# 2017–18 Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey season

The 2017–18 Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey season was the 69th season of play for the program, the 34th at the Division I level and the 5th in the WCHA conference. The Nanooks represented the University of Alaska Fairbanks and were coached by Lance West, in his 1st season.

## Season

After the resignation of Dallas Ferguson, long-time assistant coach Lance West was promoted to interim head coach while the school decided who would lead the program.
The team got off to a bit of a slow start, going winless in its first four games. A sweep of arch-rival Alaska Anchorage got the team on the winning side of the ledger entering conference play, however, the Nanooks weren't able to get many wins afterwards. After notching one victory in their next seven matches, the team started showing some jam when they took down #20 Northern Michigan, 4–1. After a second sweep of the Seawolves, Alaska looked to be well positioned when they split with #8 Minnesota State in mid-January, however, goaltending became a problem afterwards. Neither regular starter Anton Martinsson nor backup Niko Della Maggiore were able to keep the puck out of the net on several occasions. Unfortunately, even when they were, the offense usually failed to do much. Alaska went 2–9–1 in their last 11 games and, other than their sweep of Ferris State, Alaska wasn't able to muster much in the way of scoring. To make matters worse, they faced Alaska Anchorage in the regular season finale and were swept at home. The two wins for the Seawolves were half of their total for the year and seemed to take the fight out of the Nanooks.
Alaska just held onto the 8th and final spot for the WCHA Tournament and the team's reward was to face Minnesota State, who had now risen to #3 in the polls. Alaska was trounced in the two games, getting outshot 45–78 and outscored 4–14. After the team's melt-down in the later part of the season, Alaska decided not to retain Lance West and instead turned the team over to his assistant, Erik Largen.

## Departures

| Player | Position | Nationality | Cause |
| Marcus Basara | Forward | Canada | Graduation (signed with Orlando Solar Bears) |
| Jordan Burns | Defenseman | Canada | Transferred to Regina |
| Josh Erickson | Forward | United States | Graduation (signed with Knoxville Ice Bears) |
| Jesse Jenks | Goaltender | Canada | Left program (retired) |
| Davis Jones | Goaltender | Canada | Graduation (signed with Alaska Aces) |
| Brandon Morley | Forward | Canada | Graduation (signed with TSV Peißenberg) |
| John Mullally | Forward | Canada | Transferred to Saint Mary's |

## Recruiting

| Player | Position | Nationality | Age | Notes |
| Brennan Blaszczak | Forward | United States | 21 | Las Vegas, NV |
| Steven Jandric | Forward | Canada | 20 | Prince George, BC |
| Max Newton | Forward | Canada | 19 | Vancouver, BC |
| Tony Rehm | Goaltender | United States | 20 | Madison, WI |
| Justin Young | Forward | Canada | 19 | Leduc, AB |

## Standings

2017–18 Western Collegiate Hockey Association standingsvte :
| | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record |
| | GP | W | L | T | SOW | PTS | GF | GA | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA |
| #9 Minnesota State† | 28 | 22 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 67 | 116 | 58 | 40 | 29 | 10 | 1 | 153 | 84 |
| #20 Northern Michigan | 28 | 19 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 61 | 85 | 64 | 43 | 25 | 15 | 3 | 130 | 108 |
| Bowling Green | 28 | 17 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 58 | 87 | 63 | 41 | 23 | 12 | 6 | 122 | 100 |
| Bemidji State | 28 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 49 | 77 | 63 | 38 | 16 | 14 | 8 | 103 | 95 |
| #16 Michigan Tech* | 28 | 12 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 43 | 82 | 75 | 44 | 22 | 17 | 5 | 134 | 117 |
| Ferris State | 28 | 11 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 68 | 86 | 38 | 14 | 23 | 1 | 87 | 122 |
| Alabama–Huntsville | 28 | 10 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 33 | 69 | 86 | 37 | 12 | 23 | 2 | 84 | 121 |
| Alaska | 28 | 9 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 30 | 74 | 85 | 36 | 11 | 22 | 3 | 97 | 118 |
| Lake Superior State | 28 | 8 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 27 | 59 | 90 | 36 | 10 | 22 | 4 | 76 | 121 |
| Alaska Anchorage | 28 | 4 | 21 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 55 | 102 | 34 | 4 | 26 | 4 | 65 | 124 |
| Championship: March 17, 2018 † indicates conference regular season champion (MacNaughton Cup) * indicates conference tournament champion (Broadmoor Trophy) Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll; updated March 5, 2018 ||||||||||||||||

## Schedule and results

| Date | Time | Opponent$^#$ | Site | TV | Decision | Result | Attendance | Record |
| Exhibition ||||||||||
| September 29 | 7:07 PM | vs. Simon Fraser* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | | Martinsson | W 6–0 | 1,023 | |
| Regular Season ||||||||||
| October 6 | 7:07 PM | vs. #17 Air Force* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | | Martinsson | L 2–3 | 1,195 | 0–1–0 |
| October 7 | 7:07 PM | vs. #17 Air Force* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | | Martinsson | T 1–1 $^{3x3OTW}$ | 2,649 | 0–1–1 |
| October 13 | 4:37 PM | at #6 St. Cloud State* | Herb Brooks National Hockey Center • St. Cloud, Minnesota | | Martinsson | L 3–6 | 3,628 | 0–2–1 |
| October 14 | 4:07 PM | at #6 St. Cloud State* | Herb Brooks National Hockey Center • St. Cloud, Minnesota | FSN+ | Martinsson | L 4–5 $^{OT}$ | 4,048 | 0–3–1 |
| October 20 | 7:07 PM | at Alaska Anchorage* | Sullivan Arena • Anchorage, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | | Martinsson | W 6–2 | 2,846 | 1–3–1 |
| October 21 | 7:07 PM | vs. Alaska Anchorage* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | | Martinsson | W 3–2 | 3,128 | 2–3–1 |
| October 27 | 3:37 PM | at Bowling Green | Slater Family Ice Arena • Bowling Green, Ohio | | Martinsson | L 1–2 | 1,910 | 2–4–1 (0–1–0) |
| October 28 | 3:07 PM | at Bowling Green | Slater Family Ice Arena • Bowling Green, Ohio | | Martinsson | T 2–2 $^{SOW}$ | 1,922 | 2–4–2 (0–1–1) |
| November 3 | 7:07 PM | vs. Bemidji State | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | | Martinsson | W 4–3 $^{OT}$ | 2,860 | 3–4–2 (1–1–1) |
| November 4 | 7:00 PM | vs. Bemidji State | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | | Martinsson | L 2–3 | 2,134 | 3–5–2 (1–2–1) |
| November 10 | 3:07 PM | at Ferris State | Ewigleben Arena • Big Rapids, Michigan | | Martinsson | L 1–3 | 1,548 | 3–6–2 (1–3–1) |
| November 11 | 3:07 PM | at Ferris State | Ewigleben Arena • Big Rapids, Michigan | | Martinsson | L 3–5 | 1,797 | 3–7–2 (1–4–1) |
| November 17 | 7:07 PM | at #20 Northern Michigan | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | | Martinsson | L 3–5 | 2,133 | 3–8–2 (1–5–1) |
| November 18 | 7:07 PM | at #20 Northern Michigan | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | | Della Maggiore | W 4–1 | 2,336 | 4–8–2 (2–5–1) |
| November 24 | 7:07 PM | vs. Michigan Tech | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | | Della Maggiore | L 4–5 $^{OT}$ | 1,866 | 4–9–2 (2–6–1) |
| November 25 | 7:07 PM | vs. Michigan Tech | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | | Martinsson | L 1–5 | 2,251 | 4–10–2 (2–7–1) |
| December 1 | 3:07 PM | at Lake Superior State | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | | Martinsson | W 5–3 | 1,556 | 5–10–2 (3–7–1) |
| December 2 | 3:07 PM | at Lake Superior State | Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | | Martinsson | L 1–4 | 1,526 | 5–11–2 (3–8–1) |
| December 8 | 7:11 PM | at Alaska Anchorage | Sullivan Arena • Anchorage, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | | Martinsson | W 7–2 | 2,298 | 6–11–2 (4–8–1) |
| December 9 | 7:10 PM | at Alaska Anchorage | Sullivan Arena • Anchorage, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | | Martinsson | W 3–2 | 2,264 | 7–11–2 (5–8–1) |
| January 5 | 7:07 PM | vs. Alabama–Huntsville | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | | Martinsson | W 3–2 | 2,478 | 8–11–2 (6–8–1) |
| January 6 | 7:07 PM | vs. Alabama–Huntsville | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | | Martinsson | L 1–3 | 2,694 | 8–12–2 (6–9–1) |
| January 12 | 7:07 PM | vs. #8 Minnesota State | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | | Martinsson | W 5–0 | 1,988 | 9–12–2 (7–9–1) |
| January 13 | 7:07 PM | vs. #8 Minnesota State | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | | Martinsson | L 1–5 | 2,319 | 9–13–2 (7–10–1) |
| January 19 | 3:07 PM | at Michigan Tech | MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, Michigan | | Martinsson | L 2–5 | 3,781 | 9–14–2 (7–11–1) |
| January 20 | 3:07 PM | at Michigan Tech | MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, Michigan | | Della Maggiore | L 3–4 | 3,365 | 9–15–2 (7–12–1) |
| February 2 | 7:07 PM | vs. Ferris State | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | | Martinsson | W 4–2 | 2,232 | 10–15–2 (8–12–1) |
| February 3 | 7:07 PM | vs. Ferris State | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | | Martinsson | W 4–1 | 2,472 | 11–15–2 (9–12–1) |
| February 9 | 3:00 PM | at #20 Northern Michigan | Berry Events Center • Marquette, Michigan | | Martinsson | L 1–2 $^{OT}$ | 1,982 | 11–16–2 (9–13–1) |
| February 10 | 3:00 PM | at #20 Northern Michigan | Berry Events Center • Marquette, Michigan | | Martinsson | L 1–4 | 2,598 | 11–17–2 (9–14–1) |
| February 15 | 4:07 PM | at Bemidji State | Sanford Center • Bemidji, Minnesota | | Martinsson | T 2–2 $^{3x3OTL}$ | 2,303 | 11–17–3 (9–14–2) |
| February 16 | 4:07 PM | at Bemidji State | Sanford Center • Bemidji, Minnesota | | Martinsson | L 1–2 | 3,098 | 11–18–3 (9–15–2) |
| February 23 | 7:07 PM | vs. Alaska Anchorage | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | | Martinsson | L 3–5 | 2,696 | 11–19–3 (9–16–2) |
| February 24 | 7:07 PM | vs. Alaska Anchorage | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | | Della Maggiore | L 2–3 | 2,876 | 11–20–3 (9–17–2) |
| WCHA Tournament ||||||||||
| March 2 | 4:07 PM | at #3 Minnesota State* | Verizon Wireless Center • Mankato, Minnesota (WCHA Quarterfinals game 1) | | Martinsson | L 2–8 | 2,941 | 11–21–3 |
| March 3 | 4:07 PM | at #3 Minnesota State* | Verizon Wireless Center • Mankato, Minnesota (WCHA Quarterfinals game 2) | | Della Maggiore | L 2–6 | 2,876 | 11–22–3 |
| Alaska Lost Series 0–2 ||||||||||
| *Non-conference game. $^#$Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Alaska Time. Source: ||||||||||

## Scoring statistics

| Name | Position | Games | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM |
| Zach Frye | D | 35 | 11 | 23 | 34 | 100 |
| Steven Jandric | LW | 36 | 4 | 19 | 23 | 39 |
| Colton Leiter | C/D | 31 | 9 | 11 | 20 | 45 |
| Justin Woods | D | 36 | 9 | 11 | 20 | 20 |
| Kyler Hope | F | 34 | 8 | 12 | 20 | 34 |
| Troy Van Tetering | LW | 36 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 6 |
| Chad Staley | C | 36 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 20 |
| Tayler Munson | C/RW | 32 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 26 |
| Tyler Cline | C/LW | 27 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 33 |
| Nikolas Koberstein | D | 36 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 42 |
| Tristan Thompson | D | 35 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 18 |
| Ross Heidt | RW | 34 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 6 |
| Ryker Leer | LW | 34 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 14 |
| James LaDouce | D | 27 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 22 |
| Kyle Marino | C/D | 31 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 58 |
| Justin Young | C | 32 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| Nick Hinz | D | 30 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| Max Newton | F | 25 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 38 |
| Austin Vieth | C/LW | 28 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 26 |
| Jack Weiss | D | 24 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 21 |
| Brennan Blaszczak | F | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Danny Kiraly | D | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Aaron Herdt | C/LW | 14 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| Anton Martinsson | G | 32 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Kyle Froese | D | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Niko Della Maggiore | G | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bench | - | - | - | - | - | 6 |
| Total | | | 97 | 167 | 264 | 610 |

## Goaltending statistics

| Name | Games | Minutes | Wins | Losses | Ties | Goals Against | Saves | Shut Outs | SV % | GAA |
| Niko Della Maggiore | 10 | 437 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 21 | 207 | 0 | .899 | 2.88 |
| Anton Martinsson | 32 | 1721 | 10 | 18 | 3 | 91 | 727 | 1 | .889 | 3.17 |
| Empty Net | - | 24 | - | - | - | 6 | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 36 | 2183 | 11 | 22 | 3 | 118 | 913 | 1 | .886 | 3.24 |

## Rankings

| Poll | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | 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 |
USCHO did not release a poll in Week 24.

## Awards and honors

| Player | Award | Ref |
| Zach Frye | All-WCHA First Team | |
| Steven Jandric | WCHA All-Rookie Team | |