About the Hockey Team
The Omaha Lancers are coming at you with another hot season of on-ice action. This hockey team has been killing it with a strong record of some of the best home games in the USHL. Fans are already glued to their seats before this team even hits the ice, because they know what follows is always going to be some of the most stunning hockey action ever.
And who can blame them? After all, the Lancers have claimed multiple Clark Cup championships, several Anderson Cup titles, and two USA Hockey national championships. On top of that, the Lancers have been key to developing hundreds of the best NCAA Division I hockey players, NHL draft picks, and dozens of NHL players.
They are the team to watch every season and you can score the best tickets for their games at Liberty First Credit Union Arena via this website.
About Omaha Hockey Arena
The Liberty First Credit Union Arena was first opened to the public on October 19, 2012. The arena was originally known as the Ralston Arena or the Ralston Sports and Event Center and is located in Ralston, Nebraska, a suburb of Omaha. It is currently home to the Omaha Lancers of the USHL and the Omaha Beef of Champions Indoor Football and was once home to the Omaha Mavericks NCAA Division I men’s basketball team
besides Lancers games, the venue was also used for the VEX Robotics Nationals competition in 2013 as well as the venue for the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association Division 1 roller derby Playoffs.
Capacity
Though the arena is smaller and more intimate than many others, it is still designed to accommodate a variety of activities including concerts, basketball games, and hockey games. The arena is also available for a variety of trade shows and conventions, but it is likely best known for Omaha Lancers games and related events.
Here’s a brief note on the capacity seating for these events.
- 4,356 – (End Stage Concert)
- 4,600 – (NCAA Div I Basketball)
- 4,000 – (USHL Hockey)
Team Summary
The Omaha Lancers are a Tier I Junior Ice Hockey team who play in the Western conference of the US Hockey League (USHL). The team was founded in 1986 where the team was known as the Omaha Lancers. They kept the name until 2002 when the team was rebranded as the River City Lancers. But eventually the team returned to their original identity and name from 2004 through to the present day.
Recent History
In 2021, Chadd Cassidy was hired as the team’s head coach and general manager. However, this decision was met with criticism that led to the players boycotting the team during the 2021-22 season and the coaching staff resigning on November18 citing operational budget cuts that caused inadequate player treatment. Eventually, the team’s ownership changed hands from Anthony DiCesare to Mike Picozz while an investigation into the team’s operations were held.
Today, the team seems to be standing in a more comfortable space with the change in ownership and leadership.
Achievements
The Omaha Lancers have an incredible record of strong seasons and thrilling games. This has led to multiple awards and accolades including 5 Anderson Cup regular season titles for 1989–90, 1992–93, 2001–02, 2004–05 (shared), 2007–08. The team has also earned 7 Clark Cups for Playoff play for 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2001, 2008. And the team has even won two USA Hockey Junior National Championships for 2001 and 2008.
As you can guess, the team is also credited with fielding and honing the talents of some of the biggest NHL players of all time. This includes, Keith Ballard who played for the Phoenix Coyotes (2004–2008), Florida Panthers (2008–2010), Vancouver Canucks (2010–2013), and the Minnesota Wild (2013–2015).
Here is a short list of the other NHL alumni who have played with the Omaha Lancers.
- Jacob Bryson: Buffalo Sabres
- Thatcher Demko: Vancouver Canucks
- Ryan Donato: Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks
- 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
- Louis Leblanc: Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks
- Alex Lyon: Philadelphia Flyers
- 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