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FAIRBANKS — Even when the Alaska Nanooks weren’t on the ice, Fairbanks fans had a few familiar faces to root for at the Brice Alaska Goal Rush.

Alaska Anchorage Seawolves junior center Nick Haddad was born and raised in Fairbanks and spent three years with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs.

Skating alongside Haddad was freshman defenseman Drew Darwitz, who completed a three-year career with the Ice Dogs this spring.

“It always feels good to see the home crowd when your friends and family are there,” Haddad said. “It’s great to play in front of them.”

Haddad gave his hometown supporters something to cheer for as he slapped a goal from the right circle into the high-left corner of the net.

The fourth goal of his career — and his first collegiate score in the Carlson Center — was bittersweet because the Seawolves lost 5-3 to the Robert Morris Colonials, Haddad said.

Though his family rooted for the Alaska Nanooks as he grew up, they had no trouble switching allegiances once he joined the Seawolves.

“Oh, no, they’re all UAA,” said Haddad, who also tabbed an assist in a 3-0 victory over RPI on Friday night.

Darwitz was never an official resident of Fairbanks, but he still had a homecoming of sorts as he ran into old friends around town this weekend.

The freshman saw significant minutes in the Goal Rush due to injuries, and he’s trying to learn as quickly as possible.

Adapting to the college game’s speed is one of the biggest hurdles.

“In college hockey, you don’t have time to think too much,” he said.

Contact staff writer Joshua Armstrong at 459-7583.