Clarkson. The Nanooks also secured their 15th consecutive Governor's Cup series victory over Alaska Anchorage.

Alaska capped the season by earning the No. 1 seed at the inaugural United Collegiate Hockey Cup. The Nanooks advanced past Stonehill with a tie and shootout victory in the semifinals before defeating Lindenwood 4-3 in overtime on March 7, 2026, to claim the championship. Chase Dafoe scored the game-winning goal just seconds into overtime, delivering a memorable finish to the season. Largen was also named a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award following the campaign.

Before returning to Alaska as head coach, Largen spent the 2015-16 season leading Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. In his first season with the NCAA Division III program, he guided the Sabres to an 18-7-3 overall record and a 15-4-1 mark in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play. His coaching experience also includes stops in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League and Minnesota Junior Hockey League. He served as an assistant coach with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs from 2009-11, helping the team reach the Robertson Cup championship game in 2010 and win the title in 2011.

Largen played collegiately at Alaska as a goaltender and earned a place on the College Hockey Honor Roll in the Fairbanks Hockey Hall of Fame. A lifelong member of the Fairbanks hockey community, he has also helped organize community events that connect Nanook hockey with fans and supporters throughout Interior Alaska.