Friday, April 19, 2024

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!)


Oct. 11-12, 2024
Ice Breaker Tournament – Las Vegas, Nevada
Omaha, Minnesota, Air Force Academy, Massachusetts

Friday, Oct. 11 
Saturday, Oct. 12

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)

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 Faceoff
Enterprise Center (St. Louis, MO)





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Thursday, April 18, 2024

Transfer Profile (2024): Defenseman Dylan Gratton (Penn State ➡️ Omaha)

 


Sophomore Defenseman Dylan Gratton

Former School: Penn State (Nittany Lions)

Hometown: Pottstown, Pennsylvania

Birthday: Feb. 25, 2003

Height: 6' 0"

Weight: 180

Shoots: Left

@DylanGratton1 (Twitter)


Junior Hockey Career: 

  • Played with the Sioux City Musketeers in 2021-22 (3 goals, 15 assists – 18 points), the Youngstown Phantoms in 2020-21 (4 goals, 13 assists – 17 points), and the Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2019-20 (1 goal, 8 assists – 9 points). Helped lead the Musketeers to its fourth Clark Cup Championship.
  • Had a +19 rating in the 2021-22 season with the Musketeers.


College Hockey Career:

  • 24 points (5 goals, 19 assists) in 69 games (2022-2024). 
  • Played in 36 games as a sophomore. 
  • As a freshman, led all Nittany Lion freshmen with 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists). His first goal for PSU was the game-winning goal in a 6-3 victory vs. Mercyhurst.

News articles:
“Gratton started most of his sophomore season alongside linemate Simon Mack. In December coach Guy Gadowsky called the duo his most consistent pairing and applauded Gratton’s individual performance throughout the year.”


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


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Transfer Profile (2024): Forward Sam Stange (Wisconsin ➡️ Omaha)

Senior Forward Sam Stange

Former School: Wisconsin (Badgers)

Hometown: Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Birthday: April 20, 2001

Height: 6' 1"

Weight: 208

Shoots: Right

Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft

@sam_stange3 (Twitter)

@samstange3 (Instagram)


Junior Hockey Career: 

  • Played with the Sioux City Musketeers and Sioux Falls Stampede (2019-20) in the USHL. Scored 45 points in 48 games (26 goals, 19 assists). Tied for fifth in scoring in the USHL that year. Named 2020 Third-Team All-USHL. 
  • Played for both Team Wisconsin (UMHSEHL) and Eau Claire North during the 2019-19 season. Named 2019 Wisconsin State Player of the Year. Named to the U.S. High School All-USA Hockey Second Team by USA Today. Named 2019 Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association All-State First Team.


College Hockey Career:

  • 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 106 games (2020-2024).
  • Saw limited playing time in the 2023-24 season, appearing in only 7 games. According to an article on BadgerExtra.com, “Stange missed the last 16 games of the season as either a healthy scratch or because of a lower-body injury he suffered.” 
  • Impressive academic career – majored in neurobiology at Wisconsin. Named Academic All-Big Ten in 2022-23 and 2023-24, and was the Ivan B. Williamson Scholastic Award recipient in 2022-23.

News articles:
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to play at Omaha for my fifth year. The chance to develop under this coaching staff and play in front of the Baxter faithful is something I could not pass up,” Stange said. “The top-notch facilities and resources available to us, along with a great locker room, is also something I’m very excited for. I’m grateful to be a Maverick and I can’t wait to get started.”


“Stange comes off the Red Wings’ reserve list Aug. 15, and this move suggests they aren’t going to sign him.” 


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

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Friday, April 12, 2024

Transfer Profile (2024): Forward Harrison Israels (Alaska ➡️ Omaha)

 

Senior Forward Harrison Israels 

Former School: Alaska (Nanooks) 

Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario

Birthday: Sept. 1, 1999

Height: 6' 1"

Weight: 200

Shoots: Left

Junior Hockey Career: 

  • Played with the Oakville Blades in the OJHL (2019-20). Scored 86 points (29 goals, 57 assists). Named the OJHL MVP.
  • In two seasons with the Blades, he recorded a total of 134 points (27 goals and 21 assists for 48 points in 2018-19).

College Hockey Career:

  • 53 points (33 goals, 20 assists) in 96 games (2021-2024).
  • Finished the 2023-24 season third in scoring with 26 points (20 goals, 6 assists).
  • Solid on special teams  – scored eight power play goals and 3 short-handed goals.
  • Impressive in face-offs: won 355 face-offs (.583 FO win percentage, a team-high)
  • Personal bests: 3 points in a game (Jan. 26, 2024 vs. LIU); hat trick (Jan. 26, 2024, first career hat trick, Alaska vs. Stonehill)
  • Scored two goals in a single game five separate times.
  • Appeared in 33 of 34 games for the Nanooks in 2023-24.
  • Finished with a +10 plus/minus rating.
  • Captain for the Nanooks (2022-23 and 2023-24)


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

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Transfer Profile (2024): Forward Brady Risk (Alaska ➡️ Omaha)

 

Senior Forward Brady Risk

Former School: Alaska (Nanooks) 

Hometown: Medicine Hat, Alberta

Birthday: March 16, 1999

Height: 5' 9"

Weight: 175

Shoots: Right

Junior Hockey Career: 

  • Played with the Drumheller Dragons “A” of the AJHL in 2019-20. Scored 36 goals with 27 assists in 54 games.
  • In three previous seasons with the Dragons, he recorded 101 points (14 points in 2016-17, 33 points in 2017-18, and 54 points in 2018-19).

College Hockey Career:

  • 80 points (36 goals, 44 assists) in 97 games (2021-2024).
  • Finished the 2023-24 season with 13 goals and 20 assists (33 points). 
  • Personal bests: 4 points in a game (twice, most recently March 6, 2024 vs. Stonehill); hat trick (Jan. 7, 2022, Alaska vs. Maine)
  • Scored two or more points in a game 10 times in the 2023-24 season.
  • Finished the year with a +5 plus/minus rating
  • Alternate captain for the Nanooks (2023-24)


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

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Saturday, March 30, 2024

Mavs on the Move 2023-24 | Portal Moves, Pro Signings, Incoming Recruits


With the season ending, it’s time for the “Mavs on the Move” player watch...


Incoming Mavericks (from the transfer portal):

  • Brady Risk, transfer from Alaska. He was the team’s leading scorer with 13 goals and 20 assists. He was also an alternate captain for the Nanooks last year.
  • Harrison Israels, transfer from Alaska. He was captain of the 23-24 Nanooks and led the team in goals last season (with 20). 
  • Sam Stange, transfer from Wisconsin. He played four years for Wisconsin, but saw limited playing time during the 2023-24 season. He has 13 goals and 16 assists over his college career.
  • Garrett Pinoniemi (PIN-uh-KNEE-me), transfer from Minnesota. A sophomore during the 2023-24 season, he appeared in 35 games, finishing the season with one goal and two assists.
  • Dylan Gratton, transfer from Penn State. A sophomore defenseman during the 2023-24 season, he appeared in 36 games for the Nittany Lions, and had 3 goals and 10 assists. 


Mavericks in the transfer portal:


Players who have exhausted their playing eligibility include:


Seniors with eligibility remaining (due to COVID year):


Mavericks going pro:

  • Junior forward Ty Mueller signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks (NHL). 

  • Fifth year forward  Jack Randl signed with the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL).
  • Senior forward Matt Miller signed with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL). 
  • Fifth year forward Nolan Sullivan signed with the Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL). 
  • Fifth year goaltender Seth Eisele signed with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL). 
  • Fifth year forward Jesse Lansdell signed with the Florida Everglades (ECHL). 

  • Junior defenseman Victor Mancini signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the New York Rangers (NHL). 


>> Information updated as of 9:39 a.m. on 4/18/2024.

We will update this blog post as we hear of more “Mavs on the Move.” 

>> In addition to this ongoing blog post, be sure to follow us on Twitter/X for all the updates as they happen – click here!


Below is the Omaha Hockey team’s final lineup for the NCAA tournament game against Minnesota at the Sioux Falls Regional. Emojis have been placed over players whose eligibility has expired, entered the transfer portal, signed on with a team to play professional hockey, and seniors who have an extra year of eligibility (due to the COVID season in 2020-21). 

Key: 


👋 - Eligibility expired 

💰 - NHL 

💸 - Minor league

🤷‍♀️ - Eligibility left, but… 

🏒 - Returning for 2024-25 

🪽 - Transfer portal 
















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Thursday, March 28, 2024

NCAA Tournament: Omaha vs. Minnesota in Sioux Falls


Omaha has advanced to the NCAA tournament for the fifth time in program history. Previous appearances include:

  • 2006 (Worcester, Massachusetts). Boston University beat Omaha 9-2.
  • 2012 (St. Louis, Missouri). Michigan defeated Omaha 3-2 in overtime. 
  • 2015 (South Bend, Indiana). Omaha beat Harvard 4-1 and then beat RIT 4-0 to advance to the program’s first-ever (and only) Frozen Four appearance.
  • 2021 (Loveland, Colorado). Minnesota defeated Omaha 7-2.

Omaha (23-12-4) will face Minnesota (22-10-5) again in a NCAA regional for the first time since that 2021 loss. The Mavericks are the host school for the Sioux Falls regional, having successfully bid to host both the 2024 and 2026 regionals.

Omaha is coming off its first-ever appearance in a NCHC conference tournament. Omaha upset North Dakota 6-3 in the Friday semi-final before losing to Denver 4-1 in the conference final. 

Minnesota swept Penn State in the Big 10 conference tournament but lost to Michigan 2-1 on March 16. The Gophers haven’t played a game in almost two weeks. Minnesota is coached by former SCSU head coach Bob Motzko who is in his sixth season with the program.

Minnesota advanced to the 2023 Frozen Four, beating Boston University 6-2 before losing to Quinnipiac 3-2 in overtime in the championship game.

Series preview articles:

Omavs.com:

Minnesota Hockey:

Omaha.com ($)
When:
> Thursday, 7:30 p.m. CT at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center (Sioux Falls, SD)
> (With a win, Omaha would play in the regional final game on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. CT at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls.)

Radio:
Both games will be broadcast live on 1290 AM and on The Varsity Network app. Pre-game coverage begins 30 minutes prior to face-off with the FNBO Pre-Game Show. “Voice of the Mavs” Mike Vaillancourt will have the play-by-play, with color commentary provided by Terry Leahy.

TV:
ESPNU and ESPN+ (streaming)
Also available on TSN+ in Canada.

Watch Party:
The UNO Alumni Association is doing a watch party at Aksarben Cinema. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Details here.

Live Stats:
Live stats can be found here. 


In the 40-minute 21st episode of the sixth season of the MavPuckCast, Jon and Jason discuss the Omaha Maverick Hockey team’s first-ever appearance in the NCHC Frozen Faceoff, take a look at “Things You Missed in St. Paul,” show highlights from the Selection Sunday event, and preview the NCAA regionals In Sioux Falls.


Next up: Omaha’s season is on the line. Win tonight and advance to Saturday’s regional championship game. Lose and the season is over.


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