2024-25 Omaha Hockey Roster

The 2024-25 roster is out! Soooo many new names and faces this season! Stay tuned for more player profiles!

Here are a few we’ve already done:

Aiden Gallacher 

Dylan Gratton 

Sam Stange 

Harrison Israels 

Brady Risk 

𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻 ➡️ 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗮 – Austin Rush Leaving Omaha Hockey Program

Austin Rush

Austin Rush, Assistant Athletic Director - Communications (HKY, TF/XC, MTEN), announced on July 16 that he has accepted a new position in the American Hockey League and will be leaving his job at UNO. His last day with the hockey program will be Friday, July 19.

Assistant Director of Communications Anna Watson (WBB, SB, MSOC, SWIM & DIVE, WTEN) will be the new point of contact for the hockey program.

Rush joined the Mavericks in August of 2022 as an Assistant Director of Athletic Communications. He was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director – Communications in June of 2023.

Rush joined Omaha Hockey after working for a year with the Madison Capitols of the United States Hockey League as their Director of Media Relations. While with the Capitols, Rush was responsible for all social media and content creation, player and media relations, curation of the Capitols website and served as the play-by-play voice of the team.

Before joining the Capitols, he spent a year and a half as the Digital Media Coordinator for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. Rush worked primarily in content creation and social media during his time with the NCHC.

One of his highlights from his time at the NCHC is when he joined them in Omaha for the NCHC Pod in December of 2020. While in the Pod, he helped create highlight packages from all 39 games, had a hand in running social channels for behind-the-scenes content, took over the ncaaicehockey Instagram for a day and helped get players and coaches to their TV and media responsibilities.

A four-year graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2019. Rush credits his start to working in sports information to his time at UMD. The Plymouth, Minnesota native worked for the UMD Sports Information Department where he directly worked with the UMD men’s hockey team from his sophomore year until graduation.

Omaha Hockey 2024-25 Schedule Officially Released

We’ve been assembling the 2024-25 Omaha Hockey schedule since April 19, but the program released the official schedule today. (We had everything on it except the Dec. 29 home exhibition versus Manitoba, and the opponent — Wisconsin — for the Oct. 5 home exhibition). 

Here’s the official news release:

The Omaha Mavericks have unveiled their full schedule for the 2024-25 season. Omaha finished the 2023-24 campaign with a record of 23-13-4. They secured the program's second winningest season along with its fifth NCAA Tournament berth and first ever NCHC Frozen Faceoff appearance.

Like last season, the Mavericks will open October with an exhibition. The Wisconsin Badgers roll into Omaha on Oct. 5 for the first time since November of 2019. It will be a special night at Baxter Arena as Mike Kemp Ice will officially be unveiled and celebrated. Coach Kemp was a long-time assistant with the Badgers before becoming the head coach at UNO.

The Mavericks officially open the 2024-25 college hockey season at the 2024 Ice Breaker Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada. Omaha draws Massachusetts in the opening game of the tournament on Oct. 11. They'll finish the weekend with either host team Minnesota or Air Force the following night. The Mavericks will return home to battle Augustana on Oct. 18-19 and will wrap up October on the road against Minnesota State on the 25-26. It will be the first time the two Maverick squads have played each other in the regular season since October of 2015.

Following their Minnesota State series, Omaha will break for a bye week before opening up NCHC play with Western Michigan, Nov. 7-8. The series will also mark the celebration of UNO's 2024 Homecoming weekend. Omaha gets their first look at Arizona State as an official member of the NCHC the following weekend in Tempe, Nov. 15-16. The Mavericks return home to play the RedHawks of Miami on Nov. 22-23. During the series finale on Saturday the 23rd, Omaha will host their annual Military Appreciation Night in partnership with WoodmenLife.

The Mavericks meet St. Cloud State on the road for their opening series of December. They'll battle the Huskies in St. Cloud, Minn. on Dec. 6-7. Omaha heads back to Baxter Arena the following weekend to take on Lindenwood for the first time in program history Dec. 13-14. Omaha will break for the holiday and return to action on Dec. 29 in a home exhibition against Manitoba. The final contest of 2024 against the Bison will serve as Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Night.

The Mavericks open the new year in Palm Springs for the inaugural Cactus Cup hosted by UMass Lowell. Omaha will face Holy Cross in the first game of the tournament before playing Lowell or Michigan Tech the next night. A highly anticipated series against Colorado College is next up for the Mavericks at home January 10-11. Omaha wraps up January on the road against Miami (Jan. 17-18) and St. Cloud State at Baxter Arena (Jan. 24-25).

The Mavericks will meet the defending national champion Denver Pioneers Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 in the Mile High City. They'll return to Baxter Arena to face the Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth on Feb. 7-8 and then hop right back on the road against Western Michigan, Feb. 14-15.

Omaha's final home series of the regular season will be against Arizona State on Feb. 28 and March 1. The Friday night game of the ASU series will serve as the Leap-for-a-Cure night in partnership with Methodist. Lastly, they'll face a familiar foe in North Dakota for their regular season series finale in Grand Forks, March 7-8.

Transfer Profile (2024): Defenseman Aiden Gallacher (Northern Michigan ➡️ Omaha)

 

Senior Defenseman Aiden Gallacher

Former School: Northern Michigan (Wildcats)

Hometown: Rochester Hills, Michigan

Birthday: March 30, 2000

Height: 6' 1"

Weight: 190

Shoots: Right

@AidenGalla (Twitter)

Junior Hockey Career: 

• Led all Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) defensemen in goals (8), assists (17), and points (25) in 46 games played in 2019-20, including 13 points (3 goals, 10 assists) on the power play. He was also team captain in the 2019-20 season.
• Had 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) and was +20 in 37 games with Youngstown in 2018-19.
• Recorded 10 points (1 goal, 9 assists) and a +5 rating in his first season in junior hockey with the Bismarck Bobcats of the NAHL in 2017-18.

College Hockey Career:

• Played his freshman and sophomore seasons with Michigan State, recording 1 goal and 3 assists. As a freshman (2020-2021), he appeared in all but one game and was an AHCA/Krampade Academic All-American Scholar. As a sophomore (2021-22), he had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 26 blocked shots in 32 games. He was Academic All-Big Ten and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
• Transferred to Northern Michigan where he skated in all 38 games as a junior. Gallacher led the nation with 104 blocks that season (2022-23) and had 2 goals and 5 assists with a +6 plus/minus rating. He recorded one short-handed goal, one game-winning goal and one multi-goal game (2 goals against Bemidji state in January 2023).
• He was a co-captain for the Wildcats his senior season (2023-24), playing in all 34 games. He had 3 goals, 5 assists and led the team with 78 blocked shots. He scored his second career game-winning goal in a 3-1 win over Michigan Tech in December 2023. He was named to the CCHA Scholar-Athlete Team.

News articles:

– From Mike McMahon’s College Hockey Insider newsletter

A two-way defenseman with good offensive instincts … Possesses excellent on-ice awareness and vision … Has a quick shot release from the blue line … Uses his size and quick feet very well to defend in his own zone.

— From “Spartan Hockey Signs Four for 2020-21”

Our thanks to the Sacred Heart Hockey blog for the inspiration for the blog post concept. 

Menke Family Captain’s Scholarship To Support Omaha Hockey

 

Menke Family Establishes Scholarship for Omaha Hockey Captain                                                          

The family of Brandon M. Menke, M.D., has established the Menke Family Captain’s Scholarship for the captain of the Omaha Hockey program. This is the first position-specific scholarship for any sport within Omaha Athletics.

The investment in the Maverick Hockey program will assist Omaha Hockey head coach Mike Gabinet in recruiting and retaining prospective student-athletes who excel on the rink and demonstrate excellent leadership qualities. The scholarship will be in place for five years.

“I’m grateful to the Menke family for their investment in our program and our student-athletes,” Gabinet said. “Their gift demonstrates to our players just how much Maverick fans care about the success of this team and its players, on and off the ice. The team captain is a difference-maker for our hockey program, and I’m pleased to have this as a named position.”

Dr. Menke made a generous gift commitment through the University of Nebraska Foundation to establish the full scholarship. The amount of the gift is not being disclosed at the donor’s request.

He is a partner and ophthalmologist at Ilumin Eye Center in Omaha and a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. His wife, Dr. Kristen Menke, is a psychologist at Omaha Integrative Care. The couple has two daughters, Sloane and Blaire.

“To me, a great captain is not someone who scores the most goals or most assists but rather helps others achieve their goals to help the team as a whole,” Dr. Menke said. “A captain does not care who scores the winning goal as long as the team wins. A captain is a leader.”

He said he grew up playing hockey and loves the sport. He brought older daughter Sloane to her first hockey game when she was just 2 years old, and now younger daughter Blaire attends games, too. Maverick Hockey has become a family affair.

Dr. Menke said he hopes the family’s gift will inspire others to support the Maverick Hockey program.

“The close community and small college feel that UNO has, coupled with great hockey, made for the perfect match for my family to connect to,” he said. “My wife’s parents and my parents also instilled a mindset of giving back and philanthropy. Whether it be time, money or simply caring, giving back is what helps anything succeed.”

The inaugural recipient of the Menke Family Captain’s Scholarship will be announced by fall 2024. The scholarship can be renewed if the recipient continues to serve as team captain and is in good academic standing. The gift was made as part of Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future. The campaign is a historic effort to engage 150,000 benefactors to give $3 billion to support University of Nebraska students, faculty, academic and clinical programs and research to address the needs of the state. Scholarships are a top priority of the campaign.

“We are so grateful to the Menke family for their incredible generosity in support of Maverick Hockey student-athletes,” Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Adrian Dowell said. “The momentum of our hockey program is exciting and made possible by an incredible fanbase and donors like the Menke family.

Mike Kemp Presented With NCHC’s 2024 Distinguished Service Award

Mike Kemp

For his work as an administrator at the University of Nebraska Omaha and ambassador of college hockey, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) has honored Omaha Executive Associate Athletics Director Mike Kemp with the 2024 NCHC Distinguished Service Award. Kemp is retiring in May after a 48-year career in college athletics as a coach and administrator.

Kemp was bestowed with the NCHC Distinguished Service Award in person on Monday night, April 29, at the NCHC Annual Meeting dinner and reception at the Naples Grande Beach Resort. NCHC staff presented Kemp with the Distinguished Service Award with representatives from the entire membership in attendance.
 
While Kemp made a massive impact during his coaching career, his move to the ‘front office’ as an administrator was just influential. His biggest contribution to the NCHC, along with helping Omaha be a founding member of the Conference, is serving as the director of the NCHC Pod. In addition, Kemp has served on the NCHC’s Athletic Council during the entirety of the Conference (11 years).
 
“We are honored to present Mike with our Distinguished Service Award. He has been an important and influential dignitary in college hockey for many years,” said NCHC Commissioner Heather Weems. “As the first hockey coach at Omaha, he helped put the Mavericks on the map and has only continued to build the program in his administrative role. From serving as Chair of the Ice Hockey Championship Committee to hosting the NCHC Pod, Mike has always had the NCHC’s and college hockey’s best interest at heart. He is more than deserving of this award.”
 
Kemp played a major role in UNO’s Baxter Arena serving as the host venue for the NCHC Pod, which was held in Omaha in December of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kemp oversaw the unprecedented task of playing 38 NCHC games in 21 days with eight teams in one venue – something never done in any college sport – while helping complete it safely and successfully, which it was. From team arrivals, to locker room set-up and rotation, to practice and morning skate schedules, to venue operations and COVID-19 testing, Kemp had a hand in making sure the Pod was run smoothly while providing a secure environment for all.
 
In April 2021, Kemp was awarded the NCHC’s first Commissioner’s Award for his work in hosting and overseeing the NCHC Pod.
 
Kemp also served on the NCAA Ice Hockey Championship Committee for five years from 2017-22, including holding the role of Chair for two years in 2021 and 2022. While Chair, Kemp and his committee had to hand-select the 2021 NCAA Tournament field during the pandemic due to a lack of non-conference games and no Pairwise Ratings. He also had to adjust a regional location on short notice in 2021, while ensuring a safe and successful tournament. During his two years as Chair, Kemp presented the National Championship trophy to UMass (2021) in Pittsburgh and NCHC member Denver (2022) in Boston.
 
Along with coaching Omaha to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006, Kemp also secured Omaha’s first on-campus arena in his position as a UNO administrator. He played a key role in the design and construction of Baxter Arena, which opened in 2015. The Mavericks announced on April 19 that the ice at Baxter Arena would be renamed 'Kemp Ice’ in honor of their first head coach.
 
"This is another honor to highlight the impactful career of Mike Kemp." said Adrian Dowell, Vice Chancellor / Director of Athletics at Omaha. "We are very appreciative to the NCHC for appropriately recognizing Mike's contributions over decades to not only UNO but also the conference and college hockey."
 
Kemp has been a part of the Omaha Mavericks’ family for 27 years, serving in multiple functions. He has been in his current role as Omaha senior associate AD for events and facilities since being promoted in March of 2019. Prior to that, he was an associate athletic director at UNO for 12 years, moving into that role in 2009 after completing a 12-year run as the program’s first head hockey coach. A member of the Omaha Hockey Hall of Fame and Omaha Sports Hall of Fame, Kemp helped start the Omaha hockey program in 1997, joining the staff in 1996. He now oversees UNO’s hockey program and Baxter Arena in his current position.
 
Kemp is the seventh recipient of the NCHC Distinguished Service Award, which is not necessarily bestowed upon someone annually, but is presented to an individual who has served, supported and promoted the goals and ideals of the NCHC and who, through personal effort and dedication, has enhanced the ability of the Conference and/or its member institutions to provide a positive experience for the stu­dent-athletes enrolled at NCHC member institutions.
 
The inaugural NCHC Distinguished Service Award was presented to Mr. Bill Hybl, the Chairman and CEO of El Pomar Foundation, in 2016, while former Denver Director of Athletics Ron Grahame received the honor in 2017. In 2018, Peg Bradley-Doppes, former University of Denver Vice Chancellor for Athletics, and Brian Faison, former University of North Dakota Director of Athletics, were co-honorees, both of whom were heavily involved in the founding of the NCHC, along with 2019 winner Ken Ralph, the former Colorado College Director of Athletics. The most recent recipient is nine-year NCHC Commissioner Josh Fenton, who received it in 2022 following his final season.
 
PREVIOUS NCHC DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD WINNERS
2016 – Bill Hybl, Chairman and CEO of El Pomar Foundation
2017 – Ron Grahame, former Athletics Director at University of Denver
2018 – Peg Bradley-Doppes, former University of Denver Vice Chancellor for Athletics
2018 – Brian Faison, former University of North Dakota Director of Athletics
2019 – Ken Ralph, former Colorado College Director of Athletics
2022 – Josh Fenton, former NCHC Commissioner

2024-25 Omaha Hockey Schedule

We’re starting to put together the pieces of the 2024-25 Omaha Hockey schedule. (Let us know if you hear of any games/series!)

Updated 7/2/24 (with the official release of the schedule).

Oct. 5, 2024 

Exhibition at Baxter Arena: Wisconsin

Oct. 11-12, 2024

Ice Breaker Tournament – Las Vegas, Nevada

Omaha, Minnesota, Air Force Academy, Massachusetts

Friday, Oct. 11 

Omaha vs. Massachusetts

Saturday, Oct. 12

Omaha vs. Minnesota or Air Force

Oct. 18-19, 2024

Augustana at Baxter Arena

Oct. 25-26, 2024
@ Minnesota State Mankato (Mankato, MN)

Nov. 8-9, 2024
Western Michigan at Baxter Arena

Nov. 15-16, 2024
@ Arizona State (Tempe, AZ)

Nov. 22-23, 2024
Miami at Baxter Arena

Dec. 6-7, 2024
@ St. Cloud State (St. Cloud, MN)

Dec. 13-14, 2024
Lindenwood at Baxter Arena

Dec. 31 (Sunday), 2024

Exhibition at Baxter Arena: Manitoba

Jan. 3-4, 2025

Coachella Valley Cactus Cup – Palm Springs, California

Friday, Jan. 3 – 3:30 p.m. – Omaha vs. Holy Cross

Saturday, Jan. 4 – 3:30 p.m. OR 7 p.m. – Omaha vs. Michigan Tech or UMass Lowell

Jan. 10-11, 2025
Colorado College at Baxter Arena

Jan. 17-18, 2025
@ Miami (Oxford, OH)

Jan. 24-25, 2025
St. Cloud State at Baxter Arena

Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 2025
@ Denver (Denver, CO)

Feb. 7-8, 2025
Minnesota Duluth at Baxter Arena

Feb. 14-15, 2025
@ Western Michigan (Kalamazoo, MI)

Feb. 28-March 1, 2025
Arizona State at Baxter Arena

March 7-8, 2025
@ North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND)

March 14-16, 2025

First Round NCHC Playoffs (campus sites)

March 21-22, 2025

NCHC Frozen Faceoff (St. Paul, MN)

March 27-30, 2025

NCAA Tournament Regionals

Allentown, PA

Fargo, ND

Toledo, OH

Manchester, NH

April 10 & 12, 2025

Frozen Four

Enterprise Center (St. Louis, MO)

- Updated 7/2/2024