UNO Maverick Hockey

UNO Announces 2008-09 Recruits

2008-05-27T15:42:00.003-05:00

Five players have signed national letters of intent in the spring signing period to attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha and play hockey for the Mavericks.

Three of the new recruits will enroll at UNO and compete in 2008-09, while two others are committed for the 2009-10 season and will continue to play junior hockey next winter. Those five join a list of seven others who have previously signed with the Mavericks.

The three 2008-09 recruits include a goaltender, left wing, and a center.

Goalie John Faulkner was third in the Western Ontario Hockey League with a 3.03 goals against average and a .921 save percentage for the Sarnia Blast. The six-foot, 205-pound native of Sarnia had a 19-19 record, recorded one shutout and led the league in saves and save percentage and was the league’s most valuable player.

Left wing Brent Gwidt (pronounced like “Quit”), 6-3, 190, from Minocqua, Wis., had 8 goals and 14 assists and was a plus-15 for the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League. He was a sixth-round draft pick by the Washington Capitals of the NHL in 2006.

Ryan Kretzer, a 5-8, 175-pound center from St. Louis, Mo., was the Lincoln Stars’ second-leading scorer with 22 goals and 36 assists. He also added 5 goals in 8 playoff games.

The two recruits signed for the 2009-10 season include a pair of forwards, including a native Omahan.

Nick Oddo (pronounced Oh-doe), a 6-0, 180-pound center/wing from Omaha, scored 14 goals and had 9 assists and was a plus-9 in his first season of junior hockey at Cedar Rapids in the USHL. He was named the team’s unsung hero and won the RoughRiders Fan Choice Award. Oddo attended Millard North High School in Omaha.

David Morley, a 5-8-, 170-pound wing from Richmond Hill, Ont., scored 12 goals and handed out 23 assists in 41 games and was named the rookie of the year for the Aurora Tigers of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League. The Tigers won the North Division under head coach Jerome Dupont, who is the father of Maverick goalie Jeremie Dupont.

Five previously-signed players, who all played prominent roles will join the Mavericks next fall.

John Kemp, a 5-8, 180-pound wing for the Indiana Ice, earned second-team USHL All-Star honors as the league’s leading scorer with 13 goals and 59 assists for 72 points. The Arcadia, Calif., native produced 8 goals and 27 assists on the power play.

Teammate Jake Skjodt (pronounced “Scott”), a 5-10, 195-pound center from Carmel, Ind., was the fourth-leading scorer for the Ice with 22 goals, 24 assists, and second on the team with 12 power play goals.

Alex Hudson was the second-leading scorer for Tri-City, scoring 23 goals and added 21 assists. The 6-0, 195-pounder from Corona, Calif., led the team in goals and power play goals with 8, as well as game-winning goals with 5.

Defenseman Kyle Ensign, 6-0, 180, from New Richmond, Wis., split time between Tri-City and Green Bay, finishing with 2 goals and 9 assists in 54 games, with the final 34 with the Gamblers.

Jordan Willert, a 6-3, 210-pound center from Minot, N.D., had 19 goals and added 9 assists for the Tri-City Storm of the USHL before his season ended after 45 games because of an injury.

Two other previously signed players will not enroll at UNO until 2009-10.

Joe Frazier, a 5-8, 180-pound forward, played last year for his Brainerd, Minn., High School team. He earned first-team all-conference honors in both 2007 and 2008. Frazier will play for the Omaha Lancers in 2008-09.

Nick Hopper, a six-foot, 170-pound goaltender from Culver City, Calif., posted a 3.54 goals against average and an .881 save percentage for the Tri-City Storm and had a 9-11 record in 22 games.

Scero and Bagron in Their First Pro Game

2008-05-09T09:18:00.003-05:00

Former Mavericks Brandon Scero (#22) and Bill Bagron (#28) square off in their first pro game.

(Thanks to Rick Scero for the photo.)

Scero and Bagron Sign with ECHL Teams

2008-03-21T23:25:00.002-05:00

Brandon Scero signed with Mississippi in the ECHL and Bill Bagron signed with Texas. They played against each other tonight in the first pro game for both of them. Chris Tebbs was also in net for Texas.

Mississippi won 6-1. Scero had 2 goals.

Scero and Bagron Sign with ECHL Teams

2008-03-21T23:25:00.001-05:00

Scero and Bagron Sign with ECHL Teams

2008-03-21T23:25:00.000-05:00

Mavs Claim Silver Sow

2008-02-28T09:20:00.004-06:00

Maverick seniors Bill Bagron (left), Eric Aarnio (center) and Mick Lawrence (right) reclaimed the Spirit of the Mavericks trophy (nicknamed the "Silver Sow") from the Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks after a six-year drought.

The trophy is awarded to the team that scores the most goals in the two-game series. The UNO Mavericks claimed the trophy by winning 6-3 in Omaha and 4-2 in Mankato.

The trophy was presented by me, representing the UNO Blue Line Club (neither UNO BLC president Pat Lemmers nor vice-president Colleen Barstow were able to make the Feb. 26 game in Mankato). More than 60 UNO fans witnessed the on-ice presentation.

Mavs at Brewburger's on Feb. 10 and 17

2008-02-07T15:30:00.000-06:00

Join the UNO Maverick Hockey team for a fundraiser at Brewburger's at 4629 S. 108th Street on Sunday, Feb. 10 and again on Sunday, Feb. 17th. Ten percent of the sales from 6-8 p.m. will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, says General Manager Paul Goodman.

UNO hockey players will be refilling beverages and providing friendly, attentive, personal service. Bring your Maverick items to be signed, or purchase a raffle ticket to win signed jerseys, sticks, and pucks.

Mav Fans Make an Impression in East Lansing

2008-02-05T22:15:00.000-06:00

Thanks to all the Mavpuck.com bus trippers who went with us to East Lansing last weekend. We had a blast, and are looking forward to the next trip!

Donate to Newcomer of the Year Award

2008-02-04T15:51:00.000-06:00

Ordinary Maverick Hockey fans sponsor one of the awards given out at the annual UNO Hockey Awards Banquet -- the Newcomer of the Year Award, sponsored by Mavpuck.com.

Would you like to donate?

Mavs Sweep Western Michigan

2008-01-07T10:37:00.000-06:00

A screen-pature from the Sun. Jan. 6 game on ESPNU showed fans (front row), Brian Rowe and Sheryl Osentoski (clapping); (Back row) Bridget Brooks (holding sign), Chloe Lamay, and Brandi Teeters (holding camera). More than a dozen Omaha fans joined player parents in Kalamazoo, Mich. to cheer on the Mavericks. (Photo courtesy of Sean Weide)

The UNO Mavericks captured four hard-earned points in their sweep of Western Michigan on Jan. 4-5, but the victories came at a price. Defenseman Mike Philippi did not play on Saturday night after leaving the game with an unspecified lower-body injury on Saturday, and assistant captain Mark Bernier appears to have a separated shoulder that may end his sophomore season early. Bernier was crunched into the board in the Maverick defensive zone in the second period. The no-call on the play had head coach Mike Kemp giving referee Mark Shegos a piece of his mind when the period ended.

Mick Lawrence nearly notched a hat trick in the Sunday victory. The Mavs return home to face the Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks at the Qwest Center on Jan. 11-12. Friday's game will be aired on CSTV.

Mavericks on Television

2007-12-31T13:38:00.000-06:00

According to Inside College Hockey's TV schedule:

Saturday, Jan. 6 - UNO @ WMU - ESPNU, 4 p.m. EST
Friday, Jan. 11 -- Miami-Ohio @ UNO - CSTV - 8 p.m. EST
Friday, Feb. 1 -- (It's on TV, but may be Comcast Local)
Saturday, Feb. 2 - UNO @ MSU - FSN Detroit - 4 p.m. EST
Saturday, Feb. 9 - Ohio State @ UNO - CSTV - 8 p.m. EST

James C. Semerad Memorial Hockey Scholarship Fund

2007-12-20T15:09:00.000-06:00

According to the Winter 2007 "One Nebraska" ("News From the University of Nebraska Foundation") newsletter, the estate of Jim Semerad has endowed the "James C. Semerad Memorial Hockey Scholarship Fund" for UNO hockey players who attend summer session classes at UNO.

Jim was a true friend to UNO hockey ... one of founding members of the Blue Line Club and the original leader of the BLC Luncheon committee. Jim died unexpectedly in 2004, and it's neat to see his name continue to be associated with Maverick Hockey.

In the article, UNO Athletic Director David Miller said, "The demand in intercollegiate athletics makes it very important for student-athletes to continue their education through the summer. We appreciate the Semerad gift because it helps our fine young men continue their educational endeavors."

The article concludes with, "Semerad was instrumental in bringing hockey to UNO in the 1990s."

-- Photo courtesy of Creative Association Management

The Coach Kemp Show

2007-12-18T16:14:00.000-06:00

A couple of us were sitting around Indigo Joe's after a Mike Kemp Show a few weeks back and we made a list of the places where the Coach's show has been held throughout the team's history.

For posterity's sake, here it is:
2007-08 Indigo Joe's
2006-07 Indigo Joe's
2005-06 Stevie J's (no longer in business)
2004-05 Sammy Sortino's (no longer in business)
2003-04 Red Eye Tavern (no longer in business)
2002-03 DJ's Dugout
2001-02 DJ's Dugout
2000-01 Chili Greens (no longer in business)
1999-00 Clancy's Pub (114th & Dodge location)
1998-99 Old Chicago (downtown location)
1997-98 Ameristar Casino

Ohio State Games Will be Webcast

2007-11-07T08:40:00.000-06:00

Thursday and Friday's Maverick Hockey games will be available on "Buckeye Vision" -- Ohio State's athletic department online access program.

Order the games on
http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com

The cost is $9.95 for "one month" subscription (which will get you both games, plus the audio for Saturday's football game vs. Illinois, and many of their other sports and extras).

Log in before game time to check to see if your computer meets and audio and video requirements (they've got a little thing that will test your system). Then view both games, 11/8 and 11/9 at 6:05 p.m. CST.

You can also "chat" live online in the Mavpuck Chat Room.

Mavs Unveil New Red Road Jersey

2007-10-16T08:01:00.000-05:00

The Mavericks will be sporting a new "away" jersey when they hit the road on Oct. 26-27 at Miami University (Ohio). The new jersey features "UNO" and a player number instead of "Nebraska-Omaha" across the front of the jersey.

Lawlor's Custom Sportwewar will have a limited number of jerseys available for sale. Prices have not yet been set, but you can pre-order yours by indicated your interest on Mavpuck.

Stampede Shaping Up to Support Breast Cancer

2007-09-21T16:36:00.000-05:00

While the details are still being worked out, it looks like the theme of this year's Maverick Stampede might be: Think Pink!

It all started when Coach Kemp got a call from Coach Blasi at Miami of Ohio, asking if the Mavs would be willing to wear pink skate laces and sport pink ribbons for cancer on their helmets during the matchup Oct. 26-27 in Oxford, as the Redhawks were using their games in October to raise the profile of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and raise money for breast cancer research. The Mavs, naturally, said yes.

Then, from what I understand, it evolved into somewhat of a contest -- which program could raise more money for breast cancer research in the month of October? The Redhawks have five games, and the Mavs have two (both Stampede games). But we have about five times the potential attendance.

Now, word comes that the UNO marketing staff, the NU Foundation, and the team are taking this to a whole NEW level ... one not seen by UNO to this point in time. I got word that Coach Kemp is ordering pink jerseys for the event (and they're looking for a sponsor for that, so they can auction them off, if you know of any companies that might be interested).

Should be interesting! I'll have more on this as it develops.

UNO Marketing Ideas for 2007-08

2007-09-14T23:24:00.000-05:00

Mavericks Wanted.
Mav Hockey: It Gets Inside You.
"Maverick Mojo."

We've had some less-than-memorable Mav Hockey branding in the past. I haven't seen anything yet this season, so I can't tell you if things have improved. But I will tell you what would make a big difference. A bobblehead. Specifically, a Coach Kemp bobblehead.

Not really. I'm kidding. (Not about wanting a Coach Kemp bobblehead. About that, I couldn't be more serious.) I'm kidding about one bobblehead making a difference after a long period of less-than-groundbreaking ideas and execution in UNO hockey marketing and positioning.

This year is an opportunity. It's year 11. We've got a new sheriff in town, and his name is David Miller. He's brought new life to the department, shaking up ticket operations, putting the kibosh on "mandatory donations" and instituting a new $99 season ticket option that has already won UNO new fans.

Now it's time to step it up. Let's have fewer "in-crowd impersonators" (Napoleon Dynamite, Will Ferrell), and more genuine ingenuity. The students are amped up, I've heard the band is revamped, and this season is like a throwback to 1997. Nick Fohr is back. Dave Noel-Bernier is back.

Life is good. Now let's see some action.

Offseason Jersey Auction Nets $4,000+ for Program

2007-08-23T08:31:00.000-05:00

The auction of 12 gameworn third jerseys netted the UNO Blue Line Club more than $4700. The first auction was completed in April; the second auction wrapped up earlier this month.

The jerseys were sold in two batches of six, including a mix of current and graduating players. The eBay auction yielded $394 per jersey, on average.

There are no current plans to auction of any more of the jerseys; however, if more jerseys will become available, information will be available on Mavpuck.

New info, as of 9/21/07: It looks like we'll have another six-jersey auction to kick off the 2007-08 hockey season. Stay tuned for more details!

Quinn Waller Not Coming to UNO After All

2007-08-20T08:58:00.000-05:00

UNO hockey recruit Quinn Waller was not academically eligible for the 2007-08 season, and will instead attend Division III Adrian College.

UNO's roster is online. It will be finalized Monday, Aug. 27, as classes start that day.

Coyotes Sign Thomas to One Year Contract

2007-07-14T11:20:00.000-05:00

The Phoenix Coyotes signed right-winger Bill Thomas to a one-year contract on Friday. Thomas played for the University of Nebraska Mavericks from 2004 to 2006.

Hockey Season Kicks Off Oct. 19

2007-07-13T18:07:00.000-05:00

The UNO Maverick Stampede is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20.

The University of Alabama-Huntsville will take on Canisius in the 4:05 p.m. game, while the University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks will meet up with the University of Manitoba Bison in the 7:05 contest.

Unlike previous years, UNO will not face Manitoba in a pre-season exhibition. Due to a scheduling conflict with Stampede opponents, UNO needed to fill out the tournament field.

For ticket information, call 554-MAVS.