Jared Linnell was born into a sports-minded family. His Mother Patty played on the UAF volleyball team. His Father Derek played on the Nanook hockey team. In retrospect, it seems almost preordained that Jared follow in their footsteps.
Jared recalls those early years, “I started skating at age four. The first gift I remember was a toy hockey stick. My first memory is playing floor hockey at the arena in Raleigh, NC where my Dad was playing for the Ice Caps in the East Coast Hockey League.”
The Linnell family moved back to Fairbanks and Jared began the journey through the youth hockey ranks. He started off playing for FAHA. Coach Jim Lewandowski remembers Linnell as a stand-out even in those early years, “Jared was the best Mite in Fairbanks. He skated very well, could already stick handle and shoot the puck, had good hands and was a nice kid, too. You knew he could play at any level he wanted.”
Jared shifted to the Arctic Lions program and a slew of coaches had the opportunity to help the young Linnell develop: Jayson Kowalchuk, Kevin Ginley, Jordy Wolter, Jeff McLean and Roger McKinnon. Derek was an assistant coach almost every year. Jared remembers teammates such as Tayler Munson, Justin Woods and Dayna Colang. They won the State Squirt B title in 2003, and the Bantam A championship in 2007.
Jared has other memories of 2007, “I played for North Pole High School as a freshman under Coach Mike Van Sickle. I was impressed by the big crowds at the Polar Ice Arena. I was also drafted by the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League. That was a nice honor, but it would have meant giving up eligibility for college hockey, so I never seriously considered playing there.”
“In 2009, I was drafted by the Ice Dogs and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL. I was only 16 years old, so me and my parents decided it would be best to play U-16 Midgets with the Arctic Lions under Rob Proffitt. I practiced with the Ice Dogs every day. With all that ice time, I stepped away from regular school and enrolled in the BEST (Building Educational Success Together) program through the Fairbanks school district. That was also the year that I committed to playing at UAF.”
“I played for the Ice Dogs in 2010-11. We had a great season under Coach Josh Hauge. We had to beat Wenatchee to make it to the finals. The final game of the Wenatchee series was tied at the end of regulation. I was sitting on a table in the locker room, just exhausted. Prof came through the locker room and said, ‘Isn’t this FUN??’ That comment inspired us. I scored the goal in overtime to beat them. I threw off my gloves and helmet in celebration. It was the best moment in my hockey career.”
“The following year, I played for Cedar Rapids. It was interesting to be away from home and on my own. Unfortunately, the hockey didn’t go so well. I tore the labrum in my hip, which caused lots of pain. Half-way through the season, I was traded to the Tri-City Storm. They were coached by Josh Hauge, so it was great to get back together with him. I had surgery on my hip after the season. I spent the first part of the next season re-habbing the hip. When I came back, I scored two goals in the first game. That made me feel like the hard work was worthwhile. I also thanked my therapist.”
“I spent the next summer working with Mike Curtin at UAF and scrimmaging with the guys who stayed in town. Once classes started, it was a definite adjustment, trying to balance school and hockey. I got an assist on my first shift. I was really impressed by the depth of talent on all the opposing teams. It was an amazing time.”
“I didn’t play a lot either of my two years at UAF. That was a disappointment, but overall I have good memories of my time at the University … friends from the dorm, hockey practice, teammates in the locker room. It was all good.”
“I decided to leave the team at the end of my sophomore year. It was a very difficult decision and it’s been hard to adjust to not playing hockey. I’m now working at ABC Contractors and I’m still taking classes at UAF. I’m determined to finish my degree. Jeff McLean recently asked if I was interested in coaching with the Ice Puppies program. I’m going to give that a try.”
“I want to thank all my coaches and teammates over the years. The level of coaching I received here was comparable to anywhere in the world. My Dad was always there for me. I turned to him for advice on every aspect of the game.”