Alaska, the largest state in the United States, boasts a rich and vibrant hockey history. From its early beginnings in the early 1900s to the rise of professional teams and college programs, hockey has deep roots in Alaska's culture and community.
Organized hockey in Fairbanks dates back to the early 1900s. On December 20, 1906, it was reported that the local hockey teams were getting a lot of practice in and that a schedule of games would be arranged after Christmas. On December 15, 1909, a hockey game was set to be played at the indoor skating rink in the Gordon Theater Building.
Hockey was first played in Anchorage in 1928, and games were staged there annually from 1935-1941, resuming in 1946. Hockey was being played in Skagway by 1922.
Early Hockey Teams and Competitions
In the early days, hockey in Alaska was characterized by local teams and competitions. Here's a glimpse of some of these early teams and their activities:
- Skagway vs. Whitehorse: In February 1924, the Whitehorse, Yukon team defeated Skagway 7-2. On March 31, it was reported a pickup hockey team of Skagway had recently defeated a team from the crew of the Canadian steamship Princess Mary.
- Spalding Cup: Skagway and Whitehorse vied for the Spalding Cup in 1927, the former side winning both games by the identical score of 5-3.
The Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines, later the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, began playing hockey in 1925-26. They faced the Fairbanks town team in a four game series for the Crosby E. Keen Trophy, winning three of them.
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The Nanooks then lay dormant until 1932-33, when they played a seven game series against the Fairbanks Exploration Company. The team played annually until 1941, when they went dormant for 10 years. The Nanooks were active most years from 1951-2020, and had their 2020-21 season cancelled due to COVID-19.
To celebrate the Nanooks hockey program, the Nanooks are proud to announce the 100-year celebration of the Nanooks hockey program, marking a century of tradition, resilience, and unforgettable moments on the ice. As part of the centennial celebration, the Nanooks will unveil the "100 Years of Nanooks Hockey" documentary - a tribute to the players, coaches, fans, and moments that have shaped the program over the past century.
The Rise of Junior and Collegiate Hockey
As hockey grew in popularity, junior and collegiate programs began to emerge, providing opportunities for young players to develop their skills and compete at a higher level.
North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Celebrating its 51st season in 2025-26, the North American Hockey League (NAHL) is the oldest and one of the largest USA Hockey-sanctioned junior circuits with 34 teams representing some of the nation's emerging hockey markets, as well as, traditional hot beds in 19 states. It is one of the only two leagues in the United States that implements the free-to-play model.
The league's long-held reputation as a fertile ground for collegiate prospects was confirmed when league luminaries Kip Miller (Compuware Ambassadors) of Michigan State and Brian Holzinger (Detroit Jr. Wings) of Bowling Green captured the Hobey Baker Memorial Award in 1990 and 1995 respectively. Michigan State's Ryan Miller (Soo Indians) received NCAA Ice Hockey's highest honor in 2001.
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The addition of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs extended the NAHL's reach into the nation's 49th state. The Alaska Avalanche became the state's second team in the league in 2005 when it started out as the Wasilla Spirit.
Players receive further exposure through live Webcasts of NAHL games presented by NAHLTV. Also, through comprehensive statistics and timely game reports, NAHL.com promotes the teams' and players' on-ice achievements. Off the ice, the league's emphasis on scholarship and personal growth is seen through academic support and warm experiences gained by billet programs in which players stay with host families.
University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves
The University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves began play at the Division II level in 1979, and jumped to Division I five years later. They also had their 2020-21 season struck.
The Seawolves were an original member of the now defunct men's division in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). The Seawolves began their ice hockey program in 1979, playing 8 of its 31 games against Division II Alaska-Fairbanks, of which they won all of them, before beginning a full D-II schedule the following season.
The Seawolves rose quickly in the Division II ranks, narrowly missing out on the NCAA tournament in 1984. Anchorage played as an Independent for a year before being a founding member of the first West Coast conference, the Great West Hockey Conference. A year later in 1990, they posted their first 20-win season at the D-I level and were selected to the NCAA Tournament, where they would be swept by Lake Superior State.
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The 1991-92 season provided UAA with its best record in program history, with the team going 27-8-1 and garnering a third consecutive NCAA berth, a 3-7 loss to Lake Superior State. This would mark the Seawolves most recent NCAA playoff berth.
In December 2020, the team began fundraising for the needed money, and on August 31, 2021, the university announced that enough donations had been received to save the program. The team returned to the ice in the 2022-23 season as an Independent program, following the collapse of the men's side of the WCHA after the CCHA's revival in 2021. In 2023-24, the Seawolves posted their best season in a decade, with a 15-17-2 record.
Professional Hockey in Alaska
Professional hockey has had a significant presence in Alaska, with teams like the Alaska Aces making a mark in leagues such as the ECHL. These teams have not only provided entertainment but also contributed to the development of hockey in the state.
Alaska Aces
The Alaska Aces, known as the Anchorage Aces until 2003, were a professional ice hockey team in Anchorage, Alaska. Home games were played at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage. The Aces were formed as a semi-professional team in the Pacific Southwest Hockey League (PSHL) in 1989 and became a charter member of the professional West Coast Hockey League (WCHL) in 1995. The Aces official team mascot was a polar bear named Boomer.
The Aces joined the ECHL for the 2003-04 season following a merger between the WCHL and the East Coast Hockey League. The team gained national prominence in 2004 when it signed New Jersey Devils all-star and Alaska-born Scott Gomez during that season's NHL lockout.
In 2006, the Aces became only the second team in ECHL history (joining the South Carolina Stingrays of Charleston, SC) in winning both the Brabham Cup and Kelly Cup championships in the same season. In 2006, Alaska won the ECHL Kelly Cup title in five games over the Gwinnett Gladiators.
In 2010-11, the Aces dominated the entire season, winning the Brabham Cup by earning the best record in the league, as well as leading the league in points scored. Wes Goldie lead the league in goals scored. In the Kelly Cup Playoffs, they swept the Idaho Steelheads and Victoria Salmon Kings, and then won the Kelly Cup Championship over the Kalamazoo Wings in five games.
In 2017, the ownership group announced that the 2016-17 season would be the team's last, after which the franchise would cease operations. The owners cited the struggling Alaskan economy, and sagging ticket sales among the reasons for the club's financial downfall.
Alaska Gold Kings
The Alaska Gold Kings were founded in 1975 as an amateur senior ice hockey team in Fairbanks as the Alaska Teamsters. The Teamsters hockey team were the brainchild of Gary Atwood, father of hockey playing sons, and then head of the Fairbanks Teamsters Local 959. Wanting a higher level of ice hockey for local youth to aspire to, and to provide Fairbanks with a sports institution that could compete with Anchorage, Atwood helped form the team in 1975.
In 1977, the stockholders met and formed the Fairbanks Gold Kings. While in Fairbanks the Gold Kings once hosted their own international tournament, the Alaska Cup, facing the likes of Team Japan and Team Austria.
In 1995, the Gold Kings along with two other former PHL teams, the Fresno Falcons and Anchorage Aces (now Alaska Aces) became members of the newly formed professional West Coast Hockey League.
Northern Alaska Hockey Association (NAHA) Alaska Grizzlies (AKG)
The Northern Alaska Hockey Association (NAHA) Alaska Grizzlies (AKG) were formed in 1991 and first skated under the name Fairbanks Ice Hawks. The founders believed that there was a need for an organization dedicated entirely to the development of a competition team program for our youth in the Fairbanks North Star Borough and surrounding areas.
In March 1995, with the introduction of a Fairbanks Choice Lions Club petition, the NAHA family looked towards growth by adding an additional organization to better serve the Fairbanks hockey families. The petition was approved, and in April of 1995, NAHA was proud to add the Fairbanks Arctic Lions to our family.
On the organizational side, NAHA's sponsorship came primarily from the Fairbanks Choice Lions Club, and in March of 1995, with the Fairbanks Choice Lions sponsoring the effort, NAHA petitioned Lions Club International for membership as a Lions Club. The petition was approved, and in April of 1995 NAHA was reorganized as a member of Lions Club International. The Hockey Teams adopted new colors and a new name: Arctic Lions.
Major growth for the two organizations again happened in the fall of 2003 with the introduction of the Alaska Grizzlies flagship programs, the Ice Puppies 6U and the Jr Grizzlies 8U Development teams. USA Hockey’s world renowned Long Term Athletic Development Model is baked into each program’s curriculum plus added NAHA enhancements that we feel offer student-athletes the opportunity to thrive both on the ice and off through the game of hockey.
AL/AKG offers Tier I (AAA) (now hosted by the ASHA), Tier II (AA), and Tier III (A) level teams at the 10u, 12u, 14u, 16u, and 18u age groups while participating in the Pacific District for USA Hockey.
Conclusion
From its humble beginnings to the establishment of professional teams and competitive college programs, hockey in Alaska has a storied past. The dedication of players, coaches, and fans has shaped the sport into an integral part of Alaskan culture. As hockey continues to evolve, its legacy in Alaska will undoubtedly endure for generations to come.
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