Omaha hockey head coach Mike Gabinet announced the program's leadership group for the 2024-25 season. Graduate student defenseman Nolan Krenzen will don the “C” as the 25th captain in program history. Krenzen, the inaugural recipient of the Menke Family Captain’s Scholarship, will be joined by graduate student forward Harrison Israels (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada/Alaska Fairbanks), junior defenseman Griffin Ludtke (Elko, Minn./Sioux City) and graduate student forward Sam Stange (Eau Claire, Wis./Wisconsin) to round-out the Mavericks' leadership group.
“Nolan Krenzen and our entire leadership group have earned this honor and responsibility,” said head coach Mike Gabinet. “With their actions, encouraging words and play on the ice, I have no doubt this group will do a remarkable job and continue to set the standard of what it means to wear an Omaha sweater and represent our program. This group epitomizes our Maverick mindset, core values as a program and will play a huge role in achieving our goals for the season.”
Krenzen scored two goals in 40 games last season for Omaha. The blueliner notched eight assists for 10 points with 27 total shots. Krenzen has appeared in 125 games for Omaha over the past four seasons and has been named to the NCHC Academic All-Conference and a Distinguished Scholar three times in his career.
A newcomer to Omaha this season, Israels was the leading goalscorer for Alaska Fairbanks last season, lighting the lamp 20 times in 2023-24. Playing in 33 of the 34 Fairbanks contests, he was tied for second on the team in points with 27. The centerman closed out the season on a five-game point streak where he produced four goals and added one assist. Israels served as the Nanooks’ captain for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.
Ludtke returns to Omaha for his third season as a Maverick. He scored four goals for the Mavericks last season in 40 games played. The Elko, Minn. native recorded 23 helpers for 27 points with one game-winning score and one goal on the man-advantage.
A 2020 NHL fourth round draft pick, Sam Stange joins the Mavericks this season after totaling 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points at Wisconsin. Stange has three multi-point games under his belt including a two-goal performance against Penn State his freshman season. During his junior campaign, he logged points in four of five contests against Michigan, Minnesota and Lake Superior State.
The Mavericks had a complete turnover of team leadership after the 2023-24 season as Captain Nolan Sullivan and Assistant Captain Jack Randl completed their eligibility and Assistant Captain Matt Miller departed the team to pursue a professional hockey career.
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