Fairbanks defenseman Stridsberg makes NCAA DI commitment

February 25, 2016

The Fairbanks Ice Dogs, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), are pleased to announce that defenseman Jakob Stridsberg has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Arizona State University. Arizona State is an Independent Division I program and the most University to have an NCAA Division I team.

 

Stridsberg, 21, is in his second and final season playing in the NAHL for the Ice Dogs.  The native of Jonkoping, Sweden, leads all Ice Dogs defenseman in scoring this season with 35 points in 44 games played. His 35 points also ranks 3rd among all defensemen in the NAHL.

 

He was selected to and recently played in the 2016 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament for the Midwest Division team. Stridsberg (6’1/185) was the runner-up for the NAHL Defenseman of the Month in December.

 

“Arizona State is a new program and I’m really excited to get down there and start working toward a new tradition,” Stridsberg said.

 

Stridsberg admits that the southern Arizona weather was a factor in his decision. “Well, of course,” he joked. “They have nice weather year around. It’s very different from Fairbanks (in the winter), but I like it here, though. 

 

“It’s pretty unique and I’ve really enjoyed playing hockey here,’’ he added.

 

He hasn’t decided yet on a major at Arizona State but he said he’s leaning toward something aviation related.

 

Hockey wise, he’s hoping his experience helps a Sun Devils program that’s 5-22-2 this season amid a schedule that’s mixed with D-I varsity opponents and club teams.

 

“I want to try to play the best game I can for them,” Stridsberg said. “I can bring some experience from Eurorpe and junior hockey experience.”

 

Stridsberg, who played youth club hockey in Sweden, has developed into a two-way defenseman who is the Ice Dogs’ sixth-leading scorer and leads the team’s blueliners with 10-25-35 totals in 44 games.

 

“He goes about his business in a professional manner and he’s quite a humble kid,” head coach Trevor Stewart said. “Arizona State is going to get a player who’s going to be good right away and has the potential to develop.”

 

Said Stridsberg, “We practice very hard, and the coaches always push us to get better every day. Hopefully, it will make us better and prepares us for next year (in college).” (story contributions by Danny Martin, News-Miner).