Omaha Lancers

[Greg S]

If this is true, what a mess:


https://www.si.com/hockey/news/breaking ... m-in-omaha



Greg

[MadMartin8]

I remember having season tickets back in the 90s when they played at Aksarben. Kinda sad to see it has fallen that badly.

[Greg S]

I remember having season tickets back in the 90s when they played at Aksarben. Kinda sad to see it has fallen that badly.

Yeah I had them the whole time they were at Ak Sar Ben. In their prime before UNO's arrival, they were a total cash cow and financially far and way the strongest team in the league. I used to sit in section Y. I remember the demand got so high for tickets, they added bleachers on the stage.

Greg

[Brad]

Oh wow, that's too bad.

[MadMartin8]

I remember having season tickets back in the 90s when they played at Aksarben. Kinda sad to see it has fallen that badly.

Yeah I had them the whole time they were at Ak Sar Ben. In their prime before UNO's arrival, they were a total cash cow and financially far and way the strongest team in the league. I used to sit in section Y. I remember the demand got so high for tickets, they added bleachers on the stage.

Greg

We sat in Section A. I do miss Aksarben; it was a dump, but man that low roof made it loud.

[OmaJayhawk]

Amazingly, Sam McKewon was able to pull himself away from fanboying all over Husker football to write an article on this subject with more details.

https://omaha.com/sports/local/omaha-la ... op-story-1

[jag42]

Wow. I haven't been to a Lancers game in many years, but judging by the article it's a sh;t show behind the scenes as of late. But yeah, their AkSarBen Coliseum days were the best, dark and dingey that place was. Wasn't the attendance always somewhere around 5,908 because it was always a sellout crowd?

[bigredmed1]

Wow. I haven't been to a Lancers game in many years, but judging by the article it's a sh;t show behind the scenes as of late. But yeah, their AkSarBen Coliseum days were the best, dark and dingey that place was. Wasn't the attendance always somewhere around 5,908 because it was always a sellout crowd?

It was. The seats on the stage gave a great sight line right over the goalie’s shoulder. Best seats I have ever had at a hockey game.

[Greg S]

Wow. I haven't been to a Lancers game in many years, but judging by the article it's a sh;t show behind the scenes as of late. But yeah, their AkSarBen Coliseum days were the best, dark and dingey that place was. Wasn't the attendance always somewhere around 5,908 because it was always a sellout crowd?

It was. The seats on the stage gave a great sight line right over the goalie’s shoulder. Best seats I have ever had at a hockey game.

I think when they added the seats on the stage it pushed the attendance to around 6,100.

Greg

[nebugeater]

So those that follow hockey more than I do, ( and that is probably most of you) Do the Lancers survive this series of issues in your opinion?

[ChadJK]

I only went to one Lancer game back in probably 2001(ish). I entered a drawing at NFM for their "best seats in the house" contest and won. So, we got to watch the game in La-Z-Boy recliners. It was a good time. My girlfriend at the time had a brother-in-law with season tickets to Maverick hockey right on the glass, so that's where we watched most of our hockey back then. I haven't been to a hockey game in probably 18 years now. I should make it a point to go watch a Lancer game and show some support for the team.

[Greg S]

So those that follow hockey more than I do, ( and that is probably most of you) Do the Lancers survive this series of issues in your opinion?

Honestly I think it's up in the air. I think the key is to get a good well connected owner. I am sure the city of Ralston is concerned with the Lancers being the primary tenant of Ralston Arena.

Greg

[omaha79]

Wow. I haven't been to a Lancers game in many years, but judging by the article it's a sh;t show behind the scenes as of late. But yeah, their AkSarBen Coliseum days were the best, dark and dingey that place was. Wasn't the attendance always somewhere around 5,908 because it was always a sellout crowd?

It was. The seats on the stage gave a great sight line right over the goalie’s shoulder. Best seats I have ever had at a hockey game.

I think when they added the seats on the stage it pushed the attendance to around 6,100.

Greg

I remember sitting on the stage. I remember going to Clark and Andersen Cup clinching games. I remember the loudness of AkSarBen Coliseum. I don't know that I've ever been to a louder sporting event. It gave everything a feel of being more big time than it ever was. I was at the 300th consecutive sell out and still have the mug they gave out for it.

Unfortunately, I think those early years created a sense of entitlement that every ownership group since has suffered from. Ted Baer was a good owner, but always had the advantage of being the only game in town. There was no UNO. Creighton basketball was mainly abysmal in true golden years of the Lancers in the early 90's. The Racers were never that much of anything. But, something was always going to step up and fill the void in the Omaha sports scene.

The immediate cracks started showing in 1996 when the Lincoln Stars were formed. The Lancers would pull people from down there. That ended forever once they had their own team. I believe that coincided possibly with the sellout streak ending as well. UNO starting in 1997 transplanted the big crowds from AkSarBen to the Civic and I feel like the Lancers went from announced averages in the high 5k range to the mid 4'k range almost immediately. Rather than admit what they truly were, they thought needing a new facility was the path back to relevance. So, they moved across the river and lost more of their fanbase that resided in mid town Omaha, and pulled very few people from CB. This was around the time Creighton Basketball became the "it" activity and UNO was still playing downtown. It was destined to fail.

Then, you had ownership groups coming and going. Robert was still ok. He moved them back to the Civic which was probably smart at the time, but with an eye to a new arena. There was talk of a Lancers arena on 204th St. That wouldn't have worked. They finally got Ralston, but with it, came $20 ticket prices. I sometimes get nostalgic and want to go to a game...but, I can't justify $20 for a ticket to roughly high school hockey when I can go watch my own school, UNO, for $10 in a better arena at a higher level of competition.

I'm not sure what the answer is for the Lancers. It comforts me to know they still exist, but I honestly do feel like their time is somewhat past and unless they can find that balance to make their budgets work, this won't end well. They are still in the mix for highest USHL attendance, but roughly half of what they drew in the 90's. And, you just have to make that work and be satisfied.

[Greg S]

The Lancers also I think have a very unique lease in Ralston. I don't think they have to pay anything but they also don't get any of the concession money. I don't know if that's good or not. Obviously since they get to keep all ticket money, it's imperative for them to draw well, and not to discount too many tickets.

Greg

[Coyote]

[jag42]

Follow up article about the Lancers situation:

https://omaha.com/sports/local/cut-cut- ... e576f.html

[Greg S]

Follow up article about the Lancers situation:

https://omaha.com/sports/local/cut-cut- ... e576f.html

That was a great read.

Greg

[damonhynes]

Has anyone seen a story--detailed or not--about the Lancers on 3, 6 or 7? I rag on the OWH a ton--deservedly--but this story is top-shelf.

[jag42]

Has anyone seen a story--detailed or not--about the Lancers on 3, 6 or 7? I rag on the OWH a ton--deservedly--but this story is top-shelf.

Now that you mention it, no.

[Greg S]

Has anyone seen a story--detailed or not--about the Lancers on 3, 6 or 7? I rag on the OWH a ton--deservedly--but this story is top-shelf.

Now that you mention it, no.

Yeah the World Herald has definitely led the coverage here.

[ChadJK]

I only went to one Lancer game back in probably 2001(ish). I entered a drawing at NFM for their "best seats in the house" contest and won. So, we got to watch the game in La-Z-Boy recliners. It was a good time. My girlfriend at the time had a brother-in-law with season tickets to Maverick hockey right on the glass, so that's where we watched most of our hockey back then. I haven't been to a hockey game in probably 18 years now. I should make it a point to go watch a Lancer game and show some support for the team.

Made it to a Lancer game a couple of weeks ago. Very fun. We were able to get seats right on the glass. I guess I didn't realize just how small of an arena it is. I've been to a few floor events here for oddball stuff, but this was my first hockey game at the arena. Anyway, we really enjoyed it. Lots of beer and fist pounding on the rinkside glass.

[Coyote]

AHL Hockey Player Ethen Frank

Ethen Frank grew up in Papillion playing youth hockey with the Junior Mavs hockey club. Currently he plays for the Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League (AHL). He joined us for a taping of Papillion UnScripted.

[Brad]

Omaha Lancers are in quite the rough stretch...

[OmahaRedWing]

There's a whole bunch of trouble behind the scenes again. Players leaving and such. They are on their 3rd coach this season and I think the current one has only coached youth hockey, nothing at this age level.

[jag42]

Yikes...Lancers have hired their 4th head coach of the season this past week, and are on a 25-game winless streak.

[djc311]

Yikes...Lancers have hired their 4th head coach of the season this past week, and are on a 25-game winless streak.

They offered me the position, but it would interrupt my part time gig at Target. LOL

[omaha79]

Yikes...Lancers have hired their 4th head coach of the season this past week, and are on a 25-game winless streak.

They offered me the position, but it would interrupt my part time gig at Target. LOL

the fanbase has been abused. they want the owner to sell, but he won't. loyalty has kept the place at least moderately full, but I wouldn't go watch that product for free and with free beer and hot dogs. it's sad. They were such a fun experience in the 90's and were still relevant through the MAC and Civic eras, but this is just pitiful.

[Brad]

Can the league force a sale?

[djc311]

Can the league force a sale?

Surprised this isn't on Rod Yates' "Dream List" of development. Given the 1000 acres and all of the other $$$ he seems to believe he has available from investors, taking over the Lancers should be almost nothing.

[Padre]

He’s probably thinking he can host the next 4 Nations Faceoff!

[jag42]

Wow...winless streak is now at 30.

[djc311]

Wow...winless streak is now at 30.

Confused - the owner just said the latest hire for coach was by far the biggest get for the Lancers... and they'd be set!

[Greg S]

Wow...winless streak is now at 30.

Confused - the owner just said the latest hire for coach was by far the biggest get for the Lancers... and they'd be set!

This is a lost season. I don't think any coach could win with what's left on their roster.

[jag42]

Lancers won last night 4-3 in OT.
30-game winless streak is over.

[Greg S]

Mike West has just been named President of the Omaha Lancers. He was the one that really built and grew the Cox Classic. Also was an Assistant AD at Creighton, and most recently worked in UNO's athletic department.

This is really really good news for the Lancers.

[PobodysNerfect]

Mike West has just been named President of the Omaha Lancers. He was the one that really built and grew the Cox Classic. Also was an Assistant AD at Creighton, and most recently worked in UNO's athletic department.

This is really really good news for the Lancers.

I'm pretty sure his stints at UNO and Creighton were both mired in controversy (attitude issues and abuse) from what I've heard on the inside...

[Brad]

USHL News:

West Coast Expansion on the Horizon

https://ushl.com/news/2026/6/2/mens-ice ... rizon.aspx

In continuance of the National Hockey League (NHL) and USA Hockey’s expanded collaboration supporting advancement of the Tier I junior hockey development pathway in the United States, the United States Hockey League (USHL) and a group of stakeholders have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish member clubs in Arizona, California, and Nevada.

[Greg S]

Mike West has just been named President of the Omaha Lancers. He was the one that really built and grew the Cox Classic. Also was an Assistant AD at Creighton, and most recently worked in UNO's athletic department.

This is really really good news for the Lancers.

I'm pretty sure his stints at UNO and Creighton were both mired in controversy (attitude issues and abuse) from what I've heard on the inside...

So far that doesn't seem to be happening with the Lancers fortunately.