Michigan Technological University forward Alex Nordstrom skates at the McNaughton Cup after the Huskies defeated Bemidji State University to win the CCHA playoff championship on Friday, March 22, at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota. (Photo provided by Michigan Technological University)
HOUGHTON — In his third year with the Black and Gold, Atlantic Mine native and former Hancock Bulldogs hockey star Alex Nordstrom will be on the regular weekend roster for the Michigan Tech Huskies hockey team. It wasn't easy to get a seat. But as the 2023-24 season progressed, he found a groove playing alongside senior center Brace Richards and freshman winger Henry Bartle as the Huskies clinched their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The trio became an important piece of the puzzle.
Last season, he played in just 16 games, several of them playing defense, a position that is unnatural for him. He played in 28 games this season. He played as a forward in all those contests.
Nordstrom is the first to admit that this season has been much more enjoyable for him from a hockey standpoint.
“I think it’s definitely a much better experience to be able to be in the lineup.” He said. “I think when you’re in the lineup and contributing to the lineup, the biggest thing is obviously contributing to the team winning in some way. Whether it's playing or practicing, (I) have been trying to get better every day.
“Being in the lineup and always being in the lineup has definitely been a really exciting thing for me this year.”
For Nordstrom, who grew up in the Copper Country, getting the chance to earn a regular spot in the Huskies' lineup was a dream come true.
“It sure looks cool.” He said. “I used to go to Tech games as a kid and it was like picking my favorite players. I always had my eye on the local players, Queros and Ray Brice. They I just look at him as a role model of sorts and try to do the same thing for the kids that come to watch (now) Michigan Tech.”
After scoring at least 50 points a season for three years with the Bulldogs, Nordstrom played one year with the Grande Prairie Storm in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, then played two seasons in the United States Hockey League, and one season with the Fargo Storm. He played one more season with the Fargo Force. Green Bay Gamblers. Still, even though he continued playing hockey for three years after high school, he knew he had more to do once he returned to the Copper Country for college.
“College hockey is difficult.” He said. “It's a big jump. I think I was a little bit small my freshman year and even my sophomore year. (I) just worked out in the summer and got my strength up, so that definitely helped. I think so.
“We've had some good teams. We've been to the tournament three years in a row, so we've had some good teams here at Tech. We've had some good teams here at Tech, basically. I’m just trying to find a way to contribute.”
Nordstrom learned some important lessons by playing hockey after high school.
“I think it was probably a little easier in high school, but in college, and even as a junior, you have to work hard to get it done. must be acquired.
“It's definitely more difficult in college and it's never easy, but that's the fun part. You just have to accept the difficulties and keep going.”
It was a no-brainer for Nordstrom to play with Richards this season. The two forwards have spent two seasons earning regular spots in the lineup.
“Both of us have been guys that have been in and out of the lineup the last two years.” said Nordstrom. “So we used that as motivation and I think we came together really well.”
Bartle saw ice time in just six games until a 3-3 tie against Northern Michigan on Feb. 3, when he found a home with Nordstrom and Richards.
“He didn't play much at the beginning of the year, but he seemed to find his groove and all three of us hit it off.” Nordstrom said. “The biggest thing for us was we wanted to keep it simple and contribute as much as possible.”
Nordstrom scored two goals in a 7-0 win against Bowling Green and added three more assists in the final period as the Huskies won seven of their final nine games of the season. The Copper Country native felt his team's success in the last nine games made his trio even stronger.
“I think there was a period in the second half of the year where we felt like as a line we were providing scoring opportunities every game and putting up consistently good numbers.” said Nordstrom. “Thanks to that, I think we were able to have confidence in ourselves and just keep going and do things simply.”
score first career goal
During his first consistent outing in the Huskies' lineup, Nordstrom broke the seal on his college career by scoring his first career goal in a 4-3 loss on the road to St. Thomas on January 11. He followed that up with his second goal. within the same game.
“It would have been great to do it here, but yeah, it was just a relief.” He said. “When you can score your first goal at any level, of course when we had some chances earlier this year, it's like you're always thinking about it in the back of your mind. It was definitely a sigh of relief to see it scored, even if it wasn't the prettiest goal.”
Nordstrom's first career goal wasn't exactly the highlight of the Reel tally, but it still makes for a good story.
“I don't remember much, but I think all I remember was (Tyrone) Bronte, me, Bronte, and Kash (Rasmussen).” said Nordstrom. “It looked like Kash turned the ball over in the corner, so I tried to center it to Bronte. It just hit the goalie and it went in, a lucky bounce for sure.”
Nordstrom didn't expect to score his second goal in the same game.
“I think when you reach a goal, you have more energy.” He said. “(I) was able to get on it and get the puck in the slot, hit it, and the puck went in.”
look at the team again
Despite scoring against the Tommies, after two games, Nordstrom was out of the lineup for five of the next eight games. He used that time to work hard to get back to the diet that had been a factor in his earlier success.
“I think that’s definitely in the works.” He said. “I think I’m just trying to help the team in any way I can, whether it’s in practice or in games, trying to prove to the coaching staff that I can be in the lineup and that I can contribute and help.”The team wins. . I definitely feel like I can help the team and that's what I'm trying to do, just try to keep moving forward. ”
home playoffs
Nordstrom is part of multiple Huskies teams that have hosted playoff series. He said nothing can beat the experience of playing at home.
“You always get to play in front of our crowd, and our band is great. So to get two, two, three more games in front of them is incredible.” He said. “I think it's the norm for Michigan Tech to be on home ice in the first round of the playoffs. So, growing up with the band and the student section and being able to skate out of the tunnel for them now, I think it's the norm for Michigan Tech to be on home ice in the first round of the playoffs.” I think it's obviously pretty surreal. So it's a great experience.”
play for the championship
On March 22, Nordstrom and the Huskies faced the Bemidji State Beavers for the CCHA playoff title at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota. During the game, which the Huskies won, he assisted on the first goal from freshman defenseman Chase Pietila.
“It's always fun to go into another building and rob the building.” Nordstrom said. “It was a great atmosphere. It was loud there. It was a lot of fun. Any time you get to play for a championship it's a great experience.”
It was very memorable to be able to earn points in the match.
“Anytime you can contribute in a game like that, you feel good.” He said. “The most important thing is that the team won. It was unreal for our team and for the university.”
harsh ending
Leading 2-1 in the third period in the NCAA regional opener against No. 1 Boston College, Nordstrom and his teammates struggled to finish the game as they had played the first 45 minutes. . The Huskies conceded four goals in the final stretch, losing to a team they ultimately lost in the Frozen Four title game to.
“I think we felt like we were able to control the play in the first and second periods.” said Nordstrom. “I think we had some scoring chances and we just couldn't take advantage of them, but I felt like they had it for a couple of periods there. Going into the third, we had a 2-0 lead. We were completely confident losing -1. We felt like we could easily come back and win that game because there was nothing new for us.”
Nordstrom feels the Huskies, who haven't won an NCAA Tournament game since 1981, have the ability to break through.
“I think you should approach it with confidence.” He said. “Obviously, I think it's always tough game after game, game after game. But I know, yeah, we can beat any team if we play our game. I think the most important thing is to go forward with confidence and I think I'll be fine.”
