OMAHA, Neb. – Omaha hockey head coach
Mike Gabinet announced the addition of five new players to the 2021-22 squad. The incoming class features one transfer and four true freshmen.
"We are very excited to add 5 new players that will continue to grow our culture and performance as a program," said Gabinet. "I am looking forward to them learning from our current players and staff as they immerse themselves in our environment. We have worked extremely hard to recruit high character individuals that will make an impact with their work ethic and skill."
Brannon McManus is a four-year transfer from Minnesota. In 2019-20, he was tabbed an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. He joins the Mavericks as a forward using his final year of eligibility.
The true freshman joining the squad include
Cameron Berg,
Victor Mancini,
Ty Mueller, and
Davis Pennington.
Omaha opens the 2021-22 slate on Saturday, Oct. 2 with a home series vs. Lake Superior State. The game is set for 7:07 p.m. at Baxter Arena.
2021-22 Recruiting Class
Forwards
Cameron Berg
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195
Hometown: White Bear Lake, Minn.
Previous Team: Muskegon (USHL)
Earlier this summer, Berg was selected in the fourth round by the New York Islanders in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Last season with Muskegon, he earned All-USHL Third Team honors after finishing with 58 points in 51 games. Berg finished second among Muskegon scorers and seventh in the league with 27 goals on the season. In 2019-20, Berg recorded four points (two goals, two assists) in 14 games with the Omaha Lancers. Prior to the Lancers, he tallied 30 points (18 goals, 12 assists) in a 32-game stretch with the Lumberjacks.
Brannon McManus
Height: 5-10
Weight: 175
Hometown: Newport Beach, Calif.
Previous Team: Chicago Steel (USHL)
McManus is a four-year transfer out of Minnesota. As a Gopher, he was tabbed an All-Big-Ten Honorable mention in 2019-20. He recorded new career-highs with 27 points and 18 assists as a junior and also added nine goals. In his sophomore campaign, McManus led the Big-Ten with a .226 shooting percentage and finished fifth in the country in the category. McManus appeared in 36 games as a freshman and recorded nine points, seven goals, and two assists. Before his time in Minnesota, McManus helped the Chicago Steel capture the organization's first USHL Clark Cup in 2017. He also spent two seasons with the Omaha Lancers and was named to the 2015-16 UHSL All-Rookie Second Team. Other career moments include helping Shattuck-St. Mary's win the 2014 Toyota/USA Hockey Tier I Youth National Championship, and he won a gold medal at the 2016 World Junior A Challenge with the U.S. Junior Select Team.
Ty Mueller
Height: 5-11
Weight: 200
Hometown: Alberta, Canada
Previous Team: Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL)
Mueller spent the last two seasons with the Sherwood Park Crusaders. Mueller posted back-to-back seasons converting over 60 percent at the face-off dot. In 2020-21, he was tabbed a team alternate captain and team MVP. He recoded 11 points over 15 games. During his first season with the Crusaders, Mueller helped the team to a 49-9-0 overall record and No. 1 ranking in the junior league the final two months of the season. He was named to the AJHL All-North Rookie Team and notched 30 points over 50 games. Prior to the Crusaders, Mueller was a member if the Okotoks Oilers in the Midget AAA league for a season and the Airdire Lightening in the Bantam AAA league for another year. With the Airdire Lightening, the team won a league and provincial title. Mueller tallied 37 points over 31 games played.
Defense
Victor Mancini
Height: 6-4
Weight: 215
Hometown: Saginaw, Mich.
Previous Team: Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
Mancini joins the Mavericks after playing this last season with the Green Bay Gamblers. While with the Gamblers, Mancini played in 33 games and notched 14 points with four goals and nine assists. He also played in 19 games for Vastra Frolunda in 2020-21. With the team, Mancini totaled 10 points with five goals and five assists. In 2019-20, Mancini played for the Frolunda U20 junior team in Sweden. He recorded nine goals and five assists over 38 games.
Davis Pennington
Height: 6-4
Weight: 215
Hometown: Saginaw, Mich.
Previous Team: Muskegon (USHL)
Pennington spent the 2020-21 season playing with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Over 53 games, Pennington posted 30 points including 26 assists and four goals. Prior to his time with Muskegon, he spent a season with the Powell River Kings. In 2019-20, he appeared in 57 games and recorded a career-best 32 points, which included 30 assists and two goals.
