How Two Friends Built an Alaska Hockey Community

What makes someone stay in Alaska for more than four decades?This week on It's Alaska, Brad Erickson sits down with longtime friends Brad Spees and Tim Briner, whose 45-year friendship began in a UAA locker room when they discovered they were both wearing Philadelphia Flyers jerseys.The conversation traces their journeys to Alaska in the late 1970s and early 1980s, what Anchorage looked like when they first arrived, and how the state has changed over the years. They share stories about delayed television broadcasts, satellite-only communications, and why, despite today's challenges, they remain optimistic about Alaska's future.They also discuss their passion for hockey and how, after the Alaska Aces folded, they helped create something new. What started as one recreational hockey team has grown into The Chill Hockey League - a thriving USA Hockey-sanctioned league that now brings together players from every profession and background to compete, connect, and build lasting friendships.Plus, hear some of the funniest questions they've ever been asked by people outside Alaska, including whether they live in igloos and just how much Denali weighs.Whether you're a lifelong Alaskan or simply fascinated by the Last Frontier, this episode is a reminder that the people and the community are what make Alaska truly special.🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcast.