2021–22 Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey season
men's ice hockey season
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Alaska_Nanooks_wordmark.png/250px-Alaska_Nanooks_wordmark.png)
Lenny Hoffman
Josh Erickson
Eric Yancey
« 2020–21 2022–23 »
The 2021–22 Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey season was the 72nd season of play for the program and the 37th at the Division I level. The Nanooks represented the University of Alaska Fairbanks and were coached by Erik Largen in his 3rd season.
Season
After the decision to cancel their previous season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alaska returned to the ice for the first time in 40 years without their long-time rival, Alaska Anchorage. The loss of their most consistent opponent could not have come at a worse time as the Nanooks also found themselves without a conference for the first time since the mid-1990s. The only advantage that Alaska had was that the NCAA still did not count games against schools from Alaska towards a team's limit of games per year. This allowed the Nanooks to insert themselves into the schedule of their opponents on short notice.
Alaska was rather ambitious with its early-season slate, playing their first 12 games against teams that were ranked for most or all of the season. As a result the Nanooks, who were still trying to build team chemistry, began the year with a terrible 1–12 record. It wasn't until December that the players started to work together consistently, but the early season struggles forged the Nanooks into a unified group.
After winning three consecutive games against Rensselaer, Alaska tied Denver and then defeated Minnesota, both of whom finished the season as top-5 teams. The Nanooks even managed to sweep Arizona State, who had NCAA tournament aspirations, in the midst of a 5-game winning streak. After December 10, Alaska finished their season 12–6–2 and demonstrated a tremendous improvement throughout the year.
Departures
Player | Position | Nationality | Cause |
---|---|---|---|
Roberts Blugers | Forward | ![]() | Left mid-season (signed with Pensacola Ice Flyers) |
Chris Jandric | Defenseman | ![]() | Transferred to North Dakota |
Recruiting
Player | Position | Nationality | Age | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Arvils Bergmanis | Defenseman | ![]() | 21 | Riga, LAT |
Karl Falk | Defenseman | ![]() | 21 | Värmdö, SWE |
Simon Falk | Forward | ![]() | 21 | Värmdö, SWE |
Payton Matsui | Forward | ![]() | 21 | Lakeville, MN |
Matt McKim | Forward | ![]() | 21 | St. John's, NL |
Matt Koethe | Forward | ![]() | 21 | Minnetonka, MN |
Connor Mylymok | Forward | ![]() | 21 | Jackson, MS |
Nátán Vertes | Forward | ![]() | 21 | Budapest, HUN |
Roster
As of September 23, 2021.[1]
No. | S/P/C | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | Daniel Allin | Sophomore | G | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2000-02-11 | Edmonton, Alberta | Drumheller (AJHL) | — |
2 | ![]() | Karl Falk | Freshman | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2000-01-20 | Västerås, Sweden | Minnesota Magicians (NAHL) | — |
4 | ![]() | Kristaps Jākobsons | Freshman (RS) | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 202 lb (92 kg) | 1996-12-25 | Tukums, Latvia | Zemgale (LHL) | — |
5 | ![]() | Markuss Komuls | Junior | D | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 187 lb (85 kg) | 1998-01-04 | Talsi, Latvia | Kenai River (NAHL) | — |
6 | ![]() | Didrik Henbrandt | Junior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 169 lb (77 kg) | 1998-04-10 | Linköping, Sweden | Minot (NAHL) | — |
7 | ![]() | Garrett Pyke | Junior | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1999-08-01 | Toronto, Ontario | Oakville (OJHL) | — |
8 | ![]() | Jordan Muzzillo | Senior | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1997-03-24 | Capron, Illinois | Springfield (NAHL) | — |
9 | ![]() | Matt McKim | Freshman | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2000-03-17 | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador | Valley (MHL) | — |
10 | ![]() | Ēriks Žohovs | Junior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 196 lb (89 kg) | 1997-11-26 | Riga, Latvia | Zemgale (LHL) | — |
11 | ![]() | Brady Risk | Sophomore | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1999-03-16 | Medicine Hat, Alebrta | Drumheller (AJHL) | — |
12 | ![]() | Caleb Hite | Senior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1997-02-11 | Grand Blanc, Michigan | Fairbanks (NAHL) | — |
13 | ![]() | Filip Fornåå Svensson | Junior | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 1999-01-05 | Linköping, Sweden | Linköpings J20 (J20 SuperElit) | — |
14 | ![]() | Anton Rubtsov | Sophomore | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1999-03-06 | Saint Petersburg, Russia | Shreveport (NAHL) | — |
15 | ![]() | Antonio DiPaolo | Sophomore | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1999-01-14 | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | Aberdeen (NAHL) | — |
16 | ![]() | Chase Dubois | Freshman (RS) | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | 1998-03-12 | Williams Lake, British Columbia | West Kelowna (BCHL) | — |
17 | ![]() | Colin Doyle | Senior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1998-05-12 | Campbellford, Ontario | Wellington (OJHL) | — |
18 | ![]() | Riley Murphy | Sophomore | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 192 lb (87 kg) | 1999-10-29 | Rockford, Michigan | Aberdeen (NAHL) | — |
20 | ![]() | Simon Falk | Freshman | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 2000-01-20 | Västerås, Sweden | Minnesota Magicians (NAHL) | — |
23 | ![]() | Roberts Kaļķis | Junior | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 1998-12-22 | Riga, Latvia | Rīga (MHL) | — |
24 | ![]() | Harrison Israels | Sophomore | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1999-09-01 | Mississauga, Ontario | Oakville (OJHL) | — |
25 | ![]() | Antti Virtanen | Senior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1998-03-14 | Kittilä, Finland | Sioux Falls (USHL) | — |
26 | ![]() | Payton Matsui | Freshman | F | 5' 7" (1.7 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | 2000-04-15 | Lakeville, Minnesota | Aberdeen (NAHL) | — |
27 | ![]() | Robert Blueger | Junior | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1998-08-03 | Riga, Latvia | Lake Superior State (WCHA) | — |
28 | ![]() | Brayden Nicholetts | Sophomore | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1999-08-27 | Spruce Grove, Alberta | Spruce Grove (AJHL) | — |
29 | ![]() | Nátán Vertes | Freshman | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 173 lb (78 kg) | 2000-05-19 | Budapest, Hungary | Aberdeen (NAHL) | — |
30 | ![]() | Gustavs Dāvis Grigals | Senior | G | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 189 lb (86 kg) | 1998-07-22 | Riga, Latvia | Shreveport (NAHL) | — |
32 | ![]() | Connor Mylymok | Freshman | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2000-03-18 | Wilcox, Saskatchewan | Austin (NAHL) | — |
35 | ![]() | Austin Ryman | Sophomore | G | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2000-11-20 | Fairbanks, Alaska | Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL) | — |
37 | ![]() | Jakob Breault | Sophomore | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1999-10-04 | Acton Vale, Quebec | Aberdeen (NAHL) | — |
38 | ![]() | Arvils Bergmanis | Freshman | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 187 lb (85 kg) | 1999-12-29 | Riga, Latvia | Olimp Riga (LHL) | — |
40 | ![]() | Matt Koethe | Sophomore | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1999-09-28 | Minnetonka, Minnesota | Fairbanks (NAHL) | — |
Standings
| |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Overall record | |||||||
GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | ||
Alaska | 34 | 14 | 18 | 2 | 87 | 95 | |
Arizona State | 35 | 17 | 17 | 1 | 116 | 121 | |
Long Island | 34 | 10 | 21 | 3 | 87 | 120 | |
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll |
Schedule and results
Date | Time | Opponent# | Rank# | Site | TV | Decision | Result | Attendance | Record | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Regular Season | |||||||||||
October 8 | 7:07 PM | #20 Clarkson* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | Grigals | L 1–2 | 1,278 | 0–1–0 | ||||
October 9 | 7:07 PM | #20 Clarkson* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | Grigals | W 2–1 | 1,412 | 1–1–0 | ||||
October 15 | 4:07 PM | at #13 Omaha* | Baxter Arena • Omaha, Nebraska | Grigals | L 2–3 | 3,709 | 1–2–0 | ||||
October 17 | 1:07 PM | at #13 Omaha* | Baxter Arena • Omaha, Nebraska | Grigals | L 1–5 | 3,314 | 1–3–0 | ||||
October 22 | 3:00 PM | at Clarkson* | Cheel Arena • Potsdam, New York | Allin | L 1–5 | 2,396 | 1–4–0 | ||||
October 23 | 3:00 PM | at Clarkson* | Cheel Arena • Potsdam, New York | Grigals | L 2–4 | 2,421 | 1–5–0 | ||||
October 29 | 3:07 PM | at #16 Cornell* | Lynah Rink • Ithaca, New York | Grigals | L 2–3 OT | 3,198 | 1–6–0 | ||||
October 30 | 3:07 PM | at #16 Cornell* | Lynah Rink • Ithaca, New York | Grigals | L 0–1 OT | 2,864 | 1–7–0 | ||||
November 19 | 7:07 PM | #9 Omaha* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | Grigals | L 2–5 | 2,253 | 1–8–0 | ||||
November 20 | 7:07 PM | #9 Omaha* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | Grigals | L 2–4 | 1,832 | 1–9–0 | ||||
November 26 | 4:07 PM | at #2 Minnesota Duluth* | AMSOIL Arena • Duluth, Minnesota | Grigals | L 1–5 | 5,012 | 1–10–0 | ||||
November 27 | 4:07 PM | at #2 Minnesota Duluth* | AMSOIL Arena • Duluth, Minnesota | Allin | L 0–1 OT | 4,786 | 1–11–0 | ||||
December 10 | 7:07 PM | Rensselaer* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | Grigals | L 1–4 | 1,134 | 1–12–0 | ||||
December 11 | 7:07 PM | Rensselaer* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | Grigals | W 4–0 | 1,325 | 2–12–0 | ||||
December 14 | 7:07 PM | Rensselaer* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | Grigals | W 3–2 | 1,033 | 3–12–0 | ||||
December 15 | 7:07 PM | Rensselaer* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | Grigals | W 4–1 | 1,205 | 4–12–0 | ||||
December 31 | 5:07 PM | at #8 Denver* | Magness Arena • Denver, Colorado | Allin | L 2–7 | 4,176 | 4–13–0 | ||||
January 1 | 4:07 PM | at #8 Denver* | Magness Arena • Denver, Colorado | Altitude 2 | Grigals | T 4–4 OT | 5,260 | 4–13–1 | |||
January 7 | 2:30 PM | at Maine* | Alfond Arena • Orono, Maine | Grigals | W 6–2 | 2,468 | 5–13–1 | ||||
January 8 | 2:00 PM | at Maine* | Alfond Arena • Orono, Maine | Grigals | L 2–4 | 2,978 | 5–14–1 | ||||
January 14 | 9:00 PM | at #8 Minnesota* | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | Grigals | L 1–4 | 7,624 | 5–15–1 | ||||
January 15 | 9:00 PM | at #8 Minnesota* | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | Grigals | W 3–2 | 8,083 | 6–15–1 | ||||
January 28 | 3:05 PM | at Vermont* | Gutterson Fieldhouse • Burlington, Vermont | Grigals | L 0–2 | 2,810 | 6–16–1 | ||||
January 29 | 3:05 PM | at Vermont* | Gutterson Fieldhouse • Burlington, Vermont | Grigals | W 3–0 | 2,827 | 7–16–1 | ||||
February 4 | 5:07 PM | at Arizona State* | Oceanside Ice Arena • Tempe, Arizona | Grigals | W 5–3 | 903 | 8–16–1 | ||||
February 5 | 5:07 PM | at Arizona State* | Oceanside Ice Arena • Tempe, Arizona | Grigals | W 4–3 | 903 | 9–16–1 | ||||
February 11 | 7:07 PM | St. Thomas* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | Grigals | W 6–1 | 1,650 | 10–16–1 | ||||
February 12 | 7:07 PM | St. Thomas* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | Grigals | W 7–3 | 1,738 | 11–16–1 | ||||
February 18 | 11:00 AM | at Long Island* | Northwell Health Ice Center • East Meadow, New York | Grigals | L 1–4 | 114 | 11–17–1 | ||||
February 19 | 10:00 AM | at Long Island* | Northwell Health Ice Center • East Meadow, New York | Allin | W 4–3 | 32 | 12–17–1 | ||||
February 25 | 7:07 PM | Arizona State* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | Grigals | W 3–2 | 1,525 | 13–17–1 | ||||
February 26 | 7:07 PM | Arizona State* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | Grigals | T 1–1 OT | 2,302 | 13–17–2 | ||||
March 4 | 7:07 PM | Long Island* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | Grigals | L 3–2 | 2,134 | 13–18–2 | ||||
March 5 | 7:07 PM | Long Island* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | Grigals | W 5–1 | 2,297 | 14–18–2 | ||||
March 9 | 3:05 PM | at USNTDP* | USA Hockey Arena • Plymouth, Michigan (Exhibition) | Allin | L 2–5 | 568 | |||||
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Alaska Time. Source:[2] |
Scoring statistics
Name | Position | Games | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Filip Fornåå Svensson | C/RW | 34 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 12 |
Brady Risk | F | 31 | 10 | 14 | 24 | 27 |
Didrik Henbrant | RW | 34 | 11 | 9 | 20 | 37 |
Garrett Pyke | F/D | 34 | 4 | 16 | 20 | 46 |
Antti Virtanen | D | 30 | 3 | 16 | 19 | 28 |
Anton Rubtsov | F | 24 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 16 |
Chase Dubois | F | 26 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 2 |
Harrison Israels | C/LW | 29 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 2 |
Matt Koethe | F | 30 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 20 |
Roberts Kaļķis | D | 33 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 33 |
Jordan Muzzillo | D | 34 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 44 |
Arvils Bergmanis | D | 34 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 26 |
Markuss Komuls | D | 31 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
Caleb Hite | F | 29 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
Connor Mylymok | LW | 18 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 32 |
Simon Falk | C/RW | 24 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
Ēriks Žohovs | C | 24 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 17 |
Payton Matsui | F | 26 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
Colin Doyle | C | 25 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 33 |
Jakob Breault | C | 18 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 42 |
Brayden Nicholetts | F | 15 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 10 |
Kristaps Jākobsons | D | 16 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
Riley Murphy | F | 16 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 22 |
Roberts Bļugers | LW/RW | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Matthew McKim | LW | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Antonio Di Paolo | D | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Nátán Vertes | RW | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
Daniel Allin | G | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Karl Falk | D | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Gustavs Dāvis Grigals | G | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Total | 87 | 152 | 239 | 516 |
[3]
Goaltending statistics
Name | Games | Minutes | Wins | Losses | Ties | Goals Against | Saves | Shut Outs | SV % | GAA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gustavs Dāvis Grigals | 31 | 1792 | 13 | 15 | 2 | 72 | 819 | 2 | .919 | 2.41 |
Daniel Allin | 6 | 243 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 104 | 0 | .867 | 3.95 |
Empty Net | - | 21 | - | - | - | 7 | - | - | - | - |
Total | 34 | 2056 | 14 | 18 | 2 | 95 | 923 | 2 | .907 | 2.77 |
Rankings
Poll | Week | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 (Final) | |
USCHO.com | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | - | NR |
USA Today | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Note: USCHO did not release a poll in week 24.[4]
References
- ^ "2020–21 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ "Alaska 2021-22 Team Schedule". College Hockey Inc. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ "Univ. of Alaska-Fairbanks 2021-2022 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
- ^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.