The Baxter Arena rafters will have a new addition next weekend. Omaha Athletics officially announced on Tuesday that Jake Guentzel will have his jersey retired on Nov. 6.
Guentzel’s jersey will be added to the rafters ahead of Omaha’s game against St. Cloud State. The honor coincides with Omaha Athletics’ Hall of Fame weekend. Guentzel is one of four members of this year’s class.
“Omaha means a lot to me and my family,” Guentzel said in a statement. “Some of my best memories are from my time there, both on and off the ice. Having my jersey retired is pretty special, and I’m really grateful for the honor and everyone who was part of those years.”
Guentzel skated in 108 games in a Maverick sweater and helped Omaha hockey reach the Frozen Four in 2015. The Omaha native finished his NCAA career with 119 points (40-79-119) and became the 14th player in program history to reach the 100-point mark.
Guentzel was a third-round pick (2013, 77th overall) of the Pittsburgh Penguins and has currently played 692 regular-season NHL games — split between Pittsburgh (503), Carolina (17) and Tampa Bay (172).
The left-shot forward has 671 career points (313-358-671), three 40-goal seasons, and he’s a two-time all star selection (2020, 2022). However, he was unable to participate in that 2020 All-Star Game due to an injury. He’s also won a Stanley Cup (2017) and Olympic Gold Medal (2026) in his decorated career. Guentzel has 12 points (7-5-12) through 11 games this season for the Lightning.
Jake snipes the go-ahead 🚨 pic.twitter.com/m7YZd8mAoA
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 17, 2026
Guentzel will become the first athlete in Omaha Athletics history to have his jersey retired.
“It was great to hear that Jake Guentzel is having his jersey retired,” said Mike Kemp, a fellow member of this year’s Hall of Fame class. “With what Jake accomplished as a student athlete, and now as a professional and Olympian, no one is more deserving of this honor. Jake and his wife, Natalie, who is an Omaha soccer alumna, are tremendous examples of the quality of Maverick athletes.”
Ryan Jones (2016-20) and Jonny Tychonick (2020-2023) are the only two Mavericks to wear the number 20 since Guentzel turned pro after the 2015-16 season. Guentzel had a career-high 46 points (19-27-46) during that 2015-16 campaign, which was Omaha’s first at Baxter Arena.
Omaha (2-2-0) opens NCHC play this weekend at No. 3 Denver. Stay tuned to Hurrdat Sports all season as Avarie Howard and Jordan McAlpine provide Omaha hockey coverage.
