Independent file photo: Fairbanks Ice Dogs forward Cole Burke (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Chippewa Steel at the Red Baron Arena on Dec. 3, 2022.

MARSHALL — The Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the North American Hockey League are making their return to Marshall for the sixth consecutive season on Dec. 5 and 6, hosting the Minnesota Wilderness for a pair of games at the Ice Dogs’ home away from home.

The Ice Dogs first came to Marshall in 2020, playing their home games at Red Baron Arena due to restrictions impacting travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, it has become an annual tradition for them to return once each season.

“It’s like having a second fanbase, a second home, a second community,” Ice Dogs general manager Rob Proffitt said, crediting Visit Marshall director Cassie Weiss, the Marshall community, and the fans, sponsors and volunteers for making the 2020 season and subsequent returns possible. “We want to try to get back every year and extend our appreciation, and hopefully put on a great event on December 5 and 6 for them to enjoy high-level hockey in their wonderful facility, and show off their facility to our league and the hockey world in general.”

Heading into the pair of matchups, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs occupy second place in the NAHL’s Midwest Division, sitting at a 13-7-2 record with 28 points in the standings. They trail the Cloquet-based Minnesota Wilderness by 2 points, equivalent to one win in the standings. As such, the games could potentially shift the race for the division title.

The talent level of the NAHL has continued to grow year over year as the game gets faster, Proffitt said, adding that the Ice Dogs are the youngest team in the league and are looking to continue to match that growth.

“We’re going to play a fast-paced, really aggressive north style of hockey that’s going to have a lot of skill, a lot of pace with a little bit of physicality and some wonderful skills and craftsmanship,” Proffitt said.

The NAHL is the only Tier II junior league in the United States, giving an opportunity for amateur players between the ages of 16 and 21 to show off their talents in high-level competition. The NAHL has produced 37 NHL players, including Connor Hellebuyck, who won the 2025 Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player.

In addition to the on-ice action, the Ice Dogs are aiming to make the pair of games an event worth attending even for those who aren’t hockey fans, Proffitt said. In order to curate that positive energy in the building, the Ice Dogs will be providing giveaways, music, action on the video board, and concessions, including alcoholic beverages.

“One of my favorite parts [of the trip] is rolling out on the ice on the four-wheeler in the first intermission on Friday night and seeing that band of kids that are down at the bottom bleachers, following me all the way down… trying to get a little swag, a t-shirt or whatever it is, and seeing their excitement,” Proffitt said. “Then the next level is seeing all those young kids wanting an autograph from the players after the game. We use the game of hockey as a vehicle for life, so that some young kid can be impacted by one of our players to make good decisions in life. To be a good student and a good person, because we told them that’s what you’ve got to do to keep your dream alive of playing the game, and we did our job right, impacting the youth of the wonderful Marshall community.”

Games are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 6 with a 7:30 p.m. puck drop both days. Doors will open an hour before the game starts.

Tickets start at $25 for general admission, with reserved seating and standing bar tickets going for $35. Tickets can be purchased online at visitmarshallmn.com/fairbanksicedogs.