Former PHS standout returns as a member of Division I Colorado College

PALMER — It’s been nearly four years since former Palmer High School hockey standout Jared Hanson skated in an official hockey game in his home state of Alaska.

But that streak will end Friday night when Hanson hits the Sullivan Arena ice as a member of the Colorado College Tigers.

“I’m ecstatic to come back. It’s been on my calendar all year,” Hanson said by cellphone from the Colorado College campus last week.

Hanson, a freshman for the Division I Tigers, will be on the ice Friday night when Colorado College meets Western Collegiate Hockey Association rival Alaska-Anchorage in Anchorage.

“I can’t wait to come back and play my first game in Alaska in three, four years,” Hanson said. “It’s going to be a big game for me. I can’t wait to have all my family, friends who aren’t away at school come and watch me play. It’s going to be special.”

The puck is slated to drop at 7:07 p.m. both Friday and Saturday night at the Sullivan.

Friday’s game will also mark the first time Hanson has played in an official hockey game at the Sullivan Arena, Alaska’s most recognized hockey rink.

“I’m excited about playing on the big sheet, especially after going there and watching all those games growing up,” he said.

Hanson’s last hockey game in Alaska came at the end of his sophomore year in high school when the Moose met Chugiak during the third-place game of the ASAA/First National Bank 4A State Championships at the Menard Arena in Wasilla. Hanson made the decision with his family to skip his final two years of high school hockey to pursue an opportunity at an elite level of junior hockey, the Tier I United States Hockey League. Hanson said as he skated with his Palmer teammates as a sophomore during that three-day tourney, he had no idea it might be another four years before he skated again in his home state.

“That didn’t cross my mind. I just thought I’d be back for my junior year,” Hanson said. “I thought that’s the way it was going to be.”

But as a high school-aged player, Hanson landed with the USHL’s Lincoln Stars and skated for two seasons for the Nebraska program. In his first full year with the Stars, the 2010-11 season, Hanson netted nine goals and 15 assists in 53 games. The following year, Hanson finished second on the team in scoring with 55 points. He was also among team leaders in goals (27), assists (28) and plus-minus rating (+32).

The Palmer native was heavily recruited by Division I programs, and chose Colorado College, a traditional hockey power that has made seven NCAA tournament appearances and captured three conference regular season titles since 2001.

Hanson has skated in 19 games as a freshman for the Tigers, recording two goals and two assists.

“Things have been going well,” Hanson said. “I’ve been playing a lot, getting a lot of opportunity.

Hanson has been skating as part of CC’s second line and has started a handful of games in recent weeks.

“The coaches are giving me a lot of opportunity,” Hanson said.

Hanson is also fortunate to have the opportunity to play with the Tigers in his home state as a freshman. After this season, CC will leave the WCHA to become a part of the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference, which will include top college hockey powers such as Denver University and North Dakota.

With CC and UAA in different conferences starting next year, it may be a while before the Tigers return to Anchorage.

“These will be pretty special games, games I’ll remember forever,” Hanson said.