Gavin Hodnett Named NCHC Rookie of the Week (Nov. 2-8, 2026)

Freshman forward Gavin Hodnett

Photo Courtesy of Omaha Athletics

By Bridget (Weide) Brooks

Omaha Hockey freshman forward Gavin Hodnett has been named the KJ Branding NCHC Rookie of the Week for Nov. 2-8, 2026, following his two-goal performance against St. Cloud State at Baxter Arena.

The honor, announced Tuesday by the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), is the first weekly conference award of Hodnett’s collegiate career. Hodnett is also the first Maverick recognized with an NCHC weekly honor during the 2026-27 season.

Hodnett scored his first collegiate goal Friday night, tying the game 1-1 at 11:36 of the first period. Trevor Wong and Logan Wormald assisted on the goal. Omaha went on to earn a 2-2 overtime tie before winning the shootout in five rounds. Hodnett was named the game’s second star.

Saturday, Hodnett scored again in the first period, giving Omaha a 3-1 lead at 14:45. Wong and Wormald also assisted on that goal as the Mavericks went on to defeat the Huskies 5-3.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native finished the weekend with two goals, three shots on goal, two blocked shots, and a plus-3 rating. His two goals were also his first two collegiate points, giving him two points through six games this season.

Omaha earned five of six available NCHC standings points in the series.

Before joining the Mavericks, Hodnett played four-and-a-half seasons with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League, serving as team captain for his final two seasons.

Three Other Mavericks Nominated
Hodnett wasn’t the only Omaha player recognized in this week’s NCHC awards announcement. Three other Mavericks were nominated for NCHC weekly honors:

Sean Tschigerl — Forward of the Week: Tschigerl scored twice in Saturday’s 5-3 win, including the empty-net goal that secured the victory. He was named Saturday’s first star.

Ryan McCleary — Defenseman of the Week: McCleary scored in both games against St. Cloud State, recording his first two goals of the season. He was named Friday’s first star.

Will Lacelle — Goaltender of the Week: Lacelle made 65 saves in the two games, including 42 in Friday’s overtime tie. He also stopped all five St. Cloud State attempts in Friday’s shootout.

Other NCHC Weekly Honorees
The conference also recognized three other players for their performances during the week of Nov. 2-8:

Forward of the Week: Lucas Van Vliet, St. Thomas — Five goals and two assists in a weekend sweep of Alaska Anchorage.

Defenseman of the Week: Daxon Rudolph, Denver — Three goals, including the game-winning goals in both victories at Arizona State.

Goaltender of the Week: Johnny Hicks, Denver — Two wins against Arizona State, including a 28-save shutout in Sunday’s 1-0 overtime victory.

Hodnett and Van Vliet earned their first career NCHC weekly honors, while Rudolph and Hicks added to their previous conference awards.

Weekend Recap: Omaha Takes Five of Six NCHC Points Against St. Cloud State, Nov. 6-7, 2026

Photo courtesy of Omaha Athletics

By Bridget (Weide) Brooks

Omaha Hockey returned to Baxter Arena over the weekend for its first home NCHC series of the 2026-27 season, earning five of six conference points against St. Cloud State.

The Mavericks (3-4-1, 1-2-1 NCHC) battled the Huskies to a 2-2 overtime tie Friday before Logan Wormald scored the deciding goal in the fifth round of the shootout. Saturday, Omaha scored twice in the final four minutes to earn a 5-3 victory.

Friday’s game also featured a historic moment for the program, as Omaha retired Jake Guentzel’s No. 20 jersey — the first jersey retirement in Omaha Hockey history. The university also recognized its 2026 Athletics Hall of Fame class.

On the ice, Omaha got goals from four different players over the weekend, including the first two collegiate goals for freshman Gavin Hodnett. Ryan McCleary also scored in both games, while Sean Tschigerl recorded a two-goal performance Saturday.

Freshman goaltender William Lacelle started both games, making 65 saves over the weekend.

The Mavericks had to overcome special teams difficulties throughout the series. All five St. Cloud State goals came on the power play, but Omaha held the Huskies scoreless at even strength.

Friday: Omaha 2, St. Cloud State 2 (OT) — Omaha Wins Shootout
St. Cloud State opened the scoring just 1:49 into the first period when William Sharpe scored on the power play, assisted by Jake Southgate and Finn McLaughlin.

The Huskies controlled much of the opening period, outshooting Omaha 15-7.

Freshman Gavin Hodnett tied the game at 11:36 with his first collegiate goal. Trevor Wong and Logan Wormald assisted on the even-strength goal.

Omaha took its first lead at 12:31 of the second period when Ryan McCleary scored his first goal of the season, assisted by Marcus Nguyen and Parker Berge.

The Mavericks outshot St. Cloud State 18-10 in the second period, but couldn't extend their 2-1 advantage.

St. Cloud State tied the game at 8:26 of the third period on Finn McLaughlin’s power-play goal, with assists from Hayden Paupanekis and Noah Urness.

The Huskies outshot Omaha 17-6 in the third period, but Lacelle kept the game tied through regulation.

Neither team scored in the five-minute overtime period, sending the game to a shootout.

Both goaltenders stopped the first four attempts they faced. After Lacelle stopped Jamison Sluys in the fifth round, Wormald scored against Yan Shostak to give Omaha the shootout victory and the extra NCHC point.

Lacelle finished with 42 saves, including 16 in the third period. Shostak made 31 saves for St. Cloud State.

The Huskies outshot Omaha 44-33. St. Cloud State went 2-for-3 on the power play, while Omaha finished 0-for-2.

McCleary was named the game’s first star, followed by Hodnett and McLaughlin.

Saturday: Omaha 5, St. Cloud State 3
Omaha got off to a fast start Saturday, scoring twice in the first three minutes.

Tschigerl opened the scoring at 1:40 of the first period, assisted by Carter Sotheran and Maxime Pellerin.

Just 1:08 later, McCleary scored his second goal of the weekend to give Omaha a 2-0 lead. Nguyen and Wong assisted on the goal.

St. Cloud State answered on the power play at 6:24 when William Ahlrik scored to cut Omaha’s lead to 2-1.

Hodnett restored the Mavericks’ two-goal advantage at 14:45, scoring his second collegiate goal in as many nights. Wong and Wormald assisted, just as they had on Hodnett’s goal Friday.

Omaha led 3-1 after the first period, outshooting the Huskies 11-8.

St. Cloud State cut the deficit to one goal at 17:09 of the second period when Nolan Roed scored on the power play, assisted by Noah Urness and Thor Byfuglien.

The Huskies tied the game 3-3 at 9:08 of the third period on another power-play goal, this time from Carson Pilgrim.

With the game tied and less than four minutes remaining, Omaha finally got a power-play opportunity of its own.

Pellerin scored at 16:07, assisted by Luke Woodworth and Maël Lavigne, to give the Mavericks a 4-3 lead with 3:53 remaining.

Tschigerl added an empty-net goal at 18:25, assisted by Woodworth and captain Marc Lajoie, to seal the 5-3 victory.

Tschigerl finished with two goals, while Pellerin recorded a goal and an assist. Wong and Woodworth each had two assists.

Lacelle made 23 saves to earn the victory, while Shostak stopped 19 shots for St. Cloud State.

The Huskies outshot Omaha 26-24 and converted all three of their power-play opportunities. Omaha went 1-for-1 with the man advantage.

Tschigerl was named the game’s first star, followed by Pellerin and Pilgrim.

St. Cloud State Scores Five Power-Play Goals
St. Cloud State scored all five of its goals over the weekend on the power play.

The Huskies converted two of three opportunities Friday and went a perfect 3-for-3 Saturday, finishing the series 5-for-6 (83.3%).

Omaha, meanwhile, went 0-for-2 on the power play Friday before Pellerin scored the game-winning goal on the Mavericks’ only opportunity Saturday.

Omaha finished the weekend 1-for-3 (33.3%) with the man advantage.

Despite allowing five power-play goals, the Mavericks did not surrender an even-strength goal in either game.

Hodnett Scores in Consecutive Games
Freshman forward Gavin Hodnett entered the St. Cloud State series looking for his first collegiate goal.

He left the weekend with two.

Hodnett scored Omaha’s first goal Friday, tying the game 1-1 in the opening period. He followed with another first-period goal Saturday, giving the Mavericks a 3-1 lead.

Both goals came at even strength, and both were assisted by Trevor Wong and Logan Wormald.

Hodnett finished the weekend with two goals, three shots on goal, two blocked shots, and a combined plus-3 rating.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native joined Omaha this season after spending four-and-a-half years with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League. He served as Edmonton’s captain for his final two seasons and finished his WHL career with 227 points in 229 regular-season games.

Lacelle Makes 65 Saves
Freshman goaltender William Lacelle started both games against SCSU, facing 70 shots and making 65 saves across the two games.

Friday, Lacelle faced 44 shots, stopping 42 in the 2-2 overtime tie. He made 16 saves in the third period alone as St. Cloud State outshot Omaha 17-6.

He also stopped all five St. Cloud State attempts in the shootout.

Saturday, Lacelle made 23 saves on 26 shots to earn his second collegiate victory.

All five goals he allowed during the series came on St. Cloud State power plays.

By the Numbers

• Omaha earned five of six available NCHC points with Friday’s shootout victory and Saturday’s regulation win.
• St. Cloud State outshot Omaha 70-57 over the two games.
• The Huskies scored all five of their goals on the power play, finishing 5-for-6 (83.3%).
• Omaha went 1-for-3 (33.3%) on the power play, with Pellerin scoring Saturday’s game-winner.
• William Lacelle made 65 saves over the weekend, including 42 Friday.
• Gavin Hodnett scored his first two collegiate goals, one in each game.
• Ryan McCleary also scored in both games, recording his first two goals of the season.
• Sean Tschigerl scored twice Saturday, including an empty-net goal.
• Trevor Wong recorded three assists over the weekend, including assists on both Hodnett goals.
• Logan Wormald recorded two assists and scored the decisive fifth-round shootout goal Friday.
• Friday’s announced attendance was 6,449, while Saturday’s was 6,090.

Up Next
Omaha returns to the road this weekend for a two-game NCHC series against Miami University at Goggin Ice Center in Oxford, Ohio.

Friday’s game is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT, with Saturday’s finale set for 5:05 p.m. CT.

Meet the New Mavericks: Gavin Hodnett

No. 17, freshman forward Gavin Hodnett

Photo credit: Omaha Hockey

MavPuck is profiling the 11 newcomers on Omaha’s 2026-27 roster. Links to the previous profiles are at the bottom of the blog post.

Gavin Hodnett was 15 years old when he played his first game for the Edmonton Oil Kings.

By the time he left Edmonton four-and-a-half years later, he had won a WHL championship, served two seasons as captain and finished fifth in modern franchise history in scoring.

Now the 20-year-old forward is coming to Omaha.

Growing Up in Edmonton
Hodnett, a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was selected by Edmonton with the 19th overall pick in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

He made his WHL debut on Dec. 17, 2021, against the Swift Current Broncos and recorded an assist in his first game.

Hodnett appeared in six regular-season games that year and was part of the Oil Kings team that won the 2022 WHL Championship.

His first full season came in 2022-23. Edmonton won just 10 games, but Hodnett led the team in scoring with 43 points and was named the Oil Kings’ MVP, Top Rookie and Top Scorer.

Edmonton improved its win total in each of the next three seasons and returned to the playoffs in 2025 and 2026.

Captain at 18
Hodnett was named captain of the Oil Kings at 18 and wore the “C” for his final two seasons in Edmonton.

“One moment I’ll never forget is being named captain at 18 years old for the Oil Kings,” Hodnett wrote in a letter to Maverick fans after committing to Omaha. “I got to experience through it all a lot about leadership, responsibility, and putting the team first.”

In the same letter, Hodnett told Maverick fans, “I will bring the compete every night.”

Hodnett was Edmonton’s captain when the Oil Kings acquired fellow incoming Maverick Carter Sotheran from Portland in January 2026.

Leaving His Mark on the Record Book
Hodnett led the Oil Kings in scoring in back-to-back seasons, becoming one of only four players in franchise history to do it.

He finished his Edmonton career with 71 goals and 156 assists for 227 points in 229 regular-season games.

His 156 assists rank third in modern Oil Kings franchise history, while his 227 points rank fifth. He became the sixth player in franchise history to reach 200 points.

Hodnett also recorded 87 power-play points, including 63 assists.

On Nov. 18, 2022, Hodnett scored three goals and added two assists against the Brandon Wheat Kings. At 16 years and 223 days old, he became the youngest player in modern Oil Kings history at the time to record a hat trick.

It was also the first five-point game by a 16-year-old in modern franchise history. All three goals were the first of Hodnett’s WHL career.

What He Brings to Omaha
Hodnett comes to Omaha with 229 games of WHL regular-season experience and two seasons as captain of the Oil Kings.

He finished with nearly a point per game over his Edmonton career.

One Thing to Know
Hodnett grew up in Winnipeg and attended Winnipeg Jets development camp in both 2024 and 2025.

What We’ll Be Watching
Hodnett recorded 53 points in 41 games in his final season in Edmonton.

At 5-foot-8 and 161 pounds, he’s another of Omaha’s smaller forwards making the move from major junior hockey to the NCHC.

Gavin Hodnett at a Glance
Number: 17
Position: Forward
Class: Freshman
Height/Weight: 5-8 / 161
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Shoots: Left
Previous Team: Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Edmonton Career: 229 games, 71 goals, 156 assists, 227 points

Previous Meet the New Mavericks profiles: 

Aiden Oiring 

Logan Wormald🪱 

Jayden Jubenvill 

Recruit Profile: Gavin Hodnett (Edmonton Oil Kings)

Source: Instagram via College Puck NXT

Gavin Hodnett — a forward from Winnipeg, Manitoba — announced his commitment to the University of Nebraska Omaha Hockey program on April 20, 2026. Hodnett is expected to join Omaha for the 2026-27 season.

Hodnett, a left-shot winger, comes to Omaha after a five-year career with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he developed into one of the most productive players in recent franchise history.

Originally selected 19th overall by Edmonton in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Hodnett made his WHL debut as a 15-year-old during the Oil Kings’ 2021-22 championship season, appearing in five regular-season games and earning a WHL title ring that year. 

Over the next four seasons, Hodnett became a central piece of the Oil Kings’ lineup. He played 229 career regular-season games, recording 71 goals and 156 assists for 227 points. Those totals rank among the best in franchise history, including third all-time in assists and fifth in points. 

Hodnett’s offensive progression year-over-year:

2022-23: 43 points (12 goals, 31 assists) in 61 games

2023-24: 70 points (23 goals, 47 assists) in 61 games
2024-25: 62 points (24 goals, 38 assists) in 61 games
2025-26: 50 points (12 goals, 38 assists) in 41 games

His 70-point season in 2023-24 (1.15 points per game) came on a rebuilding Oil Kings team and highlighted his ability to generate offense even without a deep supporting cast. 

Hodnett served as captain of the Oil Kings for the past two seasons (2024-25 and 2025-26), a role that speaks to both his on-ice production and his leadership within the organization. 

“I think it was just… I felt a lot more comfortable… and that’s credit to the guys that we had in the room. I think I got to learn a lot of lessons… just learning how to be a leader away from the ice,” Hodnett said following the Oil Kings’ final game of the season.

Despite dealing with injuries during the 2025-26 season — including missing significant time early with a lower-body injury and later dealing with an upper-body injury before returning for the playoffs — Hodnett still finished with 50 points in 41 games and appeared in four postseason contests.

In those playoffs, he returned earlier than expected and made an impact both on and off the ice, emphasizing leadership even when not at full strength.

“I was ready to go… just tried to provide a spark for our team and be a leader for guys on the bench,” Hodnett said.

From a scouting perspective, Hodnett is viewed as a high-IQ, playmaking forward. The Elite Prospects 2024 NHL Draft Guide describes him as a player who thrives in transition with “instant middle-lane attacks, turbo-speed give-and-goes, and incisive east-west passes,” highlighting his ability to create offense through speed and vision. 

His strengths match up with what scouts have noted elsewhere — strong offensive instincts, smooth skating ability, and a reliable two-way game — though his size (5-foot-8, 160 pounds) has been cited as a factor in NHL draft projections.

Hodnett was ranked 223rd among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft. 

Prior to his WHL career, Hodnett developed in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL), including a standout 2021-22 season at the U18 level where he recorded 59 points (17 goals, 42 assists) in 35 games and led the league in assists. 

He also represented Canada White at the 2022 World U17 Hockey Challenge, posting six points in six games. (Source: EliteProspects)

During his WHL career, Hodnett earned several team honors, including Oil Kings MVP and Top Rookie (2022-23) and Unsung Hero (2024-25). 

Hodnett’s commitment also continues a familiar pipeline for Omaha. He played alongside current Maverick Marc Lajoie during the 2023-24 season in Edmonton, giving him an existing connection to the program. Current teammate Carter Sotheran will join him in Omaha this fall.

In announcing his commitment, Hodnett expressed both gratitude for his time in Edmonton and excitement for what’s next: “I’m extremely proud and excited to announce my commitment to the University of Nebraska Omaha… It was a huge honor to serve as Captain for the past two seasons… Excited for what’s ahead with the Mavericks!” 

What This Means for the Mavericks
Hodnett fits the mold of the type of player Coach Mike Gabinet has targeted in recent recruiting classes: skilled, competitive, and capable of playing a fast, transition-based game.

With nearly a point-per-game career in the WHL and a track record of leadership as a team captain, Hodnett brings both production and experience to the Mavericks’ forward group.

It’s early, but this addition looks like another example of Omaha continuing to tap into high-end Canadian junior talent — particularly players who combine hockey IQ with offensive upside.

A letter from the cap. 💌 pic.twitter.com/YtdlqxvkWy

— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) April 20, 2026

Here is a video of all of Hodnett’s 2022-2023 WHL goals, including his first one:

Headed to Omaha! ✈️

Oil Kings F Gavin Hodnett has committed to the University of Nebraska Omaha for the 26/27 season! Congrats, Hods! 👑

🔗READ HERE: https://t.co/2FPkdJfpYt pic.twitter.com/uARNMTfb4Y

— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) April 20, 2026