NCHC reveals two all-conference squads for 2023-24 college hockey season, one team of honorable mention players

The NCHC has announced its 2023-24 all-conference teams. Four teams are represented on the first team, led by two each from Colorado College and Denver. The Pioneers placed four players on the two all-conference squads to pace all teams. 2023-24 First Team All-NCHC F: Jackson Blake, So., North Dakota – 45 points (15 first-team votes) … Read more

‘I will always be a Maverick:’ Longtime Omaha coach, administrator Kemp retiring in May 2024 after 48 years in college athletics

Omaha Hockey Hall of Fame coach and longtime administrator Mike Kemp has announced his retirement from the department effective this May. Kemp arrived at the University of Nebraska Omaha as its first head hockey coach on July 1, 1996. He was elevated to the position of associate athletic director in May 2009 after serving as … Read more

NCHC announces change in playoff format, will move exclusively to campus sites beginning with 2026 postseason tournament

Beginning with the 2026 conference tournament, the NCHC will be moving its playoffs entirely to campus sites. The decision was approved unanimously by the NCHC’s board of directors on Monday. The 2026 NCHC tournament and beyond will be played over three weeks. The biggest change sees the semifinals move to single elimination at two campus … Read more

2023-24 NCHC Season Preview: Coming off no Frozen Four appearances in 2023, conference teams aiming to ‘maximize their chances’ this year

Many people in and around the college hockey world will tell you that the 2022-23 season was a down one for the NCHC. On the surface, at least, it’s not hard to see why someone would think that. The NCHC is 10 years old now, and aside from the 2020 NCAA tournament that never was … Read more

Air Force, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Omaha comprise field for 2024 Ice Breaker Tournament to be played in Las Vegas

Minnesota will host the 2024 men’s Ice Breaker Tournament at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Air Force, Massachusetts and Omaha will also compete in the event, scheduled for Oct. 11-12, 2024. “Las Vegas hosting the 2024 Ice Breaker is another example of the impressive growth of hockey, and particularly college hockey, in our country,” said … Read more

Former Mercyhurst goalie, coach Aubry joins Omaha staff as Mavericks’ new associate coach

Omaha has announced the addition of Peter Aubry as associate coach for the men’s hockey team. Aubry previously worked with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and AHL’s Rockford IceHogs in a development and analytics role. “Peter Aubry is a great addition to the Mavericks, and we are very excited to have him here in Omaha with … Read more

After adding Arizona State for 2024-25 season, NCHC announces postseason format for 2025 conference playoffs

After announcing in July the addition of Arizona State as its ninth member starting with the 2024-25 season, the NCHC has finalized its 2025 conference tournament postseason format. The new playoff model was unanimously approved by the NCHC Athletic Council (member athletic directors). All nine teams will qualify for the NCHC playoffs in 2025. A … Read more

Omaha promotes Hambrook from director of player development to new assistant coach role with Mavericks

Bennett Hambrook has been named a new assistant coach at Omaha. He has been serving as the Mavericks’ director of player development since June 2022. Hambrook spent the previous four seasons as an assistant coach with Hamilton. Prior to coaching, Hambrook played collegiately at Hamilton, appearing in 69 games and compiling eight assists. He was … Read more

Western Michigan’s Polin named NCHC player of year, Denver’s Chrona top goalie, North Dakota’s Blake best rookie for ’22-23 campaign

On the eve of the NCHC Frozen Faceoff in St. Paul, Minn., the conference named its major award winners Thursday night. Western Michigan’s Jason Polin took home player of the year and forward of the year honors, while WMU’s Pat Ferschweiler was named Herb Brooks coach of the year. Denver’s Magnus Chrona was named goaltender … Read more

This Week in NCHC Hockey: Late Omaha assistant coach Jerrard ‘just a person you want to be around’ as Mavericks mourn loss of ‘PJ’

Omaha’s players unexpectedly had Tuesday afternoon free. That wasn’t Mavericks coach Mike Gabinet’s idea, but one of his assistants might have had something to do with it. “A puck hit the sprinkler system when guys were just shooting around, so we couldn’t practice,” Gabinet said. “A guy hit the crossbar and the puck went up … Read more

Omaha assistant coach, former Lake Superior State standout Jerrard loses cancer battle at 57

Omaha announced Thursday the passing of assistant coach Paul Jerrard. He was 57. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of assistant coach Paul Jerrard,” Omaha head coach Mike Gabinet said in a statement. “Paul had been quietly fighting a long-term battle with cancer. Our program will be forever indebted to PJ … Read more

HCA men’s monthly honorees for January include Michigan’s Fantilli, Boston University’s Hutson, Bentley’s Niemo, Omaha’s Latkoczy

The Hockey Commissioners Association has announced the men’s monthly award winners for January. Player of the month is Michigan freshman forward Adam Fantilli, co-rookies of the month are Boston University defenseman Lane Hutson and Bentley forward Nicholas Niemo, and goaltender of the month is Omaha freshman Simon Latkoczy. Fantill collected five goals and 14 points … Read more

This Week in NCHC Hockey: Omaha’s Miller called ‘a great person’ jumping into action at youth practice after roof collapses

Hockey players keep their heads on a swivel while out on the ice, and not just before their own benefit. On Jan. 30, Omaha junior forward Matt Miller wasn’t just looking out for his own safety, but for that of around 50 five- and six-year-olds. Since last summer, Miller has been involved with hockey training … Read more

This Week in NCHC Hockey: No satisfaction for Omaha with Mavericks aiming for higher goals in second half of ’22-23 campaign

It’s been a mixed bag of a season so far for Omaha, but entering the second half, coach Mike Gabinet is taking a glass-half-full approach. Half the NCHC had last week off, including Omaha (9-9-2), and that might’ve been a good thing for the Mavs following a tough home series Dec. 30-31 against nonconference foe … Read more

This Week in NCHC Hockey: Miller providing scoring punch for Omaha as junior is ‘going to do nothing but continue to improve’

One reason unranked Omaha pulled off last weekend’s biggest upset victory, on Friday at top-ranked Denver, is a junior Mavericks forward who’s now on a four-game goal streak. Matt Miller posted a point in eight of his first 11 games this season, and the United States National Team Development Program product scored twice in UNO’s … Read more