“Have some fun” Andrew Fan skates from the professionals to the ACHA – The Every day Evergreen

A primary-round exit within the PAC-8 playoffs and a 2-12 convention report. That was Western Washington’s 2024-25 season, which left followers underwhelmed by the Vikings. 

A yr later, the workforce flipped the script. Dominating in convention with a 6-2 report, 5 gamers averaging over 2.0 factors per sport and the main level scorer for the Pac-8.

The man standing atop the PAC for factors (43) in addition to assists (29) is the sophomore Andrew Fan. It is not only his stats that make him leap off the web page, however his background. 

Before becoming a member of the Vikings in Bellingham, Fan performed three seasons for the Tri-City Americans within the Western Hockey League… skilled hockey. 

Of course, on nearer look, his time within the present appears to be like much less spectacular. His first season had him getting solely 15 video games of ice time, recording one level off a single help. However, years two and three obtained him out for 67 and 63 video games, the place he scored 12 targets and 11 assists.

Despite the comparatively quiet professional profession, his impression on the Vikings has been observed instantly. 

“He’s got a great hockey IQ,” WSU head coach Johnny Lupinacci stated. “When he’s on the ice, there’s a scoring threat… he’s not only a threat himself, but he’s setting up his teammates.” 

WSU was all too aware of that scoring menace because the Vikings swept the Cougs of their first two video games of PAC-8 play. Fan was everywhere in the ice, racking up help after help and at one level scoring a breakaway objective on sophomore goaltender Drew Ramsay. 

“When I saw him on that breakaway, I knew that was going to be brutal,” Ramsay stated. “I definitely saw someone who’s been in the system for a while and played very high-level hockey. I actually faced him a while ago when I was EBUG for the Tri-City Americans… But, I definitely saw a talented guy.” 

Although he performed at a a lot increased degree than ACHA Division II, Fan felt that making the change was the precise transfer. 

“Honestly, I just want to have some fun,” Fan stated. “I miss being part of the team. So, that’s kind of the big motivator there.”

Not even a full yr within the league and Fan already feels that he has discovered what he’s searching for.

“Oh, definitely! I love the guys,” he stated. “They’re awesome and they’re like a second family.” 

While he has discovered that reference to the Vikings, there are some issues that Fan misses from his professional days.

“The professionalism,” he stated. “It was really nice. We bus everywhere, I had really nice meals and it was literally professional hockey.”

Despite his skilled pedigree, Fan avoids having a giant head.   

“It’s definitely a big, big, big change,” he stated. “But, they’re still really good guys in this league, so it’s really competitive.” 

For these on the ice with him, that mentality is obvious. 

“He’s a great locker room presence,” Western goaltender Nolan Morena stated. “You would think someone coming from that high level would come in and think that they are above everyone else. He doesn’t believe that at all. He’s very humble and he’s very considerate of the people around him. That’s an incredible presence.”  

It is not only gamers who share that sentiment.

“He has been a pinnacle part of our team,” Western head coach Adam Segaar stated. “But, you go in our locker room, he doesn’t act like the end-all be-all. He’s like, ‘I’m just a guy on the team. I’m here to do my job. What do you want me to do?”

Fan takes satisfaction in his humble method, however notes that his professional expertise places a bit additional weight on his shoulders. 

“I definitely try,” he stated. “We have really good leaders on the team already. But, coming in, I think I have a little more experience than some guys, so I try to definitely step up and take on a bigger role on the team.” 

With his manufacturing this yr and his presence on the ice, even opposing groups see the profit that he brings to the league.

“So glad to see him on the ice,” Lupinacci stated. “It’s definitely a gift to the whole conference to have him in it.”

While some have been impressed by Fan, others will not be fully bought. 

“I am underwhelmed,” WSU goaltender Alexei Kuhl stated. “It was a good breakaway goal, don’t get me wrong. But other than that, me and Drew stuffed him all weekend.”

Despite Kuhl’s claims the Vikings put up a mixed 11 targets in opposition to WSU within the two video games. After the pair of convention wins, Western made it clear what their targets are for the yr. 

“We’re trying to build a championship team,” Fan stated. “It’s not just this year, it’s for the next coming years. We want to own a championship.” 

That objective is shared up and down the bench.

“Honestly, I think we’re going for the PAC-8 championship for sure,” Morena stated. 

For Segaar, recruiting Fan set them on that path. 

“Recruiting helped out very well,” Segaar stated. “A lot of people know me in the league… I called Andrew [Fan] one day and I just invited him out to practice… Me and him hit it off, no pressure and just started talking… He loved the boys. Our team’s a great group and he said ‘hey I want to play some serious hockey again’…. He brought Aaron James and Jacob James [with him].”

The James brothers have equally been on a sizzling run to start out the yr, placing up a mixed 49 factors, 17 targets and 32 assists. Needless to say, the Vikings’ recruitment has given them three names which might be dominating within the Pac-8. 

After getting swept by the Cal Berkeley Bears on Nov. 9 and 10, the Vikings will face off with the Cougs on Nov. 22, the weekend earlier than Thanksgiving.