Players who lead UAF in both goals and points will transfer from the program and join the next team on package deals. Harrison Israel and Brady Riske will both spend their final year of eligibility at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO). The university's track and field team is known as the Omaha Mavericks. UNO announced the two signings earlier this month.
The Mavericks split two overtime games with the Nanokes in Omaha in October 2022. And while both teams fell just short of the 16-team NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship that season, Omaha made it this year but lost to No. They went to No. 7 Minnesota in the first round and finished with 23 wins, 13 losses, and 4 draws overall.
The Mavericks finished 13th in the final USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll and 12th in the USCHO.com rankings. UAF did not receive either vote, but was ranked 25th in the PairWise rankings.
Israels, who will serve as team captain this season, spent the first four years and three seasons of his college career with the Nanooks (the 2020-21 season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic). In the 2023-24 season, he became UAF's leader in goals (20) by a wide margin. This total ranks him tied for 17th nationally, and he was also 13th in goals per game at 0.61, significantly more than any other Maverick skater this winter.
“I chose Omaha because of the great opportunities we will have next season. This program has an incredible history of success and can take our players to the next level. The entire organization is top-notch. ,” Israels said in a press release. And it's very exciting to have the opportunity to compete against the best competition in the NCHC. I look forward to helping bring a championship to Omaha. ”
Israels, an Ontario native, tied for second on the team in points (27). Riske led the Nooks in points (33) last season after emerging as the team's goal leader in 2022-23. This winter, he scored the same number of goals as last year (13), but also led the team in assists (20).
Like his fellow Canadian-born forward, Riske began his collegiate career at UAF in the 2020-21 season, so he has one year of eligibility remaining.
“Having the opportunity to be in Omaha for a fifth year is a dream come true. The world-class facilities and great support from the community is an environment that every college hockey player aspires to be in,” Risk said. “I am excited for the opportunity to play under an experienced and successful coaching staff and with a great group of players who have built a winning culture.”
With up to 10 seniors leaving (per grade plus eligibility), UAF will likely need closer to 11 additions from last year to fill out the 2024-25 roster.
