Jake Guentzel couldn’t have scripted it much better.
The 32-year-old returned to the city where he was born, the campus where he met his wife, Natalie, and the program that played an integral part in his hockey career on Friday.
With his wife and two kids, Charlie and Carson, at his side, Guentzel watched from center ice pregame as Omaha hockey raised his No. 20 to the Baxter Arena rafters. During the first intermission, Guentzel stood at center ice once again, this time alongside Mike Kemp, Chris Cooper and Anastasia Kyvelidou — the four members of the 2026 Omaha Athletics Hall of Fame Class.
“It’s an honor and it’s a privilege,” Guentzel told Hurrdat Sports. “This is a place that’s meant so much to us, and just for me and my family to come back here and be able to be here, it’s a cool night for all of us.”
The moment Jake Guentzel’s jersey was retired in the rafters at Baxter Arena. pic.twitter.com/lzKdbThMyx
— Hurrdat Sports (@HurrdatSports) November 7, 2026
Guentzel was the star of the show as he enjoyed his first game at Baxter Arena in 10 years. Countless Guentzel jerseys filled the seats, and he enjoyed the experience alongside his family, interacting with plenty of Maverick fans in the process. He also spoke in Omaha’s locker room before the game.
Roughly 24 hours later, Guentzel scored two goals and added an assist at Grand Casino Arena as the Tampa Bay Lighting earned a 4-3 overtime win over the Minnesota Wild. He did so in front of another contingent of friends and family, as Guentzel grew up in nearby Woodbury, Minn.
The three-point night gives Guentzel 677 points (316-361-677) in his tremendous NHL career, but he wouldn’t be where he is without his time with the Mavericks.
“I really grew up in my time in Omaha,” Guentzel said. “The life-long friendships I’ve made — these guys, my classmates, they’re still my best friends, and just the maturity level that we all grew when we were here. Definitely wouldn’t be where I’m at in the NHL without my three years in Omaha, and I loved every moment of it.”
From the way former Maverick teammates talked about him to the ovations he received Friday night, there’s no denying Guentzel’s impact on the Omaha hockey community.
He helped lead Omaha to its first and only Frozen Four appearance, served as a captain during Omaha’s first season at Baxter Arena, and still ranks seventh in program history with 119 points (40-79-119) over 108 career games. However, the six players he trails all played 147 or more games.
Jake Guentzel skated in 108 games over his three seasons (2013-16) in an Omaha sweater. Guentzel put up 46 points (19-27-46) during his final NCAA season and earned second-team All-NCHC honors. Photo courtesy of Omaha Athletics.
His NHL journey has been a tremendous story, too, going from a third-round pick and an undersized forward to an NHL star.
Guentzel scored on his first NHL shot, he helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win a Stanley Cup in 2017, he’s a two-time all-star selection and he earned a seven-year, $63 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 1, 2024.
In February, Guentzel added an Olympic Gold Medal to his resume, one that now includes a retired jersey and a spot in Omaha’s Hall of Fame.
“He has some roots here and is just a great role model for our guys coming through the program of what’s possible,” said Omaha head coach Mike Gabinet. “He was obviously a very, very good hockey player all throughout his life, but wasn’t that first-round draft pick that’s just a surefire NHL player.
“He had to earn his way to be an elite college player, earn his way to be an elite NHL player, and those are great examples for guys that come through our program to model themselves after.”
“With what Jake accomplished as a student athlete, and now as a professional and Olympian, no one is more deserving of this honor,” added Kemp, with whom Guentzel said he was honored to enter the Omaha Athletics Hall of Fame. “Jake and his wife, Natalie, who is an Omaha soccer alumna, are tremendous examples of the quality of Maverick athletes.”
Jake Guentzel waves to the crowd during Omaha’s second-intermission Hall of Fame ceremony at Baxter Arena on Nov. 6, 2026. Eli Larson / Hurrdat Sports
The Guentzels return to Omaha every summer and the city will forever hold a special place in their hearts. They’re proud UNO alumni, and Omaha will always feel like home to the family.
However, Jake is far from done with his NHL career, and the goal is to win as much as he can. Tampa Bay (11-4-2) currently sits third in the NHL’s Atlantic Division with 24 points.
It’s certainly a weekend that Guentzel won’t forget, and he has one message for Maverick fans… Thank you.
“It’s been 10 years since I’ve been here, so (Omaha fans) are obviously very loyal,” Guentzel said. “I think they’re the best fans in college hockey for a reason. They support me still and I can feel it to this day, so I just want to say thank you.”
Stay tuned to Hurrdat Sports all season as Avarie Howard and Jordan McAlpine provide Omaha hockey coverage.
