By Bridget (Weide) Brooks
Another Maverick is heading to the pro ranks.
Former Omaha forward Jacob Slipec has signed with the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL, taking the next step in a hockey career built on work ethic and grit.
Slipec wrapped up his Omaha career with 124 games played over four seasons, finishing with 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points. In his senior season, Slipec recorded four goals and three assists for seven points while continuing to carve out an important role in Omaha’s lineup.
The stats tell part of the story. The rest of it was the way “Slippy” played.
He was the kind of player who embraced the hard areas of the game. The kind who could bring energy, frustrate opponents, kill penalties, and make life miserable for the other team in a way that doesn’t always show up fully on the scoresheet. He took clear pride in that part of his identity as a player, once describing his role in simple terms: be hard to play against, be reliable, and make sure opponents notice when No. 13 is on the ice.
That edge became a big part of what made him valuable.
“Jacob is a great example of hard work and dedication,” Omaha head coach Mike Gabinet said in the school’s news release. “It has been great to see his development over the last four years. We wish him all the best as he turns pro.”
Slipec earned his spot in the lineup.
He broke in as a freshman in 2022-23 and made an immediate impact, scoring five goals and finishing with nine points in 28 games. Over the next three seasons, he continued to develop into a trusted depth piece and energy forward, eventually earning penalty-kill responsibilities in his junior season and becoming the kind of player coaches trust and teammates love having on their line.
And if you ever heard Slipec talk about his game, it was obvious he understood exactly who he was.
He wasn’t trying to be a highlight-reel player. He wanted to be dependable. Hard-working. Annoying to play against. The guy who could shift momentum with a forecheck, a blocked shot, a smart penalty kill, or a timely goal. That self-awareness (and willingness to fully lean into that role) said a lot about why he lasted four years in college hockey and why he’s now getting a pro opportunity.
Slipec also stood out for how much Omaha clearly meant to him.
When he joined the MavPuckCast last season, he talked about falling in love with the culture of the program on his first visit — not just the rink and the coaching staff, but the people around the team and the way Omaha embraced its players. He spoke with real appreciation for the fans, the atmosphere at Baxter Arena, and the community he found here over the course of his college career.
Now, he’ll head to Adirondack and begin the next chapter with the Thunder, who announced the signing Thursday. The White Rock, British Columbia native joins the ECHL after finishing his collegiate career with 48 penalty minutes, one short-handed goal, and one game-winner.
For Omaha fans, Slipec will be remembered as one of those players who may not always have grabbed the headlines, but absolutely made his presence felt.
