Mavericks Announce 2026 Main Tryout Camp

LEWIS CENTER, Ohio — May 15, 2026 — The Columbus Mavericks are officially opening the door to the next generation of Maverick hockey players. The organization has announced its 2026 Main Camp, scheduled for Thursday, July 9th through Sunday, July 12th, at OhioHealth Chiller North in Lewis Center, Ohio. Players born between 2006 and 2010 are invited to apply for the chance to earn a roster spot on either the Columbus Mavericks NCDC or Premier team for the 2026-27 season.

This year's Main Camp carries added significance. The Mavericks are entering their eighth season of competition in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) and, for the first time in program history, will field two teams — a Tier 3 Premier squad and a brand-new Tier 2 team competing in the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC). That means more roster spots, more opportunity, and more ways to be a Maverick.

An Application-Only Process

Main Camp operates on an application-only basis. Interested players do not pay a registration fee upfront — they must first submit an application through the Mavericks' website. The coaching staff will review all applicants and notify selected players approximately two weeks prior to camp. Registration fees are collected only after a player receives an invitation to participate.

Forwards, defensemen, and goalies may all apply through separate registration tracks at no cost. This approach reflects the Mavericks' commitment to a thorough and intentional evaluation process — every player who steps on the ice at OhioHealth Chiller North in July will have earned the right to be there.

What Selected Players Can Expect

Players invited to Main Camp will receive a comprehensive evaluation experience that goes well beyond a standard tryout skate. The four-day camp includes one practice and skills session followed by three guaranteed games, with the possibility of a fourth game for players selected to participate in an All-Star game. Off the ice, players and their families will receive locker room and facility tours of OhioHealth Chiller North.

The camp also features direct access to the Mavericks' leadership. Players will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with the NCDC and Premier coaching staffs, giving prospects a rare look at the program's vision and expectations from the people who will be behind the bench in 2026-27. Parents will have their own dedicated Q&A session with Mavericks President and General Manager Joey Recktenwald and Assistant General Manager Jaime Antello — an opportunity to ask questions, understand the program's culture, and learn what life as a Maverick family truly looks like.

A Pivotal Moment for the Program

Since their inaugural season, the Columbus Mavericks have built a reputation as one of the more player-focused programs in the USPHL's crowded landscape of 80-plus teams. The addition of an NCDC team for 2026-27 represents the most significant step forward in program history — and Main Camp is where it all begins.

Players selected to the NCDC team will compete at the Tier 2 level against some of the top junior hockey programs in the country, with a direct pathway toward college hockey opportunities. Premier players will continue the Mavericks' tradition of competitive, development-focused hockey at the Tier 3 level in the USPHL.

The Main Camp timeline flows directly into the Mavericks' broader summer calendar. The day after camp concludes, the organization will host its 2026 Charity Golf Outing at Glenross Golf Club in Delaware, Ohio — giving the extended Mavericks community a chance to come together and celebrate the start of a new chapter for the program.

How to Apply

Players born between 2006 and 2010 who are interested in competing for a spot on the 2026-27 Columbus Mavericks NCDC or Premier roster should submit their application at the link below. There is no cost to apply. Applicants selected to participate in the Main Camp will be notified approximately two weeks before camp.

Applications are available now at: www.columbusmavericks.com/event-details/columbus-mavericks-main-camp-2026

For questions, contact the Columbus Mavericks at info@columbusmavericks.com.

About the Columbus Mavericks

The Columbus Mavericks are a proud member of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), entering their eighth season of competition in 2026-27. Based at OhioHealth Chiller North in Lewis Center, Ohio, the Mavericks will expand to two teams this season — a USPHL Premier (Tier 3) squad and a new NCDC (Tier 2) team — continuing the program's mission of developing players on and off the ice and growing the game of hockey across Central Ohio.