newsminer.com

A barbecue led to a title sponsor for the Alaska Nanooks’ upcoming NCAA Division I hockey tournament.

Brice, Inc., a locally-owned company whose management includes three former Nanooks goaltenders, was announced Tuesday as the title sponsor the Alaska Goal Rush, scheduled for Oct. 17-18 at the Carlson Center.

The inaugural field consists of the host Nanooks of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association; Alaska Anchorage Seawolves of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association; Maine Black Bears of Hockey East and the Mercyhurst Lakers of Erie, Pa., and the Atlantic Hockey Association.

Todd Henderson, Brice vice president for corporate controls and a Nanooks goaltender from 1989-93, said that Forrest Karr, University of Alaska Fairbanks athletic director, and he were at a barbecue last year when they first discussed Brice, Inc., sponsoring the tournament.

“That started the ball rolling,’’ Henderson said. “Some of the folks at Brice put the word out that we had some interest and we had talked about sponsoring it.’’

The interest eventually became a two-year sponsorship agreement by the company, which is involved in construction, environmental cleanup, marine services and quarry production.

“To really step up and support an event like this is really special and appreciated,” Karr said.

Brice’s involvement in the Alaska Goal Rush doesn’t seem surprising because Henderson and fellow former Nanooks goalies Alba Brice (1985-89) and Preston McKay (2000-04) are part of its management and the Brice family has been involved in hockey in Fairbanks for more than three decades.

Andy Brice is a former member of the Alaska State Hockey Board. He and current company president Sam Brice helped the Big Dipper Ice Arena get moved into its current location. The building was originally an old state-owned aircraft hangar in Tanacross that Hez Ray purchased for $1 and moved here, helped by community support.

“We’re a big hockey family in Fairbanks,” Henderson said. “It’s (tournament) a great opportunity for Brice to be a part of something good for the community, and it’s good for Brice.”

Henderson didn’t disclose Brice’s financial involvement in the tournament, but said it didn’t affect any decisions to sponsor it.

“It’s why we give back to the community, and we’re fortunate enough to be able to,” Henderson said. “Obviously, at this time, every dollar it receives is considered significant and any dollar we’re able to contribute is significant on our part ... regardless of the amount, they are significant.”