newsminer.com

The Fairbanks Hockey Hall of Fame will add two more inductees this afternoon at the Big Dipper Ice Arena for their unparalleled contributions to the sport in the Fairbanks community.

Ever since they arrived in Fairbanks in 1983, Darlene and Jack Tragis have been deeply involved in the Fairbanks hockey community. The tireless couple has dedicated their lives to promote hockey in our town and the results are numerous and widespread.

They range from the formation of the Arctic Lions hockey organization to the formation of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs to the Arctic Lions hosting the USA Hockey PeeWee National Championships in April of 2005.

When asked to sum up his many years of involvement in Fairbanks hockey, Jack keeps it short and sweet, “It’s been a good run.”

Darlene considers her biggest contribution to be, “ … selection of the best coaches and managers in the community. I am also proud of the group of volunteers that we can call on at almost any time.”  Darlene and Jack both grew up in Michigan and were involved in sports, but not necessarily hockey. That all changed when they family moved to Fairbanks in 1983.

“That year, our son John came home from school and announced that he wanted to play hockey,” Darlene said.

Jack served as a coach on John’s “house” team that year and Darlene was “just a fan.”

Eventually they both became heavily involved in the Fairbanks Amateur Hockey Association as Jack became president and Darlene was vice president for the competitive teams. Jack also was elected to the Alaska State Hockey Association board of directors.

“Some folks in FAHA suggested that we should form our own organziation and we decided to follow their advice,” Darlene said.

As a result, the Northern Alaska Hockey Association was formed in 1991. NAHA received financial support from one of the Lions clubs in town, but felt that they needed additional funds, so Darlene and Jack formed their own Lions Club — the Arctic Lions.

The organization now has 11 competitive teams and four teams of 5- and 6-year-olds known as Ice Puppies.

“Our philosophy has always been that the coach RUNS the team,” Darlene said. “We try to hire the best coaches and then refrain from interfering with them.”

Dorothy Laiti has worked with Darlene on a variety of hockey-related endeavors.

“Darlene has been the backbone of the Arctic Lions program since its inception,” Laiti said. “The growth of the program is a testament to her success in bringing the best people together, keeping us organized and working together in a positive manner.”

Jack recalled the formation of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, shortly after the Alaska Gold Kings had moved to Colorado Springs.

“The Arctic Lions were already thinking that we might want to go in the direction of creating a Junior team at some point in the future,” he said. “An opportunity came along in early summer of 1996 and we couldn’t turn it down.”

Jack is now the Ice Dogs president and Darlene serves as the treasurer.

“It isn’t easy keeping a hockey program up and running in Fairbanks, but it’s been worth it,” Jack said.

“They have both dedicated limitless time and energy to the success of the Ice Dogs,” Ice Dogs coach and general manager Rob Proffitt said.

In April 2005, Fairbanks hosted the National Tournament for the Pee Wee age bracket.  Jack recalls, “It was a hard sell, for all the usual reasons (money, distance, etc),” Jack said. “When USA Hockey announced our selection, it was a boost for those of us on the committee. Best of all, the tourney was a huge success.”

Darlene served as Co-Director of that tournament.

“We showed the country that we can do things the right way here in little ol’ Fairbanks,” she said.

Fairbanks is blessed with a multitude of dedicated individuals who are willing to work tirelessly for the benefits of kids. However, it is difficult to envision greater contributions than those of Darlene and Jack Tragis. The Fairbanks Hockey Hall of Fame salutes their continuing efforts with their formal induction.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will take place at 5 p.m. today on the upper level of the Big Dipper. In addition to the enshrinement of Darlene and Jack Tragis, Dave Teets will be honored as Coach of the Year, Rick Redick will be added to the Referees Honor Roll and Brent Cole, Andy Mumford and Ashly Waggoner will be added to the College Hockey Honor Roll.

The public is invited to attend.

Randy Zarnke is the author of the book “Fairbanks Hockey Pioneers” and president of the Fairbanks Hockey Hall of Fame.