Tyler Shea, a veteran net‑minder with a proven track record in both the NCAA and junior leagues, is set to wear the Alaska Nanooks jersey for the 2026‑27 campaign.
The 6‑foot‑0, 179‑pound goaltender arrives after four seasons of college hockey that included stints at Brown University and the University of Michigan, where he logged 42 appearances and posted a 3.09 goals‑against average and a .912 save percentage.
Prior to his collegiate years, Shea honed his craft in the NAHL with the Austin Bruins, compiling a 6‑7‑1 record in his first full season and posting a 2.92 GAA and .922 save percentage across 20 games in 2019‑20, before improving to a 3.23 GAA and .914 save percentage over 35 games the following year.
His junior‑level résumé also features a single game in the USHL with the Madison Capitals, a 40‑game stretch in the BCHL with the Wenatchee Wild that yielded a .904 save percentage and a 2.98 GAA, and a brief but productive spell in the NAHL where he appeared in 56 contests.
Head coach Erik Largen praised the newcomer, highlighting Shea’s experience, composure and ability to thrive under pressure. He said the player brings a steady presence and a competitive fire that will elevate the goaltending group, according to a statement.
The Nanooks, who finished the previous season with a modest record but showed flashes of offensive firepower, hope the addition of Shea will tighten a defense that has been a focal point of the coaching staff’s rebuild.
The team’s roster will continue to take shape, with officials promising further signings to be announced the day after Shea’s transfer, underscoring the program’s aggressive approach to strengthening the lineup.
Shea, a native of Stevenson Ranch, California, will relocate to Fairbanks, joining a storied program that has cultivated talent in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. His left‑handed catching style and leadership on the ice are expected to blend quickly with the existing culture.
Fans can look forward to seeing how his .911 save percentage from the most recent season, paired with a 3.26 GAA in 25 of 26 starts, translates to the faster, more physical style of play in the NAHL and the broader collegiate hockey landscape.
A New Chapter for the Nanooks
The upcoming season will mark Shea’s first full campaign with the Nanooks, and his integration will be closely monitored by both the coaching staff and the fan base eager for a resurgence.
With the team’s home games scheduled to begin in October, the arrival of a seasoned net‑minder adds a layer of stability that could prove decisive in tightly contested matchups against rivals such as the University of Alaska Anchorage and other conference opponents.
As the roster solidifies, the Nanooks aim to climb the standings and contend for a playoff berth, leveraging a blend of veteran presence and youthful energy that could define their trajectory.