Life on the Move: How Alaska Nanooks Turn Endless Travel Into Team-Building Gold

For most collegiate athletes, road trips are an occasional inconvenience. For the Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks, they’re a way of life—a life lived at 35,000 feet, on buses, and in hotel lobbies that double as study halls. After wrapping up a grueling 12-game road stretch, the Nanooks aren’t just seasoned travelers; they’re practically honorary pilots.

Junior forward Chase Dafoe recalls the moment he realized how different life on the road was with the Nanooks. It wasn’t the endless hours of travel or even the calorie math of surviving on protein bars and airport buffet offerings. It was watching his roommate, a seasoned veteran, meticulously unpack his bag at their hotel in Houghton, Michigan. Shirts were hung, socks were folded, and toiletries were arranged with military precision.

“That’s when I realized,” Dafoe said, “for the Nanooks, the road isn’t just a stop. It’s home.”

The Nanooks’ Marathon of Miles

In a stretch that would test even the hardiest of road warriors, the Nanooks played 12 consecutive away games, racking up 14 flights, six bus rides, and over 22,000 miles of travel. That’s nearly the circumference of the Earth, all in pursuit of a hockey puck. Their schedule reads more like a travel blogger’s itinerary: Seattle to Milwaukee, Green Bay to Houghton, Indiana to New York, and beyond.

“We fly across the country to play the game we love with our best friends,” junior forward Braden Birnie said. “That’s the mindset we try to keep, even when it’s exhausting.”

It’s not just the mileage that tests the team—it’s the preparation. Before every trip, the players adjust their sleep schedules, stock up on hydration aids like Liquid I.V., and brace themselves for flights at ungodly hours. When the team met at 10:55 p.m. on October 7 to begin their journey to Michigan Tech, their odyssey started with a redeye flight and ended nearly 24 hours later with a light skate to shake off the travel.

“We lose four hours going East,” Birnie explained, “but it’s not like you can practice time zones. You just have to roll with it.”

Sleepless Skies and Endless Buffets

Coach Erik Largen, a Fairbanks native and former Nanook himself, knows the challenges well. “Some guys just can’t sleep on planes,” he admitted. “The neck pillow is key, but you always see one guy staring at his phone all night, and you try to tell him, ‘Buddy, you’ll regret this.’”

Of course, not every hardship comes from jet lag. The Nanooks are masters of finding joy in the mundane, like the Alaska Lounge buffet at Seattle-Tacoma Airport. With a membership that allows two free guests, the team has perfected the art of maximizing buffet visits. “We’re undefeated against the buffet,” Birnie joked, with Coach Largen campaigning for the chicken salad to be renamed in his honor.

Team Bonding: The Glue on the Road

Despite the endless travel, the Nanooks wouldn’t have it any other way. Long bus rides become mini-adventures, complete with debates, movie nights, and impromptu games of mini-golf. Senior forward Matt Koethe summed it up: “When you’re stuck in a hotel with 25 of your best buddies, you find ways to entertain yourselves.”

And it’s not just entertainment—the road builds camaraderie. Whether they’re battling it out on the ice or arguing over who gets the window seat, the Nanooks have learned to thrive as one of the closest-knit teams in the country.

“Whether we like it or not, we have to like each other,” Birnie said with a laugh. “It’s different from any other team.”

A Unique Experience for Unique Players

The life of a Nanook isn’t for everyone. The constant travel requires a special kind of player—passionate, adaptable, and just a little bit adventurous. As Largen put it, “We like hockey junkies. You don’t want to spend this much time on the road with people who aren’t great teammates.”

But for those who embrace the journey, the rewards are countless. From walking Notre Dame’s picturesque campus to hiking near Lake Placid, the Nanooks get to see parts of the country many people only dream about.

“You learn about these unique places,” Dafoe said. “Finding local coffee shops, exploring small towns—it’s one of the highlights of being on the road.”

The Road Ahead

After completing their 12-game odyssey, the Nanooks look forward to a slightly lighter schedule. A quick trip to Anchorage for games against their rival feels like a luxury compared to the marathon trips they’ve endured. But even when things don’t go as planned—like the time they were stranded in Anchorage after a flight cancellation—the Nanooks find a way to laugh it off.

“You’re so delirious at that point, everything seems funny,” Dafoe said.

For the Nanooks, the road isn’t just a challenge; it’s a defining part of their identity. It’s where they grow as players, bond as a team, and create memories that will last long after their skates are hung up.

“When I look back,” Birnie said, “I won’t miss the miles or the flights. I’ll miss the people. The debates, the laughs, the stories—that’s what makes this all worth it.”