Nov 6, 2026 | General, Hockey
Mike Kemp, the first coach for Omaha hockey, feels honored to be inducted into the school's athletics hall of fame. Kemp is just as honored to be in the same induction class as Jake Guentzel, the player synonymous with excellence within the Maverick program.
"It's so special to go in with somebody who has accomplished what he's accomplished," said Kemp, one of four individuals who will be inducted on Nov. 6. "He was a great player at this level and then going on to be our first Olympic gold medal winner, being the first NHL all-star."
In what has has been memorable 2026 for Guentzel, the winger will not only be inducted into his school's hall of fame, but he also will be the first Maverick hockey player to have his jersey retired. This year started with Guentzel playing in all six games for Team USA at the Milan Olympics as the Americans won the gold medal for the first time.
"Omaha means a lot to me and my family," 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, who was born in Omaha, saw his hockey career start to flourish as he started - and starred - for the three seasons with the Mavericks in the mid-2010s. Guentzel was a scoring threat every night for the Mavericks. He finished his Omaha career with 40 goals and 79 assists in 108 games. He helped Omaha reach its only Frozen Four appearance in 2015.
Guentzel, who was selected in the third round of the 2013 NHL draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, decided to forego his senior year at Omaha to pursue his NHL dreams. At 5-foot-11, 176 pounds, Kemp admits he wasn't sure how someone Guentzel's size would handle the physical play in the pros.
The answer has been no problem.
"The secret to his success is that his hockey IQ is so much greater than the average player," Kemp said.
Guentzel dazzled in his rookie debut in 2016Â He became the first rookie in Pittsburgh history to have a hat trick in a playoff game as Pittsburgh went on to win the Stanley Cup. He would play eight seasons with the Penguins and was named an NHL all-star in 2020 and 2022.
Now with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Guentzel has had some of his most productive seasons in recent years. He scored a career-best 41 goals during the 2024-25 season, and last year he finished with a career-high 88 points. He has more than 300 goals and 350 assists during his NHL career.
Omaha coach Mike Gabinet knows what it means to have someone of Guentzel's caliber come from Omaha.
"It's great to have such a great ambassador for the program who not only is a superstar on the ice but who is so down-to-earth and stays connected with the people he knew when he was here," Gabinet said.
"It's so special to go in with somebody who has accomplished what he's accomplished," said Kemp, one of four individuals who will be inducted on Nov. 6. "He was a great player at this level and then going on to be our first Olympic gold medal winner, being the first NHL all-star."
In what has has been memorable 2026 for Guentzel, the winger will not only be inducted into his school's hall of fame, but he also will be the first Maverick hockey player to have his jersey retired. This year started with Guentzel playing in all six games for Team USA at the Milan Olympics as the Americans won the gold medal for the first time.
"Omaha means a lot to me and my family," 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, who was born in Omaha, saw his hockey career start to flourish as he started - and starred - for the three seasons with the Mavericks in the mid-2010s. Guentzel was a scoring threat every night for the Mavericks. He finished his Omaha career with 40 goals and 79 assists in 108 games. He helped Omaha reach its only Frozen Four appearance in 2015.
Guentzel, who was selected in the third round of the 2013 NHL draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, decided to forego his senior year at Omaha to pursue his NHL dreams. At 5-foot-11, 176 pounds, Kemp admits he wasn't sure how someone Guentzel's size would handle the physical play in the pros.
The answer has been no problem.
"The secret to his success is that his hockey IQ is so much greater than the average player," Kemp said.
Guentzel dazzled in his rookie debut in 2016Â He became the first rookie in Pittsburgh history to have a hat trick in a playoff game as Pittsburgh went on to win the Stanley Cup. He would play eight seasons with the Penguins and was named an NHL all-star in 2020 and 2022.
Now with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Guentzel has had some of his most productive seasons in recent years. He scored a career-best 41 goals during the 2024-25 season, and last year he finished with a career-high 88 points. He has more than 300 goals and 350 assists during his NHL career.
Omaha coach Mike Gabinet knows what it means to have someone of Guentzel's caliber come from Omaha.
"It's great to have such a great ambassador for the program who not only is a superstar on the ice but who is so down-to-earth and stays connected with the people he knew when he was here," Gabinet said.
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