News

We take a look at the Ohio State series in this week’s preview on the MavPuck.com Blog — includes links to watch and listen to the games, coach and player quotes from the Oct. 25 weekly media availability at Baxter Arena, and additional tidbits on the weekend series. 

Read full preview:
Series Preview: Omaha vs. Ohio State, Oct. 27-28, 2023 

UNO Hockey defenseman Joaquim Lemay was named NCHC Defenseman of the Week in the KJ Branding National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Players of the Week — Oct. 9-15, 2023. 

The Saint-Pierre-les-Becquets, Quebec, native had 2 goals and 1 assist during Omaha’s season opening home sweep of the Niagara Purple Eagles at Baxter Arena on Oct. 13-14, 2023. 

Lemay’s power play goal in the Saturday matchup with Niagara was the game-winning goal, helping the Mavericks secure a 2-1 victory over the Purple Eagles. The sophomore currently leads the team in goals (already matching his goal total from the 2022-23 season). 

Additionally, sophomore forward Ray Fust was a nominee for NCHC Forward of the Week and sophomore defenseman Jacob Guevin was a nominee for NCHC Defenseman of the Week. 

>> Lemay’s play during the Niagara series is also discussed on this week’s episode of the #mavpuckcast — click here to view this week’s episode. 

Read the full NCHC release: 
KJ Branding NCHC Players of the Week: Oct. 13-14, 2023 

Watch this week’s episode of the #mavpuckcast: 

On this episode of the #mavpuckcast, Jason and Jon look at the Omaha Hockey team’s season opening home sweep of Niagara — with their picks for “Player of the Week.” They take a look at some of the latest “Things You Missed at Baxter Arena” — including the addition of flaming baton twirlers and an honor for the long-dormant UNO Wrestling team. They look at recent ticketing glitches that have impacted the digital hockey tickets within the Omaha Mavericks app on iOS and Android. They conclude the episode with their predictions for Omaha’s upcoming home hockey series against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Baxter Arena.  

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On this episode of the #mavpuckcast, Jason and Jon analyze the UNO Hockey team's exhibition at MSU Mankato. They look at some of the game-day amenities Mankato features in their arena during the hockey season. Jason and Jon also discuss Omaha's recently announced participation in the 2024 Ice Breaker Tournament in Las Vegas. The episode concludes with predictions for Omaha's season-opening series against the Niagara Purple Eagles at Baxter Arena. 

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On the season premiere of the #mavpuckcast, Jason and Jon give their predictions for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) race this season. They review the UNO Hockey program’s recent open house event at Baxter Arena (includes an analysis of the autograph session, Skate With The Mavs, the team scrimmage, and the new metal detectors at the arena entrances). Jason and Jon also take a look the new Omaha Hockey home jerseys. The episode concludes with a discussion of Omaha’s upcoming trip to Minnesota to play an exhibition against the MSU-Mankato Mavericks. 

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MAVPUCK STORE OPEN FOR A LIMITED TIME!

Pre-order exclusive designs from the MavPuck collection!
Orders are due by MIDNIGHT on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.

ORDER HERE:
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Orders will be ready for pickup at the Lawlor’s store after Oct. 25.

(Note: Online discount code is NOT applicable to MavPuck store orders. Designs above available in black and heather grey — t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and long-sleeve tees.)

By Jon Brooks 

If you are “roster junkies” (like we are), then this time of year is like manna from hockey heaven. 

In addition to graduations and pro signings that come with the end of the season, the “transfer portal” is a fascinating story to observe. 

This year, the UNO Hockey program has had three players sign pro contracts (thus far): Goalie Jake Kucharski (read our article), forward Jake Pivonka (read our article), and defenseman Jonny Tychonick (read our article). 

Those three departures weren't particularly surprising. Pivonka and Tychonick had used up their eligibility, and conventional wisdom suggested that Kucharski was going to move on after the season. 

The transfer portal is another story. The portal was set up to streamline the transfer process in the NCAA.  

A key pair of sophomores — forward Cam Berg and defenseman Davis Pennington — have entered the transfer portal. 

The portal opened on March 20. NCAA rule changes two years ago allow players to transfer to a different school without sitting out a full season (which was the procedure in the past). 

There is a 60-day window in which players can enter the portal this year. That window will close on May 18.

Nearly 200 players entered the transfer portal last year. It is possible that we will see more Mavericks enter the portal over the next couple of months. 

The Berg and Pennington departures are rather surprising for Omaha.

Both players garnered considerable playing time this season. (Berg appeared in 37 games, Pennington appeared in 36.) 

Both players ranked among the top point producers on the team: 

• Cam Berg (F) - 10 goals, 14 assists (6th on the team in points)
  
• Davis Pennington (D) - 1 goal, 15 assists (9th on the team in points) 
  

Players decide to enter the transfer portal for a myriad of reasons. Unless we hear more specifics, much of the speculation is just that…speculation. 

Berg is an interesting story. While he ranked sixth on the team in points, he also had a minus-5 rating — despite the 24 points he tallied this season. 

This stat was pointed out by Chris Boehm on our message board, and it is worth noting because it suggests — in this particular instance — that his defensive play might not be as strong as his offensive game. 

Where he might end up is unknown. But, as Mike McMahon noted in his College Hockey Insider newsletter, Berg is originally from West Fargo, ND. He pointed out that there was “a story out when [Berg] was drafted that he grew up in a family of huge North Dakota fans.”

Pennington has proven himself to be a “spark plug” on the blue line for UNO. While he might not be the flashiest player on the team, he did make strides offensively this season (more than doubling his point production from his freshman campaign). 

One factor to consider in all of this are recruits waiting to join the roster for the 2023-24 season. 

UNO has a number of interesting prospects waiting in the junior ranks. The COVID season in 2020-21 has meant (in certain instances) that a number of NCAA hockey recruits have had to wait longer than normal to join collegiate teams. 

This is due to the fact that collegiate players who played in the NCAA during the 2020-21 season are granted an extra year of eligibility (which allows a player like Nolan Sullivan to stay with the team for a fifth season). 

As of this writing, our research has determined that Omaha has had five (5) recruits sign National Letters of Intent (NLIs). Below are their point totals (if they have played with multiple teams, the numbers are combined): 

• Tanner Ludtke (F) - currently has 28 goals and 26 assists for the Lincoln Stars (USHL) 
  
• Charlie Lurie (F) - currently has 12 goals and 13 assists for the Omaha Lancers/Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) 
• Liam Watkins (F) - currently has 26 goals and 41 assists for the Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) 
• Ethan Whitcomb (F) - currently has 20 goals and 15 assists for the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) 
• Marcus Broberg (D) - currently has 5 goals and 15 assists with the Omaha Lancers (USHL), Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL), and Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL) 

At this point, we don’t know how many NLI signees will arrive at UNO this fall. In addition, there are other recruits on Omaha’s recruiting rolls who could join the team. 

For example, a recruit like forward Alexi Van Houtte-Cachero, who has had 12 goals and 24 assists playing for the West Kelowna Warriors and the Powell River Kings (BCHL) this season. 

One area UNO needs help in is point production. In the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), a team really needs three productive lines to be competitive. 

Omaha might also be bringing in some players via the transfer portal. At this point, it is anyone’s guess as to whether they are targeting any forwards or defensemen for the 2023-24 season.

We only gained one (1) portal player (in Jake Pivonka, who transferred from Notre Dame) last season. My gut instinct says that the coaching staff would prefer to bring in some of their talented recruits instead of shopping the portal.

It is possible we will get one (1) or more goalies from the portal this season. Netminder Jacob Zab’s status is unknown at this point. If he decides to move on, the Mavericks will be faced with finding two goaltenders for the 2023-24 campaign. 

It seems unlikely that recent goalie commit Jack Spicer — who currently has a 2.99 GAA and a .890 SV% with the Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)  — would come to Omaha early. Also don't expect to see Louka Cloutier for a few more seasons. 

With freshman Simon Latkoczy playing well for UNO down the stretch this season (and likely to log most of the minutes in net for the Mavs next season), it seems unlikely Omaha would get a lot of interest from some of the more “battle-tested” goalies currently in the transfer portal. 

Instead, UNO might look for a stable, veteran goaltender playing in the junior ranks who has yet to commit to a school — much in the way they brought in Austin Roden to back up Isaiah Saville during his freshman campaign. 

It will be fascinating to see what transpires during the spring and summer. 

In the meantime, be sure to follow MavPuck.com on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for all your recruiting, pro signings, and transfer portal updates!

Omaha Hockey forward Jake Pivonka has signed an amateur tryout agreement (ATO) with the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL). 

The grad student had 18 points with the Mavericks this season (10 goals and 8 assists) — a season-high tally during his collegiate career. 

Pivonka transferred to Omaha after four seasons at Notre Dame.

The extra “COVID” season granted to NCAA athletes (who played in the NCAA during the 2020-21 season) allowed him a fifth year of eligibility at the collegiate level. 

Prior to joining UNO, Pivonka had 9 goals and 29 assists in 129 games over four seasons with the Fighting Irish. 

Pivonka played alongside fellow Maverick Tyler Weiss with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP) from 2016 to 2018. 

Pivonka stood out at UNO for his steady play, ability to win faceoff draws, and veteran presence on the ice this season. He made numerous appearances on UNO’s top line during the 2022-23 campaign.  

Pivonka was drafted in the fourth round (103rd overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft by the New York Islanders (Bridgeport is the AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders). 

Transaction: Forward Jacob Pivonka has agreed to terms on an amateur tryout agreement (ATO). pic.twitter.com/DohDHyIRKP

— Bridgeport Islanders (@AHLIslanders) March 21, 2023

>> Pivonka’s future was discussed on the latest episode of the #mavpuckcast — click here to view the episode. 

Omaha Hockey goalie Jake Kucharski and defenseman Jonny Tychonick have both landed professional contracts.

Kucharski’s status at the end of the season was somewhat in question. Fan circles on social media had wondered what the future held for the goalie. 

The senior goaltender started his collegiate career at Providence (according to Elite Prospects, Kucharski didn't play for the Friars during his lone season there).

He then transferred to American International and played two seasons for Yellow Jackets (and was named Atlantic Hockey Goaltender of the Year for the 2021-22 season). 

Kucharski transferred to UNO for the 2022-23 season. He had at 2.72 goals-against average (GAA) and a .904 save percentage (SV%) in 20 games with UNO this season.  

Taking into account the extra season the NCAA allows players who competed during the 2020-21 season (as a result of COVID restrictions), it appeared — on cursory glance — that Kucharski would have a season or two of eligibility left for the Mavericks (despite being recognized in the team’s senior night festivities on March 4). 

Be that as it may, the general consensus seemed to be that this would be his lone season in Omaha. That ultimately turned out to be the case. 

The netminder has moved on to the pro ranks, signing an ATO (Amateur Tryout Contract) with the Chicago Wolves (AHL). 

Oh hey Jacob!

Welcome to Chicago, #31. pic.twitter.com/awe78gsKcl

— Chicago Wolves (@Chicago_Wolves) March 16, 2023

Kucharski was drafted in the seventh round (197th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes (the Wolves are a minor league affiliate of the Hurricanes organization.)

In his professional debut with the Wolves on March 18, Kucharski gave up 4 goals on 8 shots. 


Grad student Jonny Tychonick signed a two-year AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies. 

News | We've signed defenceman Jonny Tychonick to a two-year AHL contract. #LongLive

— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) March 20, 2023

Tychonick had 26 points (8 goals and 18 assists) with the Mavericks this season. He played in a total of 82 games for Omaha in three seasons, compiling 13 goals and 29 assists.

Tychonick started his collegiate career at North Dakota. He played 52 games in two seasons for UND, notching 4 goals and 11 assists before transferring to UNO. 

Tychonick was drafted in the second round (48th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft by the Ottawa Senators. 

As of this writing, Tychonick has yet to make his AHL debut with the Marlies.

>> Kucharski and Tychonick are discussed on the latest episode of the #mavpuckcast — click here to view this week’s episode.  

On this week’s episode of the #mavpuckcast... Jason and Jon analyze the Omaha Hockey team’s first-round NCHC playoff series against North Dakota at Baxter Arena — includes video highlights and their picks for “Player of the Week.” They look at some “Things You Missed at Baxter Arena” — including the UNO Tuba Parade and Jon’s broken seat at Baxter Arena. They talk about the Mavs nominated for individual NCHC season awards. They wrap up the episode with their thoughts on UNO players who might “stay or go” during the offseason in a new segment called “Will They Stay or Will They Go?”

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