Mavericks Host Annual Media Day
Oct 4, 2013 | Hockey
OMAHA, Neb. - Amid a swirl of fog on the ice of the CenturyLink Center, the Omaha hockey team held its annual media day with members of the local Omaha news media.
Reporters from the three major network affiliates, the Omaha World-Herald, USCHO.com, AM 590 and The Gateway, UNO's student newspaper, were on hand to speak with players and Coach Dean Blais about the upcoming season. The Mavericks begin play on Monday, Oct. 7 when they host the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) at 7:07 p.m.
Many of the questions were reserved for Ryan Walters, the Mavericks' left wing who returns for his senior season following an All-American campaign last year when he netted 52 points, tying him with Scott Parse for second-most all-time in a single season.
Walters certainly isn't UNO's only offensive weapon. Also returning are juniors Josh Archibald and Dominic Zombo who finished 2-3 in scoring behind Walters. Both had career bests in points last year, Archibald with 36 and Zombo with 35. Archibald finished second to Walters with 19 goals while Zombo was second to Walters with 23 assists.
On defense, senior captain Michael Young and junior Jaycob Megna figure to log plenty of ice time. Brian O'Rourke returns to the blue line after playing nearly all of last season at right wing while sophomores Brian Cooper and Nick Seeler look to make the next step after solid freshman campaigns. Rookies Ian Brady and Matt Youso will be counted on to contribute immediately as the Mavericks will carry just seven defensemen.
Junior Ryan Massa is UNO's only goaltender with college experience. After playing in only three games last year, he will be expected to set the tone for the season while mentoring freshman netminders Reed Peters and Kirk Thompson.
UNO features a corps of eight freshmen who have impressive resumes. Jake Guentzel was the rookie of the year in the United States Hockey League last year, leading Sioux City with 73 points. Austin Ortega played for Indiana and Fargo, amassing 60 points between the two teams. He helped the Force to a runner-up finish in the Clark Cup finals.
Following Monday's exhibition game, the Mavericks host Bentley of Atlantic Hockey on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12. Friday's game begins at 7:37 p.m., and Saturday's game starts at 7:07 p.m.
Reporters from the three major network affiliates, the Omaha World-Herald, USCHO.com, AM 590 and The Gateway, UNO's student newspaper, were on hand to speak with players and Coach Dean Blais about the upcoming season. The Mavericks begin play on Monday, Oct. 7 when they host the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) at 7:07 p.m.
Many of the questions were reserved for Ryan Walters, the Mavericks' left wing who returns for his senior season following an All-American campaign last year when he netted 52 points, tying him with Scott Parse for second-most all-time in a single season.
Walters certainly isn't UNO's only offensive weapon. Also returning are juniors Josh Archibald and Dominic Zombo who finished 2-3 in scoring behind Walters. Both had career bests in points last year, Archibald with 36 and Zombo with 35. Archibald finished second to Walters with 19 goals while Zombo was second to Walters with 23 assists.
On defense, senior captain Michael Young and junior Jaycob Megna figure to log plenty of ice time. Brian O'Rourke returns to the blue line after playing nearly all of last season at right wing while sophomores Brian Cooper and Nick Seeler look to make the next step after solid freshman campaigns. Rookies Ian Brady and Matt Youso will be counted on to contribute immediately as the Mavericks will carry just seven defensemen.
Junior Ryan Massa is UNO's only goaltender with college experience. After playing in only three games last year, he will be expected to set the tone for the season while mentoring freshman netminders Reed Peters and Kirk Thompson.
UNO features a corps of eight freshmen who have impressive resumes. Jake Guentzel was the rookie of the year in the United States Hockey League last year, leading Sioux City with 73 points. Austin Ortega played for Indiana and Fargo, amassing 60 points between the two teams. He helped the Force to a runner-up finish in the Clark Cup finals.
Following Monday's exhibition game, the Mavericks host Bentley of Atlantic Hockey on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12. Friday's game begins at 7:37 p.m., and Saturday's game starts at 7:07 p.m.
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