2022–23 Omaha Mavericks
men's ice hockey season
Conference3rd NCHC
Home iceBaxter Arena
Rankings
USCHO#20
USA TodayNR
Record
Overall19–15–3
Conference13–9–2
Home11–8–2
Road8–7–1
Coaches and captains
Head coachMike Gabinet
Assistant coachesDave Noël-Bernier
Paul Jerrard
Rob Couturier
Captain(s)Nolan Sullivan
Alternate captain(s)Matt Miller
Jack Randl
Omaha Mavericks men's ice hockey seasons
« 2021–22 2023–24 »

The 2022–23 Omaha Mavericks men's ice hockey season was the 25th season of play for the program and 10th in the NCHC. The Mavericks represented the University of Nebraska Omaha, played their home games at Baxter Arena and were coached by Mike Gabinet in his 6th season.

Season

As the Mavericks came into the season, the team was having to remake all three sections of the team. After losing both goaltenders from last year, coach Gabinet brought in freshman Šimon Latkoczy and transfer Jake Kucharski to man the pipes. The defense was a little more stable, however, the two regular the team lost still had to be replaced. On the offensive side, Omaha was without 4 of its top 5 scorers from '22 and, while they did bring in graduate transfer Jacob Pivonka, Omaha would likely need to see significant improvements from the returning players.

The great uncertainty with they roster left the Mavs outside of the polls at the start of the season, but that was the least of their worries. Omaha opened the season at home against Niagara, with most expecting a pair of easy wins for the Mavericks. Both goaltenders got off to a poor start in their debuts by allowing 4 goals each and allowing the team to get swept. With the Purple Eagles expected to be a low-ranked team by the end of the year, those two losses could act like an albatross with the team's national ranking. In the meantime, the team had some work to do on the defensive end and saw some improvements during the rest of their non-conference schedule. Omaha went 4–1–1 to finish out October and get themselves back above .500. Though the goaltending rotation initially favored the experienced Kucharski, Latkoczy quickly was getting used to the collegiate level.

As Omaha progressed into their NCHC slate, the team played well and had a credible record through 4 weeks, playing against a gauntlet of teams in the top 20. Right before the winter break, however, the Mavericks were swept by Colorado College and pushed back down to an exactly average mark.

When the team began the second half of its season, they were facing an uphill battle to make the NCAA tournament. While they weren't too far out of the race, sitting in the mid-20's in the PairWise, the NCHC was having a bad season with several of its usual contenders floundering. The reduced strength of schedule would make Omaha's task more difficult by requiring the team to play nearly perfect hockey in the second half. Unfortunately, the Mavericks' offense failed them against St. Lawrence and they began with a loss. With even less margin for error, Omaha's defense came into its own and led the team to a 5 game winning streak. After earning a split with Western Michigan, the Mavericks appeared in the polls for the first time on the year. Two weeks later, and no losses in 4 games, the Mavericks suddenly found themselves in the top 15 of the PairWise and in line for an at-large bid.[1]

In the midst of the team's stellar run, tragedy struck when assistant coach Paul Jerrard died on February 15.[2] Jerrard had been fighting cancer for a while but had not stopped coaching through his treatment.[3]

With Omaha clinging to their playoff hopes, the team entered the final two weeks of the regular season needing to go even or better. The Mavs accomplished that goal against St. Cloud State with alternating 6–2 finals. Although they dropped to 16, a solid performance against North Dakota could easily undo that damage. Unfortunately, the team was inconsistent in their final weekend and ended up losing both games by 1 goal.

As the playoffs began, Omaha was sitting just under the cut line, however, the Mavericks had finished 3rd in the NCHC. Their strong second half enabled the team to get a home site for the quarterfinals and a rematch with the Fighting Hawks. Latkoczy was given the job of stifling UND and performed perfectly in the first game, stopping 40 shots en route to a 2–1 victory.[4] Unfortunately, the team's offense was never able to get going in the series. Omaha scored just 5 goals in 3 games and lost the final two. In their season finale, the Mavs were only able to muster 14 shots and went 0–6 on the power play.

Departures

Player Position Nationality Cause
Joseph AbateForward United StatesSigned professional contract (Providence Bruins)
Kevin ConleyForward United StatesGraduation (signed with Reading Royals)
Jake HarrisonDefenseman CanadaLeft program (retired)
Nate KnoepkeDefenseman United StatesGraduation (signed with Rochester Americans)
Brannon McManusForward CanadaGraduation (signed with Abbotsford Canucks)
Chayse PrimeauForward United StatesGraduate transfer to Notre Dame
Austin RodenGoaltender CanadaTransferred to Providence
Isaiah SavilleGoaltender United StatesSigned professional contract (Vegas Golden Knights)
Brandon ScanlinDefenseman CanadaSigned professional contract (New York Rangers)
Jason SmallidgeDefenseman United StatesGraduation (retired)
Martin SundbergForward SwedenGraduation (retired)
Taylor WardForward CanadaGraduation (signed with Los Angeles Kings)

Recruiting

Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Michael AbgrallForward Canada18Richmond, BC
Ray FustForward  Switzerland19Bellinzona, SUI
Jacob GuévinDefenseman United States19Drummondville, QC
Jake KucharskiGoaltender United States23Erie, PA; Selected 197th overall in 2018; transfer from American International
Šimon LatkoczyGoaltender Slovakia20Trencin, SVK
Joaquim LemayDefenseman Canada20St-Pierre-les-Becquets, QC; selected 119th overall in 2021
Griffin LudtkeDefenseman United States19Elko, MN
Cam MitchellForward United States21Stony Plain, AB
Jacob PivonkaForward United States20Olathe, KS; graduate transfer from Notre Dame
Tyler RollwagenForward United States21Bloomington, MN
Jacob SlipecForward Canada20White Rock, BC

Current roster

As of December 24, 2022.[5]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 Pennsylvania Jake Kucharski Senior G 6' 4" (1.93 m) 216 lb (98 kg) 1999-09-25 Erie, Pennsylvania American International (AHA) CAR, 197th overall 2018
2 Quebec Joaquim Lemay Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 2002-07-28 Saint-Pierre-les-Becquets, Quebec Lincoln (USHL) WSH, 119th overall 2021
3 Alberta Kirby Proctor Senior D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 197 lb (89 kg) 2001-04-20 Okotoks, Alberta Des Moines (USHL)
7 Minnesota Griffin Ludtke Freshman D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 171 lb (78 kg) 2003-02-01 Elko, Minnesota Sioux City (USHL)
8 Switzerland Ray Fust Freshman F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2002-10-23 Bellinzona, Switzerland Waterloo (USHL)
10 Quebec Jacob Guévin Freshman D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 2003-01-17 Drummondville, Quebec Muksegon (USHL)
11 Minnesota Nolan Sullivan (C) Senior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 1999-05-21 Eden Prairie, Minnesota Muskegon (USHL)
12 Minnesota Nolan Krenzen Junior D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-07-13 Duluth, Minnesota Omaha (USHL)
13 British Columbia Jacob Slipec Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-12-05 White Rock, British Columbia Surrey (BCHL)
16 Alberta Cam Mitchell Freshman F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 1740 lb (789 kg) 2001-03-09 Stony Plain, Alberta Omaha (USHL)
17 Minnesota Cameron Berg Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2002-01-29 White Bear Lake, Minnesota Muskegon (USHL) NYI, 125th overall 2021
18 British Columbia Michael Abgrall Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2003-10-25 Richmond, British Columbia Surrey (BCHL)
19 Alberta Ty Mueller Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2003-02-26 Cochrane, Alberta Sherwood Park (AJHL)
20 Alberta Jonny Tychonick Graduate D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2000-03-03 Calgary, Alberta North Dakota (NCHC) OTT, 48th overall 2018
21 Minnesota Tyler Rollwagen Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2001-03-20 Bloomington, Minnesota Fargo (USHL)
22 Illinois Jimmy Glynn Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 168 lb (76 kg) 2000-02-24 Lemont, Illinois Dubuque (USHL)
23 Michigan Victor Mancini Sophomore D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 2002-05-26 Saginaw, Michigan Green Bay (USHL) NYR, 159th overall 2022
26 Minnesota Brock Bremer Junior F 5' 5" (1.65 m) 140 lb (64 kg) 1999-08-26 Forest Lake, Minnesota Lincoln (USHL)
27 Indiana Matt Miller (A) Junior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 1999-09-04 Leo, Indiana Lincoln (USHL)
28 Illinois Jack Randl (A) Senior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2000-05-07 Carpentersville, Illinois Omaha (USHL)
29 Minnesota Kaden Bohlsen Junior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2001-01-10 Willmar, Minnesota Fargo (USHL)
30 Slovakia Šimon Latkoczy Freshman G 5' 11" (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2002-06-01 Trenčín, Slovakia Madison (USHL)
35 Ohio Jacob Zab Senior G 5' 9" (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1998-04-12 Mentor, Ohio Pittsburgh (USPHL)
40 North Carolina Tyler Weiss Graduate F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 146 lb (66 kg) 2000-01-03 Raleigh, North Carolina NTDP (USHL) COL, 109th overall 2018
44 Illinois Jake Pivonka Graduate F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2000-02-28 Naperville, Illinois Notre Dame (Big Ten) NYI, 103rd overall 2018
48 Michigan Davis Pennington Sophomore D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-05-27 Saline, Michigan Muskegon (USHL)

Standings

Conference record Overall record
GP W L T OTW OTL SW PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#6 Denver241950210569453403010015086
#11 Western Michigan2415812004486603923151148102
#20 Omaha241392221427164371915310997
#5 St. Cloud State *241293213418568412513313395
Minnesota Duluth2410140140336581371620195114
#17 North Dakota24101043023375703918156127110
Colorado College24615302225376038132237999
Miami24318302014399636824473137
Championship: March 18, 2023
† indicates conference regular season champion (Penrose Cup)
* indicates conference tournament champion (Frozen Faceoff Championship Trophy)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll

Schedule and results

DateTimeOpponent#Rank#SiteTVDecisionResultAttendanceRecord
Exhibition
October 1 6:07 PM #3 Minnesota State* Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska (Exhibition)  Kucharski W 7–2  4,597
Regular Season
October 7 7:07 PM Niagara* Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska  Kucharski L 3–4  5,748 0–1–0
October 8 7:07 PM Niagara* Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska  Latkoczy L 3–4  5,567 0–2–0
October 14 6:07 PM at Lake Superior State* Taffy Abel ArenaSault Ste. Marie, MichiganFloHockey Kucharski W 3–1  1,654 1–2–0
October 15 5:07 PM at Lake Superior State* Taffy Abel ArenaSault Ste. Marie, MichiganFloHockey Kucharski T 4–4 OT 1,444 1–2–1
October 21 7:07 PM Alaska* Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska  Kucharski L 2–3 OT 6,414 1–3–1
October 23 2:07 PM Alaska* Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska  Latkoczy W 3–2 OT 4,697 2–3–1
October 28 6:45 PM at Long Island* Northwell Health Ice CenterEast Meadow, New YorkESPN+ Kucharski W 2–1  738 3–3–1
October 29 6:07 PM at Long Island* Northwell Health Ice CenterEast Meadow, New YorkESPN+ Latkoczy W 7–1  300 4–3–1
November 4 7:07 PM #10 North Dakota Baxter ArenaOmaha, NebraskaMidco Kucharski L 1–4  6,543 4–4–1 (0–1–0)
November 5 7:07 PM #10 North Dakota Baxter ArenaOmaha, NebraskaMidco Kucharski T 3–3 SOW 6,314 4–4–2 (0–1–1)
November 11 7:00 PM at #20 Minnesota Duluth AMSOIL ArenaDuluth, MinnesotaMY9 Kucharski W 3–2  5,941 5–4–2 (1–1–1)
November 12 6:00 PM at #20 Minnesota Duluth AMSOIL ArenaDuluth, MinnesotaMY9 Kucharski L 2–3 OT 6,103 5–5–2 (1–2–1)
November 25 8:00 PM at #1 Denver Magness ArenaDenver, Colorado  Kucharski W 3–0  5,689 6–5–2 (2–2–1)
November 26 7:00 PM at #1 Denver Magness ArenaDenver, Colorado  Kucharski L 3–6  5,269 6–6–2 (2–3–1)
December 2 7:07 PM #14 Western Michigan Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska  Kucharski W 7–6  6,623 7–6–2 (3–3–1)
December 3 7:07 PM #14 Western Michigan Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska  Latkoczy W 3–1  6,766 8–6–2 (4–3–1)
December 9 8:30 PM at Colorado College Ed Robson ArenaColorado Springs, ColoradoATTRM Kucharski L 4–6  3,409 8–7–2 (4–4–1)
December 10 7:00 PM at Colorado College Ed Robson ArenaColorado Springs, Colorado  Latkoczy L 0–1  3,416 8–8–2 (4–5–1)
December 30 7:07 PM St. Lawrence* Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska  Kucharski L 1–2  7,347 8–9–2
December 31 8:07 PM St. Lawrence* Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska  Latkoczy W 5–2  5,817 9–9–2
January 13 7:07 PM Minnesota Duluth Baxter ArenaOmaha, NebraskaCBSSN Kucharski W 3–2  6,398 10–9–2 (5–5–1)
January 14 7:07 PM Minnesota Duluth Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska  Latkoczy W 6–1  6,451 11–9–2 (6–5–1)
January 20 7:07 PM Miami Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska  Kucharski W 4–1  6,134 12–9–2 (7–5–1)
January 21 7:07 PM Miami Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska  Latkoczy W 2–0  6,650 13–9–2 (8–5–1)
January 27 6:00 PM at #9 Western Michigan Lawson ArenaKalamazoo, Michigan  Kucharski L 1–6  3,872 13–10–2 (8–6–1)
January 28 5:00 PM at #9 Western Michigan Lawson ArenaKalamazoo, Michigan  Latkoczy W 2–0  3,924 14–10–2 (9–6–1)
February 10 7:07 PM Colorado College #16 Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska  Latkoczy W 3–2  7,942 15–10–2 (10–6–1)
February 11 7:07 PM Colorado College #16 Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska  Latkoczy T 2–2 SOL 7,755 15–10–3 (10–6–2)
February 17 6:05 PM at Miami #15 Steve Cady ArenaOxford, Ohio  Latkoczy W 3–1  2,025 16–10–3 (11–6–2)
February 18 4:05 PM at Miami #15 Steve Cady ArenaOxford, Ohio  Kucharski W 3–2  2,573 17–10–3 (12–6–2)
February 24 7:07 PM #6 St. Cloud State #14 Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska  Latkoczy L 2–6  7,027 17–11–3 (12–7–2)
February 25 7:07 PM #6 St. Cloud State #14 Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska  Latkoczy W 6–2  7,802 18–11–3 (13–7–2)
March 3 7:07 PM at North Dakota #14 Ralph Engelstad ArenaGrand Forks, North DakotaMidco Latkoczy L 4–5 OT 11,728 18–12–3 (13–8–2)
March 4 6:07 PM at North Dakota #14 Ralph Engelstad ArenaGrand Forks, North DakotaMidco Kucharski L 1–2  11,731 18–13–3 (13–9–2)
NCHC Tournament
March 10 6:07 PM North Dakota* #17 Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska (Quarterfinal Game 1)Midco Latkoczy W 2–1  6,510 19–13–3
March 11 6:07 PM North Dakota* #17 Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska (Quarterfinal Game 2)Midco Latkoczy L 1–3  7,348 19–14–3
March 12 5:07 PM North Dakota* #17 Baxter ArenaOmaha, Nebraska (Quarterfinal Game 3)Midco Latkoczy L 2–5  5,571 19–15–3
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Central Time.
Source:[6]

Scoring statistics

Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Jack RandlLW3718163422
Tyler WeissC/LW376212726
Jonny TychonickD358182624
Matt MillerRW3413122532
Ty MuellerF341213254
Cameron BergC3710142438
Jake PivonkaC371081816
Jacob GuévinD36414186
Davis PenningtonD361151610
Nolan SullivanF35691531
Joaquim LemayD322101223
Jacob SlipecF285498
Jimmy GlynnF3045918
Ray FustLW/RW243694
Nolan KrenzenD341894
Kirby ProctorD3717830
Victor ManciniD3208810
Brock BremerLW2225730
Tyler RollwagenF3313414
Kaden BohlsenC2621326
Cam MitchellLW140110
Jacob ZabG10000
Griffin LudtkeD140000
Michael AbgrallC1500016
Šimon LatkoczyG200000
Jake KucharskiG200000
Total109198307392

[7]

Goaltending statistics

Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
Jacob Zab11:320000101.0000.00
Šimon Latkoczy201110:421161434902.9192.32
Jake Kucharski201123:14892514811.9042.72
Empty Net-15:57---3----
Total382251:2519153979723.9092.59

Rankings

Poll Week
Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 (Final)
USCHO.com NR - NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR - NR NR NR NR 19 16 15 14 14 17 18 20 - 20
USA Today NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 16 16 15 15 14 18 19 NR NR NR

Note: USCHO did not release a poll in weeks 1, 13, or 26.[8]

Awards and honors

Player Award Ref
Joaquim Lemay NCHC Rookie Team [9]
Jacob Guévin

Players drafted into the NHL

2023 NHL Entry Draft

Round Pick Player NHL team
381Tanner Ludtke Arizona Coyotes
4105Ty MuellerVancouver Canucks

† incoming freshman [10]

References

  1. "Men's Division I PairWise Rankings". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  2. "Paul Jerrard, former NHL assistant, dies of cancer at 57". ESPN. February 16, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  3. "Remembering Paul Jerrard: The stories, memories and impact of the 'classiest man in hockey'". The Rink Live. March 5, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  4. "FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2023". College Hockey Inc. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  5. "2022–23 Hockey Roster". Omaha Athletics. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  6. "2022-23 Hockey Schedule". Omaha Mavericks. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  7. "Univ. of Nebraska-Omaha 2022-2023 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  8. "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  9. "NCHC Reveals 2022-23 All-Conference Teams". NCHC. March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  10. "NCAA player rankings, selections in 2023 NHL Draft". USCHO.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
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