Ice Dogs Unveil 2026-27 Captains

 

https://www.newsminer.com/sports/ice-dogs-unveil-2026-27-captains/article_06c89412-6d46-4f3a-ac63-ab38474229aa.html

Drew Blouin Sep 4, 2026

Alaskan roots kindled a youthful adoration of the Ice Dogs for Gage Leonard and Dub Eunice III.

Loyalty to Fairbanks’ junior hockey club flourished as each signed with the squad, Leonard prior to the 2023-24 campaign, and Eunice in advance of last season.

Propelled by qualities exhibited on and off the ice, Leonard and Eunice earned the distinguished honors of captain and assistant captain of the 2026-27 Ice Dogs.

Leonard will don the acclaimed ‘C’, a decision announced Monday. The following day, head coach Dakota Bell and his staff rewarded Eunice, who will sport the illustrious ‘A.’

“I think both of them embody what being an Ice Dog is all about and that’s what you want from your leaders,” Bell said. “It is pretty early in the season, but even from the time our season ended last year, it’s been abundantly clear that Gage and Dub were leaders in the locker room, leaders on the ice.

“They’re really good guys out in public, and in media and with the fans.

They just do things the right way.”

Committed to follow his final season as an Ice Dog at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Leonard showcased immense improvement throughout his initial three seasons with the team.

On top of an elevated point total in each year of his Ice Dogs career, which encompasses more than 170 games skated, the left-handed forward displays an eagerness to service his team in any capacity, by means of a critical blocked shot, or even an energy-supplying drop of the gloves.

“It was easy, to be honest,” Bell said of the decision to designate Leonard his group’s captain. “Gage was a great assistant captain for us last year and he took the lead this summer. He made it easy for us to put the ‘C’ on him because he deserved it.

“Again, he encapsulates what being an Ice Dog is all about. He shows up to work every day, works hard. He doesn’t complain. He loves Fairbanks. He’s done stuff in the community. He’s always wanted to be an Ice Dog. He’s just an Ice Dog through and through. The fans love him for that too.”

Described as a “third coach when he’s out on the ice,” Eunice first graced the sheet of the Big Dipper Ice Arena at the age of 5. A University of Alaska Anchorage pledge, the forward complements his leadership ability with an unrelenting pursuit of growth, depicted by his “first guy in, last guy out” mentality.

“It’s rare that a 2008 in our league would be wearing a letter, but Dub’s a kid that’s been a captain on just about every single team that he’s ever played on, and that’s for a reason,” Bell said. “It’s the kind of human being, and kind of character and leader that he is.

“You combine those traits with him and his loyalty to the organization, and the Ice Dogs as a whole, and I just think that it makes perfect sense. The nicest part with Dub is everyone would probably tell you that they’re buddies with Dub on the team. Dub is the kid that makes sure everyone feels involved.”

Following a Robertson Cup playoffs appearance in 2025-26, the Ice Dogs prepare for the rapidly approaching 2026-27 slate, on the hunt for more.

“I think that the way that they compete every day, and how hard they play, the kind of in-your-face style that they play; that’s kind of what we want to be about,” Bell said.

“I think that it really just comes down to that they’re good people. If we fill our locker room with good people, and we coach them up along the way, I think the fans are going to have a ton of fun watching us this year, and we should have a ton of success to go along with that.”