Oct 27, 2026 | Hockey
OMAHA – Omaha Athletics will make history Friday, Nov. 6, at Baxter Arena on Kemp Ice as former Maverick standout, captain of Omaha's 2015 Frozen Four team, Stanley Cup champion and 2026 Olympic gold medalist Jake Guentzel becomes the first player in Omaha Athletics history to have his jersey retired.
"We are thrilled to celebrate Jake Guentzel and his family with this historic milestone as we retire his jersey, the first in Omaha Hockey history. Jake's career accomplishments are truly unrivaled, from helping lead our program to its first Frozen Four to becoming a Stanley Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist. What makes this recognition especially meaningful, however, is the lasting impact Jake has had on Omaha Hockey and the standard of excellence he continues to set for future generations of Mavericks," said Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Adrian Dowell. "Jake's remarkable journey from hometown talent to one of the game's elite players is a testament to what is possible and an enduring source of pride for our university and the entire Omaha community."
The Omaha native played three seasons for the Mavericks from 2013-16, establishing himself as one of the program's most accomplished players before beginning a successful career in the National Hockey League.
During his time at Omaha, Guentzel appeared in 108 games, recording 119 points on 40 goals and 79 assists. He led the Mavericks in scoring in each of his final two seasons and played a pivotal role in Omaha's historic run to its first NCAA Frozen Four appearance in 2015.
As a freshman in 2013-14, Guentzel recorded seven goals and 27 assists for 34 points, finishing one point shy of tying the program's freshman scoring record. His performance earned him NCHC All-Rookie Team honors, and he was named a finalist for NCHC Rookie of the Year.
Guentzel continued his success during the 2014-15 campaign, registering 14 goals and 25 assists for 39 points. He helped lead the Mavericks to their first Frozen Four appearance, scoring Omaha's lone goal in the national semifinal against Providence. He earned All-NCHC honorable mention recognition following his sophomore season.
In his final season with the Mavericks, Guentzel recorded a career-high 46 points on 19 goals and 27 assists in 35 games. He earned second-team All-NCHC honors and was named NCHC Offensive Player of the Week twice. He also became the 14th player in program history to reach 100 career points.
"It was great to hear that Jake Guentzel is having his jersey retired. With what Jake accomplished as a student athlete, and now as a professional and Olympian, no one is more deserving of this honor," said Mike Kemp the Special Advisor to the Director of Athletics. "Jake and his wife, Natalie, who is a Omaha soccer alumna, are tremendous examples of the quality of Maverick athletes."
Following his collegiate career, Guentzel began his professional career in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization after being selected in the third round, 77th overall, of the 2013 NHL Draft.
Guentzel made his NHL debut with Pittsburgh on Nov. 21, 2016, scoring twice against the New York Rangers, including a goal on his first NHL shift. He went on to help the Penguins capture the 2017 Stanley Cup, establishing NHL postseason records for goals and points by an American-born rookie.
During Pittsburgh's championship run, Guentzel recorded 13 goals and eight assists for 21 points in 25 playoff games, including the game-winning goals in Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Nashville Predators.
Throughout his NHL career, Guentzel has established himself as one of the league's premier offensive forwards. He has played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning, earning an NHL All-Star selection in 2022 and recording multiple 40-goal seasons.
In 2025-26, Guentzel recorded 37 goals and 48 assists for 85 points in 81 games with Tampa Bay, continuing his success at the professional level.
Guentzel added another historic accomplishment to his career in February 2026, helping Team USA capture the gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games in Milan, Italy.
The United States defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime in the Gold-Medal Game on Feb. 22, securing its first Olympic gold medal in men's hockey since 1980. Guentzel appeared in all six games for Team USA, recording one goal as the Americans finished the tournament undefeated.
Before representing the United States at the Olympics, Guentzel made his senior international debut at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, recording three goals in four games.
Born in Omaha on Oct. 6, 1994, Guentzel's connection to the city and the Mavericks extends beyond his playing career. His father, Mike Guentzel, served as an assistant coach for Omaha during the 2010-11 season.
From helping lead Omaha to its first Frozen Four to capturing a Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal, Guentzel's accomplishments have made him one of the most decorated alumni in Omaha Hockey history.
"Jake is an important part of the history of Omaha Hockey, and having his jersey retired is a special moment for our program," Omaha head coach Mike Gabinet said. "From his time as a Maverick to winning an Olympic gold medal and building an outstanding career at the highest levels of the game, he represents the kind of success that makes our program proud. We're excited to celebrate his accomplishments and the legacy he leaves for future generations of Mavericks."
The retirement of his jersey marks a historic milestone for Omaha Athletics and honors a Maverick whose impact continues to extend far beyond the ice.
"Omaha means a lot to me and my family. Some of my best memories are from my time there, both on and off the ice," Jake Guentzel said. "Having my jersey retired is pretty special, and I'm really grateful for the honor and everyone who was part of those years."
Guentzel received his undergraduate degree from Omaha in December 2017.
Guentzel's jersey retirement will be held in conjunction with the 2026 Omaha Athletics Hall of Fame weekend, which will welcome four new inductees: Chris Cooper (football), Jake Guentzel (hockey), Mike Kemp (hockey head coach) and Anastasia Kyvelidou (track and field).
The 2026 Hall of Fame class will be recognized during Omaha Hockey's matchup against St. Cloud State on Friday, Nov. 6 at Baxter Arena. Maverick fans are encouraged to be part of this historic night and help sell out Baxter Arena as Omaha Hockey honors four of its all-time greats. Tickets are available now at Omahamavs.com/Tickets.
The class will be formally inducted Saturday, Nov. 7, during the UNO Alumni Association's Honors Brunch at the Thompson Alumni Center.
Connect with Omaha Hockey on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, @OmahaHKY.
"We are thrilled to celebrate Jake Guentzel and his family with this historic milestone as we retire his jersey, the first in Omaha Hockey history. Jake's career accomplishments are truly unrivaled, from helping lead our program to its first Frozen Four to becoming a Stanley Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist. What makes this recognition especially meaningful, however, is the lasting impact Jake has had on Omaha Hockey and the standard of excellence he continues to set for future generations of Mavericks," said Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Adrian Dowell. "Jake's remarkable journey from hometown talent to one of the game's elite players is a testament to what is possible and an enduring source of pride for our university and the entire Omaha community."
The Omaha native played three seasons for the Mavericks from 2013-16, establishing himself as one of the program's most accomplished players before beginning a successful career in the National Hockey League.
During his time at Omaha, Guentzel appeared in 108 games, recording 119 points on 40 goals and 79 assists. He led the Mavericks in scoring in each of his final two seasons and played a pivotal role in Omaha's historic run to its first NCAA Frozen Four appearance in 2015.
As a freshman in 2013-14, Guentzel recorded seven goals and 27 assists for 34 points, finishing one point shy of tying the program's freshman scoring record. His performance earned him NCHC All-Rookie Team honors, and he was named a finalist for NCHC Rookie of the Year.
Guentzel continued his success during the 2014-15 campaign, registering 14 goals and 25 assists for 39 points. He helped lead the Mavericks to their first Frozen Four appearance, scoring Omaha's lone goal in the national semifinal against Providence. He earned All-NCHC honorable mention recognition following his sophomore season.
In his final season with the Mavericks, Guentzel recorded a career-high 46 points on 19 goals and 27 assists in 35 games. He earned second-team All-NCHC honors and was named NCHC Offensive Player of the Week twice. He also became the 14th player in program history to reach 100 career points.
"It was great to hear that Jake Guentzel is having his jersey retired. With what Jake accomplished as a student athlete, and now as a professional and Olympian, no one is more deserving of this honor," said Mike Kemp the Special Advisor to the Director of Athletics. "Jake and his wife, Natalie, who is a Omaha soccer alumna, are tremendous examples of the quality of Maverick athletes."
Following his collegiate career, Guentzel began his professional career in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization after being selected in the third round, 77th overall, of the 2013 NHL Draft.
Guentzel made his NHL debut with Pittsburgh on Nov. 21, 2016, scoring twice against the New York Rangers, including a goal on his first NHL shift. He went on to help the Penguins capture the 2017 Stanley Cup, establishing NHL postseason records for goals and points by an American-born rookie.
During Pittsburgh's championship run, Guentzel recorded 13 goals and eight assists for 21 points in 25 playoff games, including the game-winning goals in Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Nashville Predators.
Throughout his NHL career, Guentzel has established himself as one of the league's premier offensive forwards. He has played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning, earning an NHL All-Star selection in 2022 and recording multiple 40-goal seasons.
In 2025-26, Guentzel recorded 37 goals and 48 assists for 85 points in 81 games with Tampa Bay, continuing his success at the professional level.
Guentzel added another historic accomplishment to his career in February 2026, helping Team USA capture the gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games in Milan, Italy.
The United States defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime in the Gold-Medal Game on Feb. 22, securing its first Olympic gold medal in men's hockey since 1980. Guentzel appeared in all six games for Team USA, recording one goal as the Americans finished the tournament undefeated.
Before representing the United States at the Olympics, Guentzel made his senior international debut at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, recording three goals in four games.
Born in Omaha on Oct. 6, 1994, Guentzel's connection to the city and the Mavericks extends beyond his playing career. His father, Mike Guentzel, served as an assistant coach for Omaha during the 2010-11 season.
From helping lead Omaha to its first Frozen Four to capturing a Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal, Guentzel's accomplishments have made him one of the most decorated alumni in Omaha Hockey history.
"Jake is an important part of the history of Omaha Hockey, and having his jersey retired is a special moment for our program," Omaha head coach Mike Gabinet said. "From his time as a Maverick to winning an Olympic gold medal and building an outstanding career at the highest levels of the game, he represents the kind of success that makes our program proud. We're excited to celebrate his accomplishments and the legacy he leaves for future generations of Mavericks."
The retirement of his jersey marks a historic milestone for Omaha Athletics and honors a Maverick whose impact continues to extend far beyond the ice.
"Omaha means a lot to me and my family. Some of my best memories are from my time there, both on and off the ice," Jake Guentzel said. "Having my jersey retired is pretty special, and I'm really grateful for the honor and everyone who was part of those years."
Guentzel received his undergraduate degree from Omaha in December 2017.
Guentzel's jersey retirement will be held in conjunction with the 2026 Omaha Athletics Hall of Fame weekend, which will welcome four new inductees: Chris Cooper (football), Jake Guentzel (hockey), Mike Kemp (hockey head coach) and Anastasia Kyvelidou (track and field).
The 2026 Hall of Fame class will be recognized during Omaha Hockey's matchup against St. Cloud State on Friday, Nov. 6 at Baxter Arena. Maverick fans are encouraged to be part of this historic night and help sell out Baxter Arena as Omaha Hockey honors four of its all-time greats. Tickets are available now at Omahamavs.com/Tickets.
The class will be formally inducted Saturday, Nov. 7, during the UNO Alumni Association's Honors Brunch at the Thompson Alumni Center.
Connect with Omaha Hockey on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, @OmahaHKY.
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