Omaha Hockey Press Conference: Forward Logan Wormald and Coach Mike Gabinet (Oct. 28, 2026)
Jordan McAlpine
Alright, Logan, you guys head out to Denver this weekend. Just, uh, what do you know about the Pioneers?
Yeah, obviously coming off a championship last, last year. I mean, it's my first time playing them, but I'm obviously expecting our hardest challenge yet. (We) watched a little bit of video and, I mean, here and there throughout the throughout the week. So, obviously expecting a, a highly, highly paced team and, one that wants to strike in transition. So, yeah, we're working on some things this week that can transfer along to the games this weekend.
Walk us back to last weekend, Logan, when you scored a goal. Walk us through how that went and how that felt for you.
Yeah, obviously amazing. (It) felt like a long time coming since we've been here and (I’ve) been kind of itching to get the game started. So, yeah, that first weekend was kind of just a, a little feel of how it's going to be for the rest of the year. And, we felt that with Augustana. So, yeah, we wanted to come back next week and, in Lindenwood and, take that sweep and, and get things started. So, yeah, obviously the goal felt really good — and hopefully more to come.
Logan, how do you feel like this group has meshed together so far this year?
Yeah, really good. A lot of us have played together in, in the Western Hockey League and, against each other and whatnot. So I feel like kind of the moment we got here, it was it was pretty easy to mesh with, with other guys. And, yeah, I feel like guys — some older guys — have been making it feel like home for some of us younger, younger players. So, yeah, it's been amazing so far and been talking about our, our kind of blueprint here and, how that's been. And I feel like we've been doing a good job at following that.
After four regular season games, what differences have you noticed between the WHL and NCAA play, especially with, like, time and space and speed?
Yeah, it's a man's game. It's a man's game, that's for sure. Obviously, obviously faster paced and, I feel like every, every team is so connected and coached super well. And I feel like it's, it's kind of hard to find weaknesses in, in team's games and those are kind of the little things throughout the week that you have to try, try and expose and pick at throughout weekend games. And, yeah, like I said, faster paced game, bigger players. So it's, it's been an adjustment, but something I'm getting used to.
What did you learn about this team, especially the last time out? You know, what did you learn about this team under pressure, erasing that two-goal deficit to Lindenwood, winning in overtime? I know it's still early on in the season, but to have those kinds of moments where you're up against the wall, you know, how do you feel this team responded?
Yeah, uh, like I like I said with that question a few questions ago, our culture blueprint, we kind of just all fell on that. And, we were kind of talking about that after the game that, you know, we felt like we were winning that game no matter what. We had a not-so-good second period and Gabs came in and talked to us and kind of the word throughout the room was that we're winning this game and, what do you know, we, we went out and did that. So, yeah, just the belief around the room is, is super high and doing our best not to turn on each other. I feel like that's, that's kind of a main thing for us is stick together. And that goes to kind of the, the meshing question that you asked. I feel like we're super tight-knit and can push each other through those those hard moments.
Not t belabor the preseason, but this team, you know, picked last in the preseason conference standings. Does that fire this team up at all? Does that mean anything to this team? And if it does, you know, what kind of momentum have you seen in this team, you know, taking that to heart, maybe playing with a bit of a chip on your shoulder?
Yeah, I feel like it's something you kind of notice at the start of the year. I feel like, you know, like those internet polls and everything, it's — sometimes they're hard to ignore. But I feel like our group took it took it super well and kind of I feel like we're taking that as a challenge that, you know, that many people had us had us ranked at the bottom and didn't really believe in us. But, yeah, like I said, we're taking that as a challenge and going to take that to heart and play with kind of that, that fuel and fire every weekend. So that's something we want to do.
You were a captain in Lethbridge and spent a lot of time on the ice, — lots of experience coming in. How is it coming in as a freshman here when you were such a veteran in the WHL?
Yeah, it's different. Uh, it's, I feel like I'm kind of going through it again with the Western Hockey League. I mean, obviously you come in at 16. It's, it's a lot different and it's kind of nice doing it this time, with it's kind of like the same thing, like I said. But, yeah, it's, like I said, it's been awesome. Guys have been super welcoming and the coaches have been amazing. Everybody's so easy, easy to talk to. And I feel like I've already learned so much about, you know, how the game goes and, how it's kind of the next step to, you know, the National Hockey League. And, I've seen that and now I'm, I'm starting to get used to that. And, but yeah, the experience has been awesome.
Building on that, what do you know now as a 21-year-old freshman that you didn't know when you were 16 — either about hockey or about life?
Yeah, I feel like, the change in pace, honestly. I feel like going to the Western Hockey League, it was kind of the same thing. So, yeah, you kind of get told about how good the league is here and, how nobody's nobody's a bad team. And, so yeah, that was something I picked up was, was how fast the, the game's going to change. And, I mean, like I said, every team's a great team. So, coming out there ready to go and preparing throughout the week is, is has been a big thing.
Oh, the seats warm here.
We'll just go right to questions.
Sure.
So, coach, you got your first two regular season wins and scored 11 goals. What did you like from the team this past weekend?
Yeah, I thought two, two good responses. Not easy games — had to come from behind on, on both games. And yeah, I really liked the resilience of the group to, to find a way to get two big wins on (the) road, against a team that split in all their series previously.
What do you feel like you've learned about this team so far this year?
I think that we're learning. I think, one of the things that's pretty clear is that, you know, they're learning how you got to play to be successful. I thought, again, I really liked our Friday, especially the last, you know, couple periods on Friday night — just how we played the game, how resilient we were, just the way we executed the game plan there.
And then on Saturday, I actually didn't mind our start. And then for about 20 minutes, we, we lost our identity there and, and they took advantage of it and then reestablished that in the third period. So again, you can tell — just even through the video and through the one-on-one meetings and, and talking with the players — you can understand they're, they're building that confidence, they're building that resiliency, they're, getting used to the level, how you have to play, shift in, shift out. Again, I told these guys, I don't envy — just like you heard (Logan Wormald) talk about — it's a it's a tough, tough environment to be successful and you have to bring it every single shift.
How excited is this group to get into NCHC play?
Yeah, I think so. I, I think again, I think everything's, everything's kind of new and fresh right now. So I think any weekend's a big weekend. And, and obviously — but when you're playing the defending national champions and, you know, getting into NCHC play — it ramps up even more. So, so again, you can tell it's been a focused week to practice there and we'll be ready to go for this weekend.
Talk to us about special teams. Obviously, they're important in Lindenwood and, uh, Denver's doing pretty well on their penalty kill this year. How do you see the special teams battle shaping up for this weekend?
Yeah, I think, you know, with some of our injuries we've had up front, I think special teams has been a huge factor of us being successful — against Lindenwood, right, helping find ways to score goals and, and obviously preventing them from scoring. But just to talk about the power play first, I thought we had a couple key power play goals in that series that really helped us come away with two big wins. And again, it's, it's so important when these games are so tight and, and bringing momentum and goals for your team and finding ways to score on special teams. And, and obviously the PK (penalty kill) has been great all season long here too. So, very important when you when you have a team that's got our makeup, you're going to be in a lot of tight hockey games and, and special teams is a key factor to being successful.
Is there an added level of hunger with this team entering league play — looking at where this team was ranked, you know, in those preseason conference polls? Is that are you guys up a little bit more to want to prove to some of those league opponents just who this team is?
Yeah, I think again, I think you maybe talk about it once and then you get to work and, and every weekend's a new opportunity to, to exactly prove to yourself, uh, how your development's coming along and, and to the league on how good a team you are. So absolutely, the guys will be excited to, to play against the, you know, defending national championships and team and be ready to go.
What has Parker Berge added to this program?
Yeah, I think he's been solid. I, I think obviously offensively we've seen his growth there offensively there, contributing to some offensive plays. And, and again, we just talked the other day. I think it's a really good environment for him to learn that kind of play without the puck too and just that defensive aspect of the game and, and just how important that is as well. So yeah, really excited to see his development.
He's such a good kid and, and just wants to learn and get better and, and takes coaching so well and asks questions. And again, I thought even Lindenwood, you could see his improvement from Augustana away from the puck and just those key decisions at the right times. And obviously when he has the puck on his stick, two goals already and made some really nice passes and has contributed offensively as well there too. So just a guy that's, uh, taking steps in the right direction.
One more with him individually. How interesting or, or maybe valuable is it, with the pro experience he has to be able to bring that into a locker room like this?
Yeah, I think even just talking to him about it too, it's, it's a different experience, right? You probably a little bit of a slower game, lot more games. So sometimes it's a little bit less intense per game, so to speak. And now you're coming to that environment where the game's played at a really high speed and very intense and every play matters. So it's been a really nice opportunity for him to be in that type of environment too, to continue to grow his game. Because he does so many things really well already and you can just see his growth and the things he wants to continue to get better at. And that's why I think this environment's a great opportunity for him to do just that.
Can you talk a little bit about Logan, who we just talked to? He has over 300 games of WHL experience under his belt — speaking of lots of experience. And obviously, like a lot of the guys comes in with some leadership experience being a team captain at Lethbridge. What does he bring to the team, and what do you like about his game through those first four games?
I really like his game. I think he's a really good hockey player, a really, really intelligent hockey player. He's competitive. He finds himself in the right spaces a lot of the time. He didn't get on the score sheet in the first few games. And if you just watch his development, if you watch closely or watch it back closely, he's a guy that just continues to make impacts in the right areas there. So I'm not surprised to see him get a goal this weekend — and played a lot of minutes for us this weekend. Just one of those guys you can kind of like 4-on-4, he can go power play, he can go penalty kill, he can go. And those intelligent players that play like that and really good experience through junior he's a really good player. I think he I don't know if he knows how good he can be too. I think he's going to be a guy that's just going to keep getting better and better.
Logan mentioned that you told the team when they were had that two-goal deficit against Lindenwood last time out, you said you told the team something along the lines of, you know, we are winning this game, we're not losing this game.
Yeah.
What does it mean to you as a coach to see this team take ownership and finish it out the way they did?
I'm glad he structured my words properly there. And to me, I, I just I didn't like our 20 minutes there in Lindenwood on Saturday. And to me, that's not part of our identity. That's not who we are. And, and we need to play a certain way to be successful. And, and I just said we're, we're doing it. You know, this is part of who we are. This is how we're going to play. This is what we're going to do. And, and I know they believe in it too. And, and then it's about doing it. And, and they did just that. So, again, just a really resilient (team) — it's not easy to come from behind. It's, it's not easy to chase a game. And, and again, I think you're starting to see that makeup of that character in that locker room that, that just kind of refused to lose a little bit there and, and just go out and find a way to win a game.
Big news yesterday with the (Jake) Guenztel jersey retirement coming up. Uh, how exciting is that for the program and what's he mean to this place?
Yeah, again, I think he's obviously probably our most notable, you know, NHL player that's come through the program there. And just obviously the success he had here during his time here, what he's gone on to do at NHL level is very impressive at the Olympic level as well now. It's tremendous, you know, right? And a guy that's from here, married a girl that played soccer here. So kind of a neat story just about … born in Omaha. I know he grew up in Minnesota, but has some roots here. And, and I know he gets back here when he can in the summertime too, to spend some time here. And just a great role model for guys coming through the program and what's possible. Wasn't, you know, was obviously a very, very good hockey player all throughout his life, but wasn't that first-round draft pick that just a surefire NHL player — had his earn his way, uh, you know — to be an elite college player, earn his way to be an elite NHL player. And, and those are great examples for guys that come through our program to, to model themselves after.
Do you have a do you have a favorite moment from Jake? I know he's found success at all levels, so it may be hard to pick one, but what comes to mind?
I just think for, for, for me, when I first got here, he came to practice with us one time and just it was pretty unbelievable instantaneously just to see his hockey IQ and just the way he thinks (about) the game, even in a one, one-hour practice. You know, he's one of the smartest players I've seen on the ice. And, and obviously that's carried over to every level he's played at. So, pretty, pretty special for him. And, and obviously I think winning a gold medal, uh, for your country is pretty neat too. So, there's lots of things you can reflect back on as positives, but, you know, I think those are probably my top two just thinking about him that come to mind.
You mentioned that IQ, you know — what else about just Jake's character, obviously his physical ability — but what has allowed him to become the player that he has, you know, on and off the rink, you know, to have the kind of success he's had? A lot of great players that we've seen come from this program, but Jake is the one you think of when you think of, you know, one of the best.
Yeah, I, I, you know, I can't speak for him, but I'm assuming his work ethic is second to none again, right? You don't — he wasn't gifted in an NHL job, you know, right off the bat. (He) had to earn it there. And, and just to see his growth, like whether it was in college or at the junior level or onto the professional ranks, just continues to climb the ladder every place he goes. And I think when you think the game at that level, you're intelligent and guys want to play with you too, right? And then he's been fortunate to play (with) some really good players, uh, not by accident. That's because of how he plays the game and what he does on a consistent basic there.
So yeah, just a tremendous individual, tremendous hockey player. And, and it's, it's nice we can honor him here in, in Omaha.
Going back to the Denver series, what is it going to take to be successful against that team this weekend?
Yeah, without getting into too much, you know, maybe game plan-ish discussion, the guys know what you need to do to be successful against a team like that. Obviously, (they are an) ultra-talented team with the with all the draft picks and all the high-quality players that they have, you have to decide where you want to give them the puck. That's, that's step number one. And then just again, playing to your identity and strengths and making sure you make it hard on them too. And ultimately too, some of the non-structural stuff too, like how you how you play the game, how your behaviors are, your compete, your willingness to get in the hard lanes, the track, the reloads, the smart changes, the discipline, staying out of the penalty box. Like there's a lot of stuff in hockey that's structural and there's just as much stuff that's non-structural and just how you behave during that structure that ultimately determines whether you win or lose the game. And there's a 50/50 puck battle. One guy wins it, you know, so how many of those can you win?
You mentioned missing some guys up front. Do you have an update for us on any of the guys for this weekend?
Yeah, we're getting hit hard by the injury bug right now, I'll tell you. Yeah, every, every healthy forward played against Lindenwood and, and so we're missing some key people, but (it’s) also early in the year and nice to see an opportunity for other guys that, that want that time. And again, it's a little bit of evaluation too, you know, for guys that, you got to play a certain way to be successful with our program and, and in this in this league and this conference. And, and guys are having that opportunity now. So it's a really good opportunity for guys to, to — and even some of those behavioral things we just talked about to do, you know, you got to do it. And, but unfortunately, yeah, just still some guys banged up and the lineup's going to be a little bit depleted here. But hey, like I said, next man up and, and opportunity for some of those guys that've been wanting an opportunity to go grab it.
Awesome. Okay. Thanks, guys.
Thank you.
Thanks, guys. Okay. Thanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment