Emil Gabrielson Traded to Fairbanks Ice Dogs
A major part of the NM Ice Wolves’ commitment to individual players is to help them achieve their developmental goals and their college hockey aspirations. As the NAHL playoff picture becomes more clear, the team has offered our older players who will age out after this season a chance to make a playoff run with another team and be in front of more scouts for the remainder of the 2019-20 NAHL hockey season. In the first of such moves, the team has traded 20 year-old Swedish player Emil Gabrielson to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. The playoff-bound Fairbanks Ice Dogs currently sit 3rd in the league with 63 points and are first in the Midwest Division.
Gabrielson came to the Ice Wolves in mid-October in a trade with the Maryland Black Bears. The Swedish power forward spent most of his career with the Malmö Redhawks organization and made the jump across the pond this season. He quickly made the adjustment to North American ice and became a staple at the Outpost Ice Arena.
During his time with New Mexico, Gabrielson racked up eight goals and nine assists for a total of 17 points. His contributions off the ice were just as significant, as he was always willing to attend community outreach events and engage with fans. The Ice Wolves would like to thank Emil for his time here, and the entire organization wishes him the very best in Fairbanks as he finishes his junior hockey career.
Head coach Phil Fox says, “Our ultimate development goal is to help each of our players be ready and have a chance to play at the next level which is Division I college hockey. If we can help an uncommitted player get more looks from scouts playing on a team that will be making a playoff run, we want to give them that opportunity. Gabrielson is not only a great player but he’s also a great teammate. We will all miss Emil, but we will also be cheering loudly for him in the NAHL playoffs and beyond.” Fox added, “With Emil moving to Fairbanks, even more opportunity opens for our younger players as we continue to build for next season and a playoff run for all our players and all our tremendous fans!”
The NM Ice Wolves will always make decisions that are in the best interest of both the team and individual players who choose our organization as the place to develop their full potential for college hockey and beyond. The entire NM Ice Wolves organization is proud of Emil Gabrielson and glad to provide him the opportunity to extend his season into the playoffs. The team will use the assets acquired in this trade to continue to build for the future, become a household name in the NAHL and bring playoff hockey to Albuquerque, New Mexico in the very near future. Gabrielson will represent the NM Ice Wolves at the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament next month in Attleboro, Massachussetts.