Why Omaha — Not Augustana — Is the Host School for the Sioux Falls Regional

Photo courtesy of Omaha Athletics

By Bridget (Weide) Brooks

If you’ve looked at this weekend’s NCAA Regional in Sioux Falls and wondered:

“Why is Omaha the host school… when Augustana is literally in Sioux Falls?”

Here’s the answer.

It Started With a Bid (Back in 2020)
Omaha didn’t “get chosen” recently.

The Mavericks earned the right to host this regional years ago.

In October 2020, the NCAA awarded Omaha Athletics the opportunity to host regionals in both 2024 and 2026, in partnership with the Sioux Falls Sports Authority.

At the time, this was a forward-looking bid as part of a multi-year championship site selection process.

And here’s the key detail: Augustana didn’t have a Division I hockey program yet. Their program didn’t begin play until the 2023-24 season.

When this bid was submitted and approved, Augustana wasn’t in the picture yet. So Omaha submitted the bid as the host institution.

What “Host School” Actually Means
This is where there are some misunderstandings.

Being the “host school” doesn’t mean the games are played on your campus. In fact, it’s pretty rare in college hockey — most regionals are held at neutral-site arenas that can handle the size, production, and NCAA requirements.

The host school is responsible for organizing and administering the event alongside the local organizing committee.

That includes working with the NCAA on operations, coordinating logistics and staffing, and supporting media, teams, and game-day execution.

The NCAA requires a member institution to serve in that role for every championship event.

In this case, that’s Omaha — partnered with the Sioux Falls Sports Authority.

Why Sioux Falls Works as a Site
Even though Omaha is the host institution, Sioux Falls is the host city — and the games are played at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.

The Denny Sanford Premier Center seats over 10,000 for hockey. It’s where the Sioux Falls Stampede plays. The arena previously hosted an NCAA Regional in 2018.

When Omaha considered making a bid, there was already proof that the arena worked for a regional and that the city and Sioux Falls Sports Commission supported the event.

Why 2028 Is Different
Fast forward a few years, and now Augustana hockey exists. Which is why it’s unlikely Omaha will serve as the host in Sioux Falls again. 

Augustana will serve as the host institution for the 2028 regional in Sioux Falls — at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.

So it’s not that Sioux Falls or the NCAA “chose Omaha over Augustana.”

Augustana as a Division I program didn’t exist in 2020 when the bid was submitted. Now that they’re established, they will host a future regional (2028).

One Important Benefit for Host Schools

Some fans wondered why a team would choose to submit a bid to host.

There’s a competitive upside tied to hosting.

If Omaha qualifies for the NCAA Tournament, the host institution is placed in its assigned regional — meaning you get sent to your site.

It was an advantage for Omaha in 2024, when making the NCAA Tournament meant a trip to Sioux Falls instead of an arena out east.

It’s too bad Omaha didn’t make the tournament this year, or I’d be writing this from a hotel in Sioux Falls instead of my living room couch.

If you want to learn more, check out the NCAA Site Selection Process guide. 

Previous Omaha NCAA Tournament regional appearances:

2006 – Worcester, MA

2011 – St. Louis, MO

2015 – South Bend, IN

2021 – Loveland, CO

2024 – Sioux Falls, SD (Omaha was the host)

#Oldbull Jacob Slipec Signs Pro Contract with Adirondack Thunder

Graphic courtesy of the Adirondack Thunder; photo by Emma Goldstein

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.

#Oldbull Griffin Ludtke Signs Pro Contract with Cincinnati Cyclones

By Bridget (Weide) Brooks

Another Maverick is heading to the pro ranks.

Former Omaha defenseman and Menke Family Co-Captain Griffin Ludtke has signed his first professional contract with the Cincinnati Cyclones, joining the ECHL club for the remainder of the season.

It’s the next step for one of Omaha’s most steady and trusted blueliners over the past four years.

Ludtke leaves Omaha having appeared in 126 career games, finishing with 57 points (6 goals, 51 assists). 

In his final season, he continued to play a key role on the blue line.

This year, Ludtke led Omaha in assists with 17 and finished with a +5 rating.

In 2023-24, he put together his most productive offensive season with 27 points (4 goals, 23 assists), showing he could contribute on both sides of the puck when needed.

What stands out about Ludtke’s time in Omaha isn’t just the stats — it’s the role he played inside the program.

Omaha head coach Mike Gabinet put it simply: “He has been a great ambassador and leader for the program both on and off the ice.”

Now, he heads to Cincinnati — a team that’s been active in adding young college talent late in the season.

Ludtke won’t be the only familiar NCAA name joining the Cyclones either. Recently, Kaidan Mbereko signed with Cincinnati as well.

For Ludtke, the transition should suit his game.

The pro level rewards defensemen who can think the game, move the puck efficiently, and stay reliable under pressure — all things he’s shown consistently at Omaha.

Before Omaha, Ludtke developed in the USHL with the Sioux City Musketeers, where he was part of a Clark Cup championship team and wore an “A” as an alternate captain.

That experience — combined with four years at Omaha — has him well positioned as he begins his professional career.

 

Mavs on the Move 2025-26 | Portal Moves, Pro Signings, Incoming Recruits

It’s that time of year … moving season!

With “preseason” upon us (“There is no offseason, only preseason,”) we’ll be tracking Mavericks leaving for the pro ranks, players going into the portal, and incoming Mavericks from the transfer portal. I’ll do a separate blog post for commits, since we don’t always know which season they’re coming in.

So here is your “Mavs on the Move” player watch...

Incoming Mavericks (from the transfer portal):

None yet. Portal opens April 13, 2026 and closes April 28, 2026. Graduating students may be eligible to enter the portal outside these dates, as are players whose head coach leaves their program.

Mavericks in the transfer portal:

None yet.

We will provide links to transfer portal trackers once they are up and running.

Players who have exhausted their playing eligibility include:

• Senior defenseman Griffin Ludtke (signed with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL on 3/19/26)
• Senior defenseman Jacob Guevin 
• Senior forward Sam Huo (signed an ATO with Tahoe Knight Monsters of the ECHL on 3/12/26)
• Senior forward Jacob Slipec (signed with the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL on 3/20/26 where yes, he is playing with #oldbull Brannon McManus)
• Senior forward Tyler Rollwagen 
• Senior forward Cam Mitchell (signed with the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL on 3/11/26), where yes, he is playing with #oldbull Kirby Proctor  
• Senior goaltender Simon Latkoczy (signed with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL on 3/25/26)

Mavericks going pro:

https://wichitathunder.com/news/2026/03/wichita-inks-college-forwards-best-mitchell

Welcome to Tahoe, Samuel Huo! 🎉

READ MORE ➡️ https://t.co/ZeCF3ZBaxi pic.twitter.com/SrkWBRzYil

— Tahoe Knight Monsters (@Knight_monsters) March 13, 2026

New guy on the blue line 🤝

🗞️ https://t.co/HRppaOKAQQ pic.twitter.com/UratnoUwpA

— Cincinnati Cyclones (@CincyCyclones) March 19, 2026

NEWS: We've signed forward Jacob Slipec! He played 124 games for @OmahaHKY!

Welcome to Adirondack, Jacob ⚡
Read more: https://t.co/LQPSQxAWl6 pic.twitter.com/ZxZdpJobdi

— Adirondack Thunder (@ECHLThunder) March 20, 2026

Today’s Swamp Rabbit Moving Transactions add two more to our ranks! Welcome Joe Prouty and Simon Latkoczy to the team!

Prouty turns professional off the blue line of Michigan Tech, while Latkoczy does so after minding the net of the University of Nebraska-Omaha.… pic.twitter.com/QbWKBommjh

— Greenville Swamp Rabbits (@SwampRabbits) March 25, 2026

>> Information updated as of 11:40 p.m. on 3/26/2026.

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!

#Oldbull Cam Mitchell Signs Pro Contract with Wichita Thunder

Graphic courtesy of the Wichita Thunder

 

A Maverick is heading to the professional ranks.

Former Omaha forward Cameron Mitchell has signed with the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL, the team announced Thursday, beginning the next chapter of his hockey career following four seasons with the Mavericks.

Mitchell appeared in 93 career games at Omaha, recording 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points during his time with the program. Known for his work ethic and steady presence in the lineup, the Stony Plain, Alberta native earned the respect of teammates and coaches alike while serving as an alternate captain during the 2025-26 season.

Head coach Mike Gabinet praised Mitchell’s approach to the game as he makes the jump to the professional level.

“So happy to see Cam move onto the pro level. He is a player that does the right things day in and day out,” Gabinet said. “He has a bright future and I am excited to watch him play.”

Mitchell’s most productive collegiate season came in 2024-25, when he posted eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 32 games. He also scored a pair of shorthanded goals that season and added a game-winning goal.

During his senior campaign in 2025-26, Mitchell recorded two goals and four assists for six points in 34 games while continuing to play an important role in Omaha’s forward group.

Now he begins his professional career with the Wichita Thunder, an ECHL club affiliated with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks and the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda.

The signing also reunites Mitchell with a familiar face from Omaha. Former Maverick defenseman Kirby Proctor, who played for the Mavericks from 2019-24, is currently on Wichita’s roster — giving the Thunder a pair of players with recent ties to the program.

Wichita announced Mitchell’s signing alongside forward Gavin Best as the team continues a lengthy road trip before returning home to INTRUST Bank Arena later this season.

For Mitchell, the move marks the next step after four years of development in the NCHC — and another Maverick alumnus continuing the program’s pipeline to professional hockey.

For more updates on former Maverick hockey players, check out this blog post:
#OldBulls Where Are They Now (March 2026) 

Another #OldBull Turns Pro: Samuel Huo Signs With Tahoe Knight Monsters

Graphic courtesy of Tahoe Knight Monsters; photo by Emma Goldstein, Omaha Athletics

Another Maverick is heading to the professional ranks.

Former Omaha forward Samuel Huo has signed an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO) with the Tahoe Knight Monsters of the ECHL, the team announced March 11. Tahoe is the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights and the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights.

Huo joins Tahoe after completing the 2025-26 season at Omaha, where the 6-foot-5 center recorded 16 points (7 goals, 9 assists) in 30 games for the Mavericks.

His final collegiate goal came in Omaha’s NCHC Quarterfinal series at North Dakota on March 6, when he scored in the Mavericks’ 5-3 Game 1 loss at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Tahoe announced that Huo will wear No. 26 and joined the team ahead of its St. Patrick’s Weekend series at Tahoe Blue Event Center.

A Unique Path to Omaha
Huo arrived in Omaha with a strong track record at the Canadian university level.

Before joining the Mavericks, he played four seasons at the University of British Columbia, totaling 106 points (46 goals, 60 assists) in 92 games. During that time, he helped UBC capture the 2024 U Sports (West) Championship and was named a USports (West) First-Team All-Star in 2023-24.

Internationally, Huo also earned gold with Team Canada at the FISU World University Winter Games in Torino, Italy.

Prior to his college career, the Richmond, British Columbia native played major junior hockey in the Western Hockey League with the Seattle Thunderbirds and Tri-City Americans.

Pro Opportunity
At 24 years old, Huo now gets his first opportunity at the professional level with Tahoe.

Amateur tryout agreements are a common path for players finishing their NCAA eligibility, allowing them to join a pro roster late in the season and gain experience while teams evaluate them for potential contracts.

For Huo, the move represents the next step in a hockey career that has already included junior, Canadian university hockey, NCAA competition, and international play.

Line Chart – Saturday, March 7, 2026 – Omaha vs. North Dakota (NCHC Quarterfinals in Grand Forks, ND)

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Omaha vs. North Dakota at Ralph Engelstad Arena (Grand Forks, ND)

Final: 5-1 North Dakota

Scoring for Omaha:

Maxime Pellerin