Gophers Hockey: Jared Larson transfers to Alaska

After deciding to transfer in April, University of Minnesota forward Jared Larson has chosen the University of Alaska as his next destination.

The redshirt junior announced his decision Wednesday via Twitter.

After graduation in August from the U of M, I'm excited to say I'm headed back up to Fairbanks to finish my college career with UAF #nanooks

— Jared Larson (@JLARSON23) July 3, 2013

Playing for the Nanooks is a return of sorts for Larson. The Apple Valley, MN native spent two years in Alaska with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the NAHL.

He is the second player in recent months to transfer from Minnesota, joining defenseman Blake Thompson (who transferred to Minnesota State).

Larson was scoreless in four games last season for the Gophers following a redshirt year in 2011-12. All four of the games were early in the season. Although he was injured against Vermont in November, Larson was never able to find a place back in a packed Minnesota lineup afterward.

With Alaska, Larson will be able to play right away. The 23 year-old is graduating from Minnesota as an undergrad , which allows him to be eligible this season for the Nanooks rather than sitting out a year as a transfer. Because of that, Larson has two years of college hockey eligibility remaining.

Alaska went 17-16-4 last season in the CCHA to finish sixth in the conference. This year the team will join the WCHA along with four other schools from the now-defunct CCHA.

Larson will wear #29 for the Nanooks.

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