The "Alaskan Pipeline"

December 5, 2013

When it comes to friendships on the ice, some people would think it is only as teammates. When it comes to three guys who lived over 3,000 miles away from Flagstaff, their friendship is more than just being teammates.

The Division II hockey team here at NAU has a variety of players, coming from all across the United States. Once tryouts began many months ago, three guys would step on the same line together, to become one name.

The "Alaskan Pipeline". Who would have thought of a name like this, and why would three guys on a hockey team be called that? Well for Ben Russell, Connor Sperry, and Dylan Blankenship, this name was given to them early on in their relationship.

"The 'Alaskan Pipeline' got started back in tryouts" Ben Russell says. "All the guys knew that we were from Alaska, and we had great chemistry together. A couple of the buddies just started to refer us as the 'Alaskan Pipeline' and it took off from there."

Russell,  Forward for the DII Ice Jacks is one of the three men part of this group, coming all the way from Chugiak, Alaska with Connor Sperry.

"Russell is a talented and hard working player, and from playing together for the past eight or nine years, we know where each other are on the ice at all times." Sperry says.

As most people would think that the chemistry between these three men took off from tryouts, they better be wrong. Russell and Blankenship played each other back in high school, and there was no friendship between them at the time. Rivals.

Blankenship, a Fairbanks kid, stepped on the ice at Jay Lively with a dislike for Russell, but it didn't take long before their friendship started to grow.

Before tryouts even began, Russell and Sperry were already close, so it was all new to Blankenship.

"I played against Russell, actually didn't really like him that much before I got to know him, to tell you the truth," Blankenship states, laughing, grinning from ear to ear. "I was a little nervous at first because like I said, I didn't really like Russell...but they kind of welcomed me with open arms."

"I had only played against Blankenship in Alaska, prior to NAU, but there was instant chemistry when we stepped on the ice together," Sperry stated.

But being a part of the "Alaskan Pipeline" has become more of a name. It has become a strong friendship. Before every game, these three men have their pre-game ritual, watching a movie, and talking about hockey.

When it comes time for these men to step on the ice, Blankenship says, "we try to skate together as much as possible." And their teamwork has been paying off as it shows in all of their stats. "It's been pretty fun so far, we just kind of clicked. We've been in a little slump, but we're going to turn it around this weekend, hopefully."

The "Alaskan Pipeline" is the only "group" so to speak with the Ice Jacks. And it really is not just a name, it has become a way of playing for them. Since they have all been on the same line together, they have gotten to know where each guy will be, at what exact time.

The fact that their friendship has shown with their great performance on the ice has improved the team as a whole.

The DII Ice Jacks have a 11-12 record this season so far, which is not their best, but as Blankenship says these game losses are due to this "slump" that they are in, Russell has faith in picking the pace back up to "get those W's."

Despite these losses, these men will hit the line again every time they face another team, ready to attack, and play their best.  Their friendship continues to grow, and there is no more bad blood between Blankenship  and Russell, as they have become the best of friends.