There will be something new heading into this UNO hockey season.
That is, the NCAA rule allowing players from the Canadian Hockey League to be eligible to compete on the college front. The Mavericks have several of those players on their 26-man roster, and it’s something coach Mike Gabinet says will be a positive.
“I think you’re going to see the level of college hockey increase,” he said. “It was already at a super-high level, and I think now it’s going to be the best we’ve ever seen.”
Gabinet spoke Wednesday at the team’s annual Media Day at Baxter Arena. He was joined by senior defenseman Griffin Ludtke and sophomore forward Brett Hyland, one of the newcomers to the squad.
A ruling in November of 2024 allowed CHL players to begin competing at the NCAA Division I level effective Aug. 1. Previously, those players had been considered professionals and barred because of the NCAA’s amateurism rules.
At the 2024 NHL draft, the top two picks played collegiate hockey but eight of the top 13 selections were playing in the CHL.
“It feels like every year there’s some type of change,” Gabinet said. “You’ve just got to adapt and keep evolving.”
The coach added the new rule made more than 1,700 eligible to play collegiately, with the vast majority being Canadian.
“It’s always a little more difficult for us to expose people to Omaha with our footprint and our location,” Gabinet said. “To have more people talking about Omaha and getting the experience to play here will be a positive, and we’re excited about our new additions.”
One is Hyland, who had 76 goals and 75 assists in five seasons in the Western Hockey League. He had 16 goals and 21 assists at the University of Alberta last season.
“We’ve had a good two months of practice and we’re all really eager to see what we can put together,” Hyland said. “We’re ready to get going.”
He added the Mavs’ returning players have made the newcomers feel welcome.
“They’ve done a great job of taking us in,” he said. “It’s tough coming into a new place and you’re not really sure what to expect, but the older guys have led the way for us.”
One of those “older guys” is Ludtke, a co-captain along with senior goalie Simon Latkoczy.
“There’s been a lot of anticipation leading up to this year with the rule change and the roster additions we made in the offseason,” he said. “We’ve been going at it now for five or six weeks and everyone’s hungry here with something to prove.”
Ludtke added that hunger has led to some spirited workouts.
“I think this is the most intense our practices have ever been,” he said. “The guys that have been brought in have elevated our standard to a new level, which has been fun to see as a senior.”
Ludtke stayed with the program for his final year while his younger brother Tanner, who missed most of last season due to injury, transferred to Minnesota.
“Omaha is home to me, and there are so many people within the organization and outside of it that are near and dear to me,” he said. “As far as a feeling of unfinished business, I just feel like we need to be focused on the present.”
The Mavs will hold an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Baxter Arena. That will be followed by an open skate with the players.
There is no charge for either event.
“The scrimmage is something we started a couple of years ago and I love it because there are people watching,” Gabinet said. “We’ll get maybe 10 at practice but having the fans there changes the dynamic.”
The Mavs will host an exhibition game Oct. 3 against Air Force before starting the regular season Oct. 10-11 at home against Minnesota State.
mike.patterson@owh.com, 402-444-1350, twitter.com/MPattersonOWH
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