Fairbanks – Head Coach Eric Largen The Alaska Nanooks hockey program has announced its next batch of 2024-25 hockey rookies. The list includes five defensemen, one forward and one goalkeeper.
First up on our introduction list are our five defensemen.
Calam Dick | D | 5-10 | 183 lbs | Sherwood Park, Alberta | Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
Dick, a 5'10″ defenseman, will join the Nanooks after playing two years with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL. In 116 regular season games with the Fighting Saints, Dick recorded six goals and 21 assists for a total of 27 points, including a playoff goal in 2022-23. Prior to Dubuque, Dick played two years with the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the AJHA, recording a career-high 32 points with 10 goals and 22 assists in 58 games in 2021-22. He also recorded three assists in five playoff games that season. Dick is a right-handed shooter.
Largen's thoughts
“Kalam is an experienced defenseman in the USHL and we expect him to play a big role on the blue line. His transition game and puck-carrying ability will be exciting to watch. His work ethic and grit will serve him well as a Nanook.”
Carson Reed | D | 6-0 | 194 lbs | Warroad, Minnesota | Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)
Reed, a 6'0″ defenseman, joins the Nanooks after one season with the Waterloo Blackhawks of the USHL. In 56 games with the Blackhawks, Reed recorded three goals, nine assists and 12 points. Prior to Waterloo, Reed will play for the Niborville Knighthawks of the MJHL in the 2022-23 season. The blue lineman appeared in 50 games with Niborville, recording five goals, 21 assists and 26 points. In five playoff games with the Knighthawks, Reed recorded one assist. He shoots right-handed.
Largen's thoughts
“Carson will inject some energy into our lineup. Carson has a great stick defensively and isn't afraid to join the rush offensively. He will fit in well with Fairbanks and our locker room.”
Chris Kobelka | D | 5-11 | 170 lbs | Calgary, Alberta | Calgary Canucks (AJHL)
Kobelka, a 5-foot-11 defenceman, joins the Nanooks after splitting last season between the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL and the Calgary Canucks of the AJHL. After appearing in two games and recording an assist with the Silverbacks, Kobelka joined the Canucks and recorded eight goals and 15 assists for a total of 23 points. During the 2022-23 season, he appeared in 57 games with another AJHL team, the Fort McMurray Oil Barons, setting career highs of 10 points and 32 assists for a total of 42 points. He also made a stop with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL, recording one goal and three assists. He is a left-handed shooter.
Largen's thoughts
“Chris will bring a lot of determination to the locker room. He's also an older guy who knows what it takes to get better. He's a 200-foot guy, with a lot of grit and perseverance.”
Nathan Rickey | D | 6-4 | 170 lbs | New Lenox, Illinois | Oklahoma Warriors (NAHL)
Rickey, a 6-foot-4 defenseman, will arrive in Fairbanks after playing one year with the Oklahoma Warriors of the NAHL in the 2023-24 season. Rickey appeared in 60 games with Oklahoma and finished the season with a career-high 35 points with eight goals and 27 assists. Prior to joining the Warriors, he will skate with the Grande Prairie Storm of the AJHL in the 2022-23 season, appearing in 59 games with the Storm. Rickey recorded four goals and 20 assists for 24 points with Grande Prairie. He also appeared in seven playoff games with both the Warriors and Storm, recording an assist. He is a right-handed shotgun.
Largen's thoughts
“Nathan has a lot of qualities. He's a big right-handed defenseman who is a tough player to play against, and he's also got good offensive ability. Once he develops, the possibilities are endless.”
Tyler Wallum | D | 6-1 | 192 lbs | Edmonds, WA | Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)
Whalum, a 6-foot-1 defenceman, will join the Nanooks hockey program after spending four seasons with the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL. During his four years with Victoria, he played in 171 games and recorded 40 points with six goals and 34 assists. His best season came in 2023-24 after he was named captain of the Grizzlies, playing in 53 games and recording one goal and 18 assists. He recorded another five assists in 11 playoff games that season. Whalum recorded his second-highest point total in 2021-22, recording two goals and seven assists for a total of nine points. In postseason play, Whalum recorded 10 assists in 20 playoff games for the Grizzlies. He is a right-handed shooter.
Largen's thoughts
“Tyler is a Washington product and a big favorite of our staff. He's a junior with a lot of experience and we expect him to make a smooth transition to college hockey. He's a true leader and will only get better from here.”
Up next, we'll look at one forward rookie for the 2024-25 season.
Trent Penner | F | 6-2 | 190 lbs | Winkler, Manitoba | Winkler Flyers (MJHL)
Penner, a 6-foot-2-inch forward, has spent the past four seasons with the Winkler Flyers of the MHHL. After appearing in one game with the Flyers in the 2019-20 season, Penner recorded his first points with Winkler the following season, recording two assists and two points in five games. He became a mainstay on the team the following season, appearing in 46 games and scoring 12 points with six goals and six assists. In 10 playoff games that year, he scored four points with three goals and one assist. In the 2022-23 season, Penner had a breakout season with the Flyers, appearing in 54 games and scoring 48 points with 28 goals and 20 assists. After earning the captain's role in the 2023-24 season, he recorded his best season, scoring 29 goals, 49 assists and 78 points in 56 games. Penner appeared in 15 postseason games and recorded six goals, eight assists and a total of 14 points. He is a left-handed shooter.
Largen's thoughts
“Trent is a freshman with a strong determination and positive attitude. He's a tenacious, 200-foot player and the crowd is going to love watching him play. He can play both on the wing and at center and will continue to get better and better.”
Finally, we have the only goalkeeper rookie this season.
Cole Plowman | G | 6-0 | 179 lbs | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Steinbach Pistons (MJHL)
Plowman, a 6-0 goaltender, joins the Nanooks after two seasons with the Steinbach Pistons of the MJHL. In 2022-23, his first season with the Pistons, Plowman posted a 17-6-0 record as a goaltender, finishing the year with a 2.33 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage and three shutouts. The following season, Plowman established career bests in many statistical categories. The goaltender finished the year with a 30-6-0 record in goals against, a 1.81 goals-against average, a .934 save percentage and four shutouts. In the 2023-24 playoffs, Plowman posted a 2.28 goals-against average, a .915 save percentage, one shutout and 8-5-2 records. Prior to joining Steinbach, he spent two seasons with fellow MJHL team, the Selkirk Steelers, compiling a record of 13 wins, 14 losses and three ties in 2020-21 and 2021-22. He is a left-handed catcher.
Largen's thoughts
“Cole's dedication embodies the spirit of our team, and I can't wait to watch him compete and raise the level of tenacity for the entire team. I'm sure he will be a great addition to our goalkeeping corps.”
Additional recruits will be announced at a later date.
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