- List of athletes from Alaska
This list indexes notable athletes from
Alaska .* John Baker (b. 1960 or 1961 in Kotzebue), a perennial top 10 finisher at the
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race .
*Chad Bentz (born on May 5, 1980 in Seward, Alaska) is a Major League Baseball pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds organization. Bentz grew up in Juneau, and he made history in 2004 by becoming the second pitcher, after Jim Abbott, to play the sport after being born without one of his hands. Bentz fields and catches with his glove the same way Abbott did when he played in the 1980s and early 1990s.
*Carlos Boozer (b. 1982), a power forward for theNBA 'sUtah Jazz . An All-American while playing high school basketball in Juneau, Boozer rose to national fame during his collegiate career atDuke University . He helped lead the team to an NCAA Men's National Championship in 2001. Boozer left Duke prior to his senior year and was selected in the second round (35th overall) of the2002 NBA draft by theCleveland Cavaliers . In the midst of a major controversy with the team surrounding his free agency, Boozer signed with theUtah Jazz in 2004.
*Susan Butcher (1954-2006), dog-musher, second female winner of theIditarod Trail Sled Dog Race (1986), and four-time overall winner ('86, '87, '88 and '90). She remains arguably the sport's most popular figure in the world as a result of her many accomplishments.
*Matthew Carle (b. 1984 in Anchorage), a defenceman for the NHL'sSan Jose Sharks .
*Shawn Chacón (b. 1977 in Anchorage), a right-handedMajor League Baseball starting pitcher for thePittsburgh Pirates .
*Mario Chalmers (b. 1986 in Anchorage) is a guard for theUniversity of Kansas men's basketball team.
*Ty Conklin (b. 1976 in Anchorage), a backupgoaltender for thePittsburgh Penguins . He established several school records during his career with theNCAA 'sUniversity of New Hampshire . In his final year there in 2001, Conklin was named First Team All-American and was a finalist for theHobey Baker Award , which goes to the NCAA's top men's ice hockey player.
*Rosey Fletcher (b. 1975 in Anchorage), snowboarder and U.S. Winter Olympian (1998, '02, and '06). She won thebronze medal for the U.S. in the women's parallel giant slalom event in 2006.
*Scott Gomez (b. 1979 in Anchorage), a center for theNew York Rangers . Drafted 27th overall in the1998 NHL Entry Draft , he was the first Latino player in the NHL, and won theCalder Trophy as the league's Rookie of the Year in 2000. Gomez helped the Devils win theStanley Cup in 2000 and 2003. During the2004-05 NHL lockout he played for theECHL 'sAlaska Aces minor league team. He was a member of the U.S. men's hockey team at the2006 Winter Olympics .
*Brandon Dubinsky (b. 1986 in Anchorage) a center for the NHLNew York Rangers . NY Rangers' 2nd round choice, 60th overall, in 2004 NHL Draft. Currently 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) through 74 games of the 2007-2008 season, his first full season in the NHL.
*Sam Hoger (b. 1980 in Eagle River), amixed martial arts fighter. He is most notable for his appearance on the first season ofThe Ultimate Fighter , a reality television series produced by theUltimate Fighting Championship and broadcast onSpike TV .
*DeeDee Jonrowe (b. 1953), dog-musher and Iditarod female record-holder for fastest time. She gained fame for her completion of the race in 2003 just three weeks after completing chemotherapy for breast cancer.
* Jeff King (b. 1956), dog-musher, four-time winner of the Iditarod, and one-time winner of the U.S./CanadianYukon Quest Sled Dog Race.
*Trajan Langdon (b. 1976 in Anchorage), ashooting guard for CSKA Moscow of theEuroleague . A three-time Alaska Player of the Year during his years with East Anchorage High School, Langdon gained fame in the U.S. while playing collegiately at Duke University. There he earned the nickname "the Alaskan Assassin" for his proficiency at three-point shooting. He became the first Alaska-born player in the NBA after being taken 11th overall in the1999 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. After three years with the team, Langdon signed with the Euroleague in 2002.
*Hilary Lindh (b. 1969 in Juneau),alpine skier , four-time National Championship winner, and U.S. Winter Olympian (1988, '92, and '94). She won thesilver medal in the women'sdownhill event in 1992.
*Lance Mackey (b. 1970), dog musher and winner of back to back Yukon Quest and Iditarod Sled Dog races. Selected as #2 on the 2008Sports Illustrated list of toughest athletes. Mackey also survived a battle withthroat cancer .
*Tommy Moe (b. 1970), alpine skier, five-time National Championship winner, and U.S. Winter Olympian (1992, '94, and '98). He won thegold medal in men's downhill skiing and the silver medal in the men'ssuper-G event in 1994, making him the first American male skier to win multiple medals in a single Olympics.
*Josh Phelps (b. 1978 in Anchorage), afirst baseman /designated hitter for theNew York Yankees .
*Kikkan Randall (b. 1982), nordic skier, seven-time National Champion, and two time U.S. Winter Olympian (2002, '06). She placed 3rd in the indivdual sprint atRybinsk ,Russia on January 21st, 2007, the best American women's finish in a World Cup. She also had the best ever American women's finish in the Olympics (9th place in the 2006 individual sprint).
*Joe Redington, Sr. (1917-1999), dog musher and promoter. Known as the "Father of the Iditarod," he helped establish the event in 1967 and personally competed in it starting in 1974. In 2003, a memorial with a life-size bronze statue was unveiled at the Iditarod Trail Committee Headquarters in Wasilla.
*Libby Riddles (b. 1956), dog-musher and first woman to win the Iditarod.
*Curt Schilling (b. 1966 in Anchorage), a right-handed starting pitcher for theBoston Red Sox . He was a member of theArizona Diamondbacks '2001 World Series championship team, and was named co-winner of theWorld Series MVP Award . Schilling helped lead the Red Sox to a memorable2004 World Series championship, the team's first since 1918. He pitched a dramatic victory in Game 6 of the2004 American League Championship Series against the arch-rival New York Yankees, despite a severe ankle injury.
*Mark Schlereth (b. 1966 in Anchorage), a formerNFL guard and current football analyst forESPN . He is featured on the network's "NFL Live " show and is a regular fill-in host onESPN Radio 's "Mike and Mike in the Morning " program. Schlereth was selected in the tenth round (#263 overall) of the1989 NFL Draft by theWashington Redskins . He played twelve NFL seasons: six with Washington (1989-1994), and six with theDenver Broncos (1995-2000). He was a member of threeSuper Bowl championship teams.
*Rick Swenson (b. 1950), dog-musher and five-time winner of the Iditarod.
* Dave Williams (b. 1979 in Anchorage), a left-handed relief pitcher for theNew York Mets .
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