OMAHA — With a 17-36-6-3 record, the Omaha Lancers finished with the fewest wins since the 1988-89 season (15).
The organization saw just five players eclipse the 20-point mark in 2022-23, led by forward Alex Bump, who recorded 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in 32 games. The Western Michigan commit was a trade deadline acquisition by Tri-City.
The Lancers sustained four losing streaks of at least six games, including two seven-game losing streaks. Once Omaha started the nosedive, it was hard for them to right the ship.
The 2022-23 season saw the emergence of Michael Hrabal as one of the USHL’s best netminders. Coming over from his native Czechia, the UMass commit was a pillar in net for Omaha, recording a 2.86 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage with three shutouts in 31 games played.
Hrabal was one of the few bright spots on the Lancers roster last season, and his production attracted the attention of the Arizona Coyotes, who selected the 6-foot-6 goalie in the second round, 38th overall, of the 2023 NHL Draft.
As with many teams, Omaha will turn over much of its roster while they search for answers in 2023-24.
Key Departures
Tanner Rowe, F
Griffin Jurecki, F
Drew Montgomery, F
Reese Laubach, F
Adam Cardona, D
Kevin Pasche, G
Michael Hrabal, G
William Smith, D
Vincent Salice, F
Luke Baker, D (traded to Green Bay)
Key Returners
Nick Pierre, F
Jamison Sluys, F
Chase Cheslock, D
Aleksi Kivioja, F
Justin Stupka, F
Libor Nemec, F
Ryan Kusler, F
Tucker Shedd, D
Donovan Hamilton, D
Will Diamond, F
Oskar Siemionek, G
Liam Beerman, G
Key Acquisitions
Ethan Fredericks, F (acquired from Muskegon)
Croix Kochendorfer, G (acquired from Sioux City)
Will Elger, F (2023 USHL Phase II Draft)
Daniel Shlaine, F (2023 USHL Phase II Draft)
Tender Signings
None
Three Keys To 2023-24
Replacing Hrabal
With Hrabal departing for UMass perhaps a year earlier than expected, the Lancers will look to establish his replacement.
On Wednesday, Omaha took a significant step toward achieving that, acquiring former Sioux City netminder Croix Kochendorfer. The 19-year-old netminder played quite a bit for the Musketeers down the stretch and posted solid numbers in his first USHL season.
In 30 games, Kochendorfer posted a 3.01 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage with two shutouts.
Growth In Returning Group
Certainly, Omaha will rely on their returning group to take the necessary steps to avoid another 17-win season.
Forward Ryan Kusler will return as the Lancers top-point producer from last season. Like Bump, he is committed to Western Michigan and recorded 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 56 games in his first USHL season.
Now, he will be tasked with doing more.
Along the blueline, Tucker Shedd highlights the returning defensemen. The 18-year-old recorded 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 49 games in 2022-23. He will be a key third-year player for Omaha this year.
While the Lancers were in sell mode, acquiring future assets, the team made a really nice acquisition in veteran forward Nick Pierre. The Merrimack commit is back for another year. He has championship experience, winning a Clark Cup with Sioux City in 2021-22.
Pierre could not get it going in Cedar Rapids, but he quietly ended the season on a positive note, scoring 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 19 games.
Among the returning group for Omaha are Jamison Sluys, Justin Stupka, Donovan Hamilton, and Will Diamond.
More Offensive Production
The Lancers scored the fewest goals (140) in the USHL by a wide margin, highlighted by their inability to do much on the power play. Omaha converted at just 14.8%, which was only slightly better than their rate (13.5%) in 2021-22.
The team failed to see any of their skaters reach 30 points in a season. For added context, Omaha had four skaters in 2021-22 achieve that mark. It's not overly impressive by any means, but it's certainly better than last year’s showing.
Over the summer, the Lancers acquired forward Ethan Fredericks after he spent last year split between Des Moines and Muskegon. Combined, the Northeastern commit tallied 13 goals and 18 points in 54 games.
In the 2023 USHL Phase II Draft, Omaha selected forward Will Elger, who had a breakout campaign in the BCHL last year. The Westerville, Ohio native erupted for 18 goals and 29 assists in 52 games. His 47 points were the second-most on the Alberni roster.
Elger added 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 19 games, helping Alberni Valley Bulldogs reach the Fred Page Cup Finals.
* Key Depatures/Returners are estimated based on the team's protected list and announced NCAA rosters