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Omaha Lancers

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Omaha Lancers
CityOmaha, Nebraska
LeagueUnited States Hockey League
ConferenceWestern
Founded1986
Home arenaLiberty First Credit Union Arena
ColorsOrange, black, white
     
Owner(s)Mike Picozzi[1]
Head coachDavid Wilkie
MediaFloHockey & MixIr (Broadcaster Frank Zawrazky)
Franchise history
1986–2002Omaha Lancers
2002–2004River City Lancers
2004–presentOmaha Lancers
Championships
Regular season titles5 Anderson Cups (1989–90, 1992–93, 2001–02, 2004–05 (shared), 2007–08)
Playoff championships7 Clark Cups (1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2001, 2008)
2 USA Hockey Junior National Championships (2001, 2008)

The Omaha Lancers are a Tier I junior ice hockey team and are members of the Western Conference of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Founded in 1986, the Lancers play at the Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Ralston, Nebraska. Previous arenas of use include the Omaha Civic Auditorium, Mid-America Center, Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum, and Motto McLean Ice Arena.

The Lancers have claimed a league-record seven Clark Cup championships as playoff champions, five Anderson Cup titles as regular season champions, and two USA Hockey national championships.[2] In addition, the Lancers have aided in the development of hundreds of NCAA Division I hockey players, National Hockey League (NHL) draft picks, and dozens of NHL players.

History

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In 2014, the majority ownership of the Lancers was bought by Crossbar Down, LLC, led by Anthony DiCesare, from the American Hockey Group, Inc, who had owned the franchise since 2004.[3]

On July 10, 2021, Chadd Cassidy was hired as head coach and general manager.[4] During the 2021–22 season, the players boycotted the team and the coaching staff resigned on November 18 citing operational budget cuts causing inadequate player treatment and coaching the resources. The league then postponed the three scheduled weekend games and placed team president Dave DeLuca on administrative leave.[5][6][7] Former Fort Wayne Komets' head coach Gary Graham was then brought in as interim head coach and the league designated Josh Mervis to oversee operations of the team while an investigation into the operations of the team was underway.[8] In January 2022, the majority ownership of the Lancers was transferred from Anthony DiCesare to Mike Picozzi.[1]

NHL alumni

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  • Keith Ballard: Phoenix Coyotes (2004–2008), Florida Panthers (2008–2010), Vancouver Canucks (2010–2013), Minnesota Wild (2013–2015)
  • Jacob Bryson: Buffalo Sabres
  • Thatcher Demko: Vancouver Canucks
  • Ryan Donato: Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken
  • Dan Ellis: Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers
  • Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson: Boston Bruins
  • Erik Haula: Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils
  • Louis Leblanc: Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks
  • Alex Lyon: Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers
  • Ryan Malone: Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–2008), Tampa Bay Lightning (2008–2014), New York Rangers (2014–2015)
  • Will O'Neill: Philadelphia Flyers
  • Jed Ortmeyer: New York Rangers, Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers
  • Tucker Poolman: Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks
  • Trevor Smith: Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins
  • Paul Stastny: Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, Vegas Golden Knights, Winnipeg Jets, Carolina Hurricanes
  • Akira Schmid: New Jersey Devils

References

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  1. ^ a b "USHL, Omaha Lancers Announce New Majority Owner". OurSports Central. January 28, 2022.
  2. ^ "Team History". Omaha Lancers. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  3. ^ "New Lancers owner seeks to 'build on team's success'". Omaha World-Herald. October 7, 2014. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023.
  4. ^ "Lancers Name Chadd Cassidy as Head Coach, General Manager". OurSports Central. July 10, 2021.
  5. ^ "Breaking News: Firestorm in Omaha". The Hockey News. November 18, 2021.
  6. ^ "USHL's Omaha Lancers idle as player treatment investigated". NBC Sports. November 19, 2021.
  7. ^ "Junior hockey team postpones weekend games amid chaos in program". KLKN-TV. November 19, 2021.
  8. ^ "USHL Update on the Omaha Lancers". OurSports Central. November 20, 2021.
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