Fairbanks Ice Dogs fans are the most passionate fans in junior hockey. I learned that quickly while standing behind the bench at the Big Dipper. No matter where you look in the bleachers, you see the heartbeat of Ice Dogs hockey — loyal supporters who have been coming since the Gold Kings days, billet families who have opened their homes for more than a decade, sponsors perched along the top rail with their logos hanging from the mirrored ceiling, and regular working-class Fairbanks folk with their kids singing along at their very first Ice Dogs game. The sights and sounds on a weekend at the Dip are something to behold.
To some, hockey might seem like just a game. But to true Ice Dogs — and if you’re reading this, that definitely includes you — it is a way of life. It’s working all week so you can support the team when weekends roll around. It’s grinding through the winter weather to watch a group of young men compete toward a common goal. It’s juggling family schedules, everyday responsibilities, and the ups and downs of life to find an outlet that brings entertainment and excitement. That commitment is what being a Fairbanks Ice Dog is all about. We embrace the difficulty in things and find joy in overcoming adversity. We do this together, as one giant family.
With a 6‑0‑1 start, things have gone smoothly for us so far, but we know our job is far from finished. In fact, it is just beginning. Our home slate kicks off this weekend against in‑state rival Kenai River. This marks not only the start of our time in this incredible city, but also the first test in the battle for the Alaska Airlines Club 49 Cup. Lifting that trophy two years in a row in front of you has been one of my favorite memories as a coach. While our ambitions include bringing the Robertson Cup back to Fairbanks, our first task is to be the best team in Alaska. From there, conquering the Midwest Division and earning a trip to Blaine, MN becomes the next step in our journey as a group.
Right now, our focus is simple: get the Big Dipper rocking again. If we give everything we have for every shift, we know you’ll return the favor and make the Dip the toughest environment for opponents in all of junior hockey. We cannot wait to experience that alongside you.
Since day one of training camp, we’ve talked about being comfortable in something bigger than ourselves. That will be tested in the coming weeks as we work to give back to you with performances full of pride and passion. While we learn to harness the energy you give to us, we have already made our way to North Pole to play volleyball against the Patriots. We’ll soon try again against Monroe Catholic before deciding to stick to hockey for a while. We have visits lined up with the Alaska Club for Family Fun Night, a stop at Fairbanks North Star Borough Animal Control and plenty more. Showing up for the community that shows up for us is something we value deeply and something we will continue to do no matter what.
Standing behind the bench and watching our team play in front of you is something I will never take for granted. The Fairbanks hockey community is what makes the Big Dipper such a special place — and for us, it’s what makes Fairbanks home. As we kick off the 30th year of Ice Dogs hockey, we’re excited to see what memories we can make together. If we stay resilient, embrace the moments, and always stick together, I have a feeling we’re all going to have a lot of fun this season.
Let’s Go Ice Dogs! — Coach Dak
