# 2023–24 Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey season

The 2023–24 Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey season was the 74th season of play for the program and 39th at the Division I level. The Nanooks represented the University of Alaska Fairbanks and were coached by Erik Largen in his 5th season.

## Season

After narrowly missing out on the NCAA tournament in 2023, Alaska entered the year hoping for another chance at postseason play. The primary goal for the club would be to replace the stellar effort of the now-graduated Matt Radomsky in goal. That task fell first to transfer Pierce Charleson but he had a tough time at the start. The Nanooks opened the year by dropping a match to Denver that saw all three goaltenders in goal. Charleson and nominal backup Lassi Lehti allowed 4 and 3 goals respectively while Will Hambley stopped all the shots he faced (albeit in only 4 minutes). Hambley got the start in the second game and allowed the Pioneers to make a fool of him as well. After the poor start, Pierce Charleson settled into the starting role with a winning road trip over the next two weeks against a pair of ranked opponents. Alaska's offense appeared to be a strength early in the year but a sweep at the hands of Northern Michigan around Thanksgiving demonstrated that the team still had some work to do.
Despite some hiccups, Alaska possessed a winning record by Christmas and had a chance to move up into an at-large berth if it performed well in the second half of the season. The Nanooks kicked off their return with an appearance at the Great Lakes Invitational. An overtime loss in the semifinal stopped the team from getting anywhere in the PairWise rankings but that could easily be rectified the following week when they faced #4 North Dakota. Anything positive could have raised the teams tournament hopes a great deal, however, the Nanooks ended up getting swept in the series. The losses did not end the team's postseason hopes immediately, however, they gave Alaska no room for error in the remainder of their schedule.
The Nanooks still had four games against Arizona State, a ranked team, but the rest of their slate was filled with average-to-bad teams that would not provide much help even if the Nanooks were to sweep every match. For Alaska to make the postseason, they would likely have to run the table or at least come close. Unfortunately, their old rival Alaska Anchorage had other ideas. Still smarting over losing the previous 10 games, the Seawolves redoubled their efforts and forced Alaska into a tie and then followed that up with their first win against the Nanooks in over 4 years. The loss started a 4-game slump in Alaska's offense and by the time the Nanooks pulled out of the dive, their postseason hopes had been shattered. With nothing to lose, Lehti was given the starting job at the end of the season and performed well over a 4-week stretch. The wins helped to lift the team's record above .500 for the season and gave a possible glimpse at the Nanooks' future starting goalie.

## Departures

| Player | Position | Nationality | Cause |
| Daniel Allin | Goaltender | Canada | Left program (retired) |
| Karl Falk | Defenseman | Sweden | Transferred to St. Cloud State |
| Simon Falk | Forward | Sweden | Transferred to Augustana |
| Markuss Komuls | Defenseman | Latvia | Graduation (signed with Trois-Rivières Lions) |
| Ricards Landmanis | Defenseman | Latvia | Left program (retired) |
| Connor Mylymok | Forward | United States | Transferred to Niagara |
| Zachary Power | Forward | Canada | Left program (retired) |
| Garrett Pyke | Defenseman | Canada | Graduate transfer to North Dakota |
| Matt Radomsky | Goaltender | Canada | Graduation (signed with Calgary Wranglers) |
| Quinn Rudrud | Forward | United States | Transferred to Augustana |

## Recruiting

| Player | Position | Nationality | Age | Notes |
| Cade Ahrenholz | Forward | United States | 20 | Lakeville, MN; transfer from Colorado College |
| Edvards Bergmanis | Forward | Latvia | 21 | Spilve, LAT |
| Dawson Bruneski | Defenseman | Canada | 24 | Camrose, AB; graduate transfer from Maine |
| Pierce Charleson | Goaltender | Canada | 23 | Aurora, ON; transfer from Michigan State |
| Chase Dafoe | Forward | United States | 21 | Beverly, MA; transfer from Providence |
| William Hambley | Goaltender | Canada | 21 | Cole Harbour, NS; transfer from Western Michigan |
| William Lawson-Body | Forward | United States | 21 | Grand Forks, ND |
| Caleb MacDonald | Defenseman | Canada | 20 | Cambridge, ON |
| Derek Pys | Defenseman | Canada | 21 | Ayr, ON |
| Broten Sabo | Defenseman | United States | 21 | Rosemount, MN |
| Filip Wiberg | Forward | Norway | 21 | Trondheim, NOR |

## Roster

As of September 20, 2023.

## Standings

2023–24 NCAA Division I Independent ice hockey standingsvte :
| | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record |
| | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA |
| Alaska | 34 | 17 | 14 | 3 | 110 | 86 |
| Alaska Anchorage | 34 | 15 | 17 | 2 | 95 | 105 |
| Arizona State | 38 | 24 | 8 | 6 | 129 | 94 |
| Lindenwood | 28 | 6 | 18 | 4 | 74 | 121 |
| Long Island | 37 | 16 | 20 | 1 | 115 | 103 |
| Stonehill | 36 | 2 | 34 | 0 | 62 | 213 |
| Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll ||||||||

## Schedule and results

| Date | Time | Opponent$^#$ | Site | TV | Decision | Result | Attendance | Record |
| Exhibition ||||||||||
| September 30 | 7:07 pm | Vancouver Island* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska (Exhibition) | FloHockey | Charleson | W 8–1 | | |
| Regular Season ||||||||||
| October 7 | 7:07 pm | #4 Denver* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | FloHockey | Charleson | L 3–7 | 1,962 | 0–1–0 |
| October 8 | 5:07 pm | #4 Denver* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | FloHockey | Hambley | L 2–5 | 1,421 | 0–2–0 |
| October 13 | 3:07 pm | at #9 Michigan Tech* | MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, Michigan | FloHockey | Charleson | W 4–1 | 3,454 | 1–2–0 |
| October 14 | 2:07 pm | at #9 Michigan Tech* | MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, Michigan | FloHockey | Charleson | T 2–2 $^{OT}$ | 3,454 | 1–2–1 |
| October 20 | 4:30 pm | at #20 St. Cloud State* | Herb Brooks National Hockey Center • St. Cloud, Minnesota | Fox 9+ | Charleson | L 1–4 | 3,626 | 1–3–1 |
| October 21 | 3:00 pm | at #20 St. Cloud State* | Herb Brooks National Hockey Center • St. Cloud, Minnesota | Fox 9+ | Charleson | W 5–2 | 3,314 | 2–3–1 |
| November 3 | 7:07 pm | Alaska Anchorage* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | FloHockey | Charleson | W 6–1 | 3,112 | 3–3–1 |
| November 4 | 7:07 pm | Alaska Anchorage* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | FloHockey | Charleson | W 5–4 | 4,086 | 4–3–1 |
| November 10 | 3:00 pm | at Stonehill* | Bridgewater Ice Arena • Bridgewater, Massachusetts | NEC Front Row | Charleson | W 3–1 | 311 | 5–3–1 |
| November 11 | 12:00 pm | at Stonehill* | Bridgewater Ice Arena • Bridgewater, Massachusetts | NEC Front Row | Charleson | W 8–1 | 318 | 6–3–1 |
| November 17 | 3:07 pm | at Northern Michigan* | Berry Events Center • Marquette, Michigan | FloHockey | Charleson | L 1–3 | 2,303 | 6–4–1 |
| November 18 | 2:07 pm | at Northern Michigan* | Berry Events Center • Marquette, Michigan | FloHockey | Charleson | L 1–3 | 2,381 | 6–5–1 |
| December 1 | 7:07 pm | at Alaska Anchorage* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | | Charleson | W 5–0 | 951 | 7–5–1 |
| December 2 | 6:07 pm | at Alaska Anchorage* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | | Charleson | W 3–1 | 966 | 8–5–1 |
| December 15 | 7:07 pm | Augustana* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | FloHockey | Charleson | W 5–2 | 2,343 | 9–5–1 |
| December 16 | 7:07 pm | Augustana* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | FloHockey | Charleson | L 2–3 $^{OT}$ | 2,892 | 9–6–1 |
| Great Lakes Invitational ||||||||||
| December 28 | 11:30 am | vs. Michigan Tech* | Van Andel Arena • Grand Rapids, Michigan (Great Lakes Invitational Semifinal) | FloHockey | Charleson | L 2–3 $^{OT}$ | 6,880 | 9–7–1 |
| December 29 | 11:30 am | vs. Ferris State* | Van Andel Arena • Grand Rapids, Michigan (Great Lakes Invitational Consolation Game) | FloHockey | Charleson | W 3–2 | — | 10–7–1 |
| January 5 | 4:07 pm | at #4 North Dakota* | Ralph Engelstad Arena • Grand Forks, North Dakota | Midco | Charleson | L 4–6 | 11,190 | 10–8–1 |
| January 6 | 3:07 pm | at #4 North Dakota* | Ralph Engelstad Arena • Grand Forks, North Dakota | Midco | Charleson | L 2–6 | 11,656 | 10–9–1 |
| January 13 | 7:07 pm | Alaska Anchorage* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | FloHockey | Charleson | T 2–2 $^{OT}$ | 3,013 | 10–9–2 |
| January 26 | 10:30 am | at Long Island* | Northwell Health Ice Center • East Meadow, New York | ESPN+ | Charleson | W 7–3 | 255 | 11–9–2 |
| January 27 | 10:00 am | at Long Island* | Northwell Health Ice Center • East Meadow, New York | ESPN+ | Charleson | W 3–1 | 350 | 12–9–2 |
| February 3 | 5:07 pm | at Alaska Anchorage* | Avis Alaska Sports Complex • Anchorage, Alaska (Governor's Cup) | | Charleson | L 2–4 | 712 | 12–10–2 |
| February 9 | 5:00 pm | at #18 Arizona State* | Mullett Arena • Tempe, Arizona | | Charleson | L 0–2 | 4,769 | 12–11–2 |
| February 10 | 3:00 pm | at #18 Arizona State* | Mullett Arena • Tempe, Arizona | | Charleson | L 2–4 | 4,843 | 12–12–2 |
| February 16 | 7:07 pm | Long Island* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | FloHockey | Charleson | L 0–4 | 2,024 | 12–13–2 |
| February 17 | 7:07 pm | Long Island* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | FloHockey | Lehti | W 4–0 | 1,776 | 13–13–2 |
| February 23 | 7:07 pm | #18 Arizona State* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | FloHockey | Lehti | W 3–1 | 2,209 | 14–13–2 |
| February 24 | 7:07 pm | #18 Arizona State* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | FloHockey | Lehti | L 3–4 $^{OT}$ | 3,984 | 14–14–2 |
| March 1 | 4:07 pm | at Augustana* | Midco Arena • Sioux Falls, South Dakota | FloHockey | Charleson | T 2–2 $^{OT}$ | 2,667 | 14–14–3 |
| March 2 | 3:07 pm | at Augustana* | Midco Arena • Sioux Falls, South Dakota | FloHockey | Lehti | W 2–0 | 3,097 | 15–14–3 |
| March 6 | 7:07 pm | Stonehill* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | FloHockey | Lehti | W 9–1 | 1,978 | 16–14–3 |
| March 7 | 7:07 pm | Stonehill* | Carlson Center • Fairbanks, Alaska | FloHockey | Charleson | W 4–1 | 2,001 | 17–14–3 |
| *Non-conference game. $^#$Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Alaska Time. Source: ||||||||||

## Scoring statistics

| Name | Position | Games | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM |
| Brady Risk | F | 33 | 13 | 20 | 33 | 16 |
| Anton Rubtsov | F | 30 | 8 | 20 | 28 | 14 |
| Harrison Israels | C | 33 | 20 | 6 | 26 | 14 |
| Payton Matsui | F | 34 | 5 | 15 | 20 | 6 |
| Arvils Bergmanis | D | 31 | 2 | 17 | 19 | 39 |
| T. J. Lloyd | D | 34 | 3 | 16 | 19 | 33 |
| Cade Neilson | C | 31 | 5 | 14 | 19 | 22 |
| Braden Birnie | F | 33 | 3 | 14 | 17 | 21 |
| Jonny Sorenson | F | 33 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 33 |
| A. J. Macaulay | D | 34 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 14 |
| Caleb MacDonald | D | 31 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 38 |
| Chase Dafoe | F | 31 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 54 |
| Matt Koethe | F | 31 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 10 |
| Chase Dubois | F | 30 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 19 |
| Kyle Gaffney | F | 34 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 16 |
| Dawson Bruneski | D | 29 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 70 |
| William Lawson-Body | F | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 15 |
| Cade Ahrenholz | F | 23 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 10 |
| Brayden Nicholetts | F | 17 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 10 |
| Xavier Jean-Louis | D | 26 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 20 |
| Broten Sabo | D | 28 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 |
| Will Hilfiker | D | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 15 |
| Filip Wiberg | F | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Derek Pys | D | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 17 |
| Lassi Lehti | G | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Matteo Pecchia | LW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Will Hambley | G | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Edvards Bergmanis | F | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pierce Charleson | G | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | | | 110 | 194 | 304 | 522 |

## Goaltending statistics

| Name | Games | Minutes | Wins | Losses | Ties | Goals Against | Saves | Shut Outs | SV % | GAA |
| Lassi Lehti | 9 | 338:46 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 134 | 2 | .931 | 1.77 |
| Pierce Charleson | 29 | 1635:43 | 13 | 11 | 3 | 67 | 605 | 1 | .900 | 2.46 |
| Will Hambley | 6 | 51:35 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 0 | .786 | 3.49 |
| Empty Net | - | 31:18 | - | - | - | 6 | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 34 | 2057:22 | 17 | 14 | 3 | 86 | 751 | 3 | .897 | 2.51 |

## 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 | 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 | 26 (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 Hockey | 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 weeks 11 and 25. Note: USA Hockey did not release a poll in week 12.