Former Grand Forks Central captain William Lawson-Body returns home with Nanooks
Jan. 4—GRAND FORKS — Alaska played in the Great Lakes Invitational last weekend in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Instead of flying back to Fairbanks for a couple of days, then back to the lower 48 states to play UND, the Nanooks decided to spend all week in Grand Forks.
It's a good thing they've got a tour guide on the team.
Former Grand Forks Central captain William Lawson-Body is a freshman forward at Alaska. He's been showing his teammates parts of the city as the await their two-game series at 7:07 p.m. Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday.
The Nanooks had dinner at Lawson-Body's family home Tuesday night, catering Olive Garden.
Lawson-Body also has taken some teammates to Urban Stampede for coffee.
"It's been pretty fun," Lawson-Body said. "Just being here on Monday gives you a whole week here. Sometimes, you get to a place on Wednesday or Thursday, it's a little shorter. We've had an extended time in Grand Forks. They've enjoyed it so far. It's a little different for them, but I think it's been fun showing them where you've grown up."
Captain Harrison Israels said he's enjoyed the week so far.
"We've got a lot of free time right now, so we've been exploring the city a bit — coffee shops, movie theaters, that kind of thing," Israels said. "It's been nice. Obviously, the weather isn't as bad as Fairbanks. It's cold, but definitely not that cold. I think all the guys have had a good time so far."
Lawson-Body starred at Central for three seasons.
As a sophomore and junior, the Knights went a combined 49-1-2 with seven future Division-I players on the roster and won back-to-back state championships. They went 22-5 during Lawson-Body's senior season.
He spent three years in the North American Hockey League before committing to Alaska.
Lawson-Body has only played one game so far this season — at home against No. 6 Denver.
"We have to do things a little bit different," Alaska coach Erik Largen said. "We have to be a four-line team, an older team that plays. For him, it's just going to take time. He kind of got thrown into the fire second game against Denver. I thought he was fine. For him, he's had a great attitude just with his work in practice. He's very positive, hard worker, trying to continue to learn structure and details. I just think that comes with time.
"I'd feel comfortable playing him, but we just have an older group up front."
Lawson-Body, who had 123 points in three high school seasons, said he's working to crack the lineup in the second half.
"It's just executing, being part of the team, being part of a five-man unit whenever you're on the ice and doing whatever it takes," Lawson-Body said. "I'm trying to contribute to the team every day and trying to break in. That's what I've been focused on. I think that will continue day by day."
Lawson-Body also is adjusting to life in Fairbanks.
"It's a little bit like Grand Forks," Lawson-Body said. "The cold starts a little earlier. Our first weekend of the year at home against Denver, it was full of snow everywhere. It's been pretty cool. Right now, when we get home it's dark almost all day. It's just little things. At the end of the day, it's hockey and that's what we're there for and that's what we focus on."
When: 7:07 p.m. Friday, 6:07 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Ralph Engelstad Arena.
TV: Midco Sports (GF Ch. 27/622 HD).
Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM).
Stream: NCHChockey.com.
