Photo courtesy of Omaha Athletics
By Bridget (Weide) Brooks
Jake Guentzel will become the first player in Omaha Athletics history to have his jersey retired. The former Maverick helped Omaha reach its first Frozen Four in 2015 and went on to become a Stanley Cup champion and 2026 Olympic gold medalist.
The jersey retirement ceremony will take place Friday, Nov. 6, at Baxter Arena during Omaha’s game against St. Cloud State. Guentzel will also be inducted into the Omaha Athletics Hall of Fame that weekend, along with former Omaha Hockey head coach Mike Kemp, football player Chris Cooper, and track and field athlete Anastasia Kyvelidou.
Guentzel, who wore No. 20 for the Mavericks from 2013-16, played 108 games for Omaha, recording 40 goals and 79 assists for 119 points. He led the team in scoring during his sophomore and junior seasons and became the 14th player in program history to reach 100 career points.
As a sophomore in 2014-15, Guentzel recorded 39 points (14 goals, 25 assists), helping the Mavericks advance to their first NCAA Frozen Four. He scored Omaha’s only goal in the national semifinal against Providence, a 4-1 loss that ended the Mavericks’ season.
Guentzel returned for his junior season in 2015-16 and served as co-team captain. He finished that season with 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) in 35 games, earning second-team All-NCHC honors before leaving Omaha to begin his professional career.
A Family Hockey Connection
Guentzel was born in Omaha while his father, Mike Guentzel, was head coach and general manager of the Omaha Lancers. The family moved to Woodbury, Minnesota when Mike returned to his alma mater the University of Minnesota as an assistant coach. His father, Mike Guentzel, was hired as an assistant coach at Omaha during the 2010-11 season before returning to Minnesota as an assistant from 2011-2018.
Jake’s two older brothers also played college hockey. Ryan played at Notre Dame, while Gabe played at Colorado College.
Before arriving at Omaha, Jake played one season for the Sioux City Musketeers, where he was named the 2012-13 USHL Rookie of the Year after recording 73 points (29 goals, 44 assists). He was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third round of the 2013 NHL Draft, 77th overall, before beginning his college career that fall.
The Omaha connection extends to his wife, Natalie, who played soccer for the Mavericks. Jake returned to complete his undergraduate degree, graduating from Omaha in December 2017.
Before arriving at Omaha, Jake played one season for the Sioux City Musketeers, where he was named the 2012-13 USHL Rookie of the Year after recording 73 points (29 goals, 44 assists). He was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third round of the 2013 NHL Draft, 77th overall, before beginning his college career that fall.
The Omaha connection extends to his wife, Natalie, who played soccer for the Mavericks. Jake returned to complete his undergraduate degree, graduating from Omaha in December 2017.
Remembering the 2015 Frozen Four
Following Omaha’s first Frozen Four appearance in 2015, the Omaha Storm Chasers hosted a “Salute to UNO Hockey” night at Werner Park. The Mavericks were recognized on the field and signed autographs for fans.
I attended the event and wrote about it in a blog post titled “Why’d They Put the Ginger in the Sun?”, which includes photos from the celebration.
From Omaha to the NHL and Olympics
Guentzel made his NHL debut with Pittsburgh on Nov. 21, 2016, against the New York Rangers. He scored on his first shift and added another goal later in the game.
His rookie season ended with a Stanley Cup championship. Guentzel scored 13 goals and added eight assists during Pittsburgh’s 2017 playoff run, including the game-winning goals in Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against Nashville.
He spent parts of eight seasons with the Penguins before being traded to Carolina in March 2024. After finishing that season with the Hurricanes, he joined the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he recorded 85 points (37 goals, 48 assists) in 81 games during the 2025-26 season.
Guentzel added an Olympic gold medal to his accomplishments in February 2026, when Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime at the Milano Cortina Winter Games. It was the first Olympic gold medal for the U.S. men's hockey team since 1980.
Guentzel played in all six games for the Americans, recording one goal.
Following Omaha’s first Frozen Four appearance in 2015, the Omaha Storm Chasers hosted a “Salute to UNO Hockey” night at Werner Park. The Mavericks were recognized on the field and signed autographs for fans.
I attended the event and wrote about it in a blog post titled “Why’d They Put the Ginger in the Sun?”, which includes photos from the celebration.
From Omaha to the NHL and Olympics
Guentzel made his NHL debut with Pittsburgh on Nov. 21, 2016, against the New York Rangers. He scored on his first shift and added another goal later in the game.
His rookie season ended with a Stanley Cup championship. Guentzel scored 13 goals and added eight assists during Pittsburgh’s 2017 playoff run, including the game-winning goals in Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against Nashville.
He spent parts of eight seasons with the Penguins before being traded to Carolina in March 2024. After finishing that season with the Hurricanes, he joined the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he recorded 85 points (37 goals, 48 assists) in 81 games during the 2025-26 season.
Guentzel added an Olympic gold medal to his accomplishments in February 2026, when Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime at the Milano Cortina Winter Games. It was the first Olympic gold medal for the U.S. men's hockey team since 1980.
Guentzel played in all six games for the Americans, recording one goal.
First a Bobblehead, Now a Jersey Retirement
Omaha Hockey fans celebrated Guentzel earlier this year with another program first.
On Jan. 9, 2026, the Mavericks gave away 3,000 Jake Guentzel bobbleheads, presented by Vance Thompson Vision, during a game against St. Cloud State. It was the first player bobblehead giveaway in Omaha Hockey history.
I have one of those bobbleheads.
The opponent for Guentzel’s jersey retirement on Nov. 6 is also St. Cloud State.
Omaha Hockey fans celebrated Guentzel earlier this year with another program first.
On Jan. 9, 2026, the Mavericks gave away 3,000 Jake Guentzel bobbleheads, presented by Vance Thompson Vision, during a game against St. Cloud State. It was the first player bobblehead giveaway in Omaha Hockey history.
I have one of those bobbleheads.
Photo courtesy of Omaha Athletics
The opponent for Guentzel’s jersey retirement on Nov. 6 is also St. Cloud State.
Guentzel and Kemp Among Hall of Fame Honorees
Guentzel’s jersey retirement is part of Omaha Athletics’ 2026 Hall of Fame weekend. The four inductees will be recognized during Friday’s hockey game, with the formal induction taking place Saturday, Nov. 7, at the UNO Alumni Association’s Honors Brunch at the Thompson Alumni Center.
Mike Kemp, who was Omaha’s first hockey head coach and led the program from 1997-2009, will be inducted alongside Guentzel.
“It was great to hear that Jake Guentzel is having his jersey retired. With what Jake accomplished as a student-athlete, and now as a professional and Olympian, no one is more deserving of this honor,” Kemp said in the university's announcement.
Current Omaha head coach Mike Gabinet also commented on Guentzel’s place in program history.
“Jake is an important part of the history of Omaha Hockey, and having his jersey retired is a special moment for our program,” Gabinet said.
Guentzel expressed his appreciation for the honor and his years at Omaha.
“Omaha means a lot to me and my family. Some of my best memories are from my time there, both on and off the ice,” Guentzel said. “Having my jersey retired is pretty special, and I’m really grateful for the honor and everyone who was part of those years.”
Guentzel’s jersey retirement is part of Omaha Athletics’ 2026 Hall of Fame weekend. The four inductees will be recognized during Friday’s hockey game, with the formal induction taking place Saturday, Nov. 7, at the UNO Alumni Association’s Honors Brunch at the Thompson Alumni Center.
Mike Kemp, who was Omaha’s first hockey head coach and led the program from 1997-2009, will be inducted alongside Guentzel.
“It was great to hear that Jake Guentzel is having his jersey retired. With what Jake accomplished as a student-athlete, and now as a professional and Olympian, no one is more deserving of this honor,” Kemp said in the university's announcement.
Current Omaha head coach Mike Gabinet also commented on Guentzel’s place in program history.
“Jake is an important part of the history of Omaha Hockey, and having his jersey retired is a special moment for our program,” Gabinet said.
Guentzel expressed his appreciation for the honor and his years at Omaha.
“Omaha means a lot to me and my family. Some of my best memories are from my time there, both on and off the ice,” Guentzel said. “Having my jersey retired is pretty special, and I’m really grateful for the honor and everyone who was part of those years.”
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