The UAF Nanooks hockey team announced two additional signings this week. Tommy Cronin and Alexander Malinowski are headed to Fairbanks this fall.
Cronin comes from Edina, Minnesota, spent the past two seasons with the Bismarck Bobcats in the North American Hockey League and stops in the USHL and BCHL.
Cronin spent the past year with both the Green Bay Gamblers and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL in addition to playing with the Bobcats. Cronin scored 10 points on five goals and five assists in 15 games with the Silverbacks. For the Bobcats, Cronin skated in 31 games, 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points during the 2024-2025 season. Cronin shined in the postseason scoring a point in all 13 games.
According to the press release, UAF head coach Erik Largen said Cronin plays with a lot of energy.
“Tommy has a great motor and plays with a lot of creativity on the ice,” Largen said. “He’s a high-character individual who brings positivity and a strong work ethic to our culture.”
Malinowski comes via transfer from American International College (AIC). Malinowski who is from Linköping Sweden, played one season with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs before initially playing for AIC. In his lone season in Fairbanks, Malinowski played in 58 games, scoring 75 points on 33 goals and 42 assists. Malinowski also earned a NAHL (Midwest) All-Star Team selection for his production with the Ice Dogs.
In another press release, Largen said Nanook Nation is well aware of Malinowski’s tenure.
“Fairbanks fans will be familiar with Alexander from his time with the Ice Dogs,” said Largen. “He is a talented player who plays extremely hard. He brings maturity and professionalism to the rink every day and is a tremendous teammate.”
Malinowski finished his final season with AIC by posting eight points on eight assists in 25 games. He finished his NCAA career skating in 86 games, scoring 16 goals and 33 assists for 49 career points. Including an NCAA AHA All-Academic Team selection back in the 2023-2024 season.