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Photo Credit: Lily Little The Columbus Mavericks returned home to Ohio Health Chiller North this past weekend after a vexing weekend in Tennessee that saw the club drop two straight to the hosting Red River Spartans. “It was a tough weekend down South, but ultimately the two-game series exposed the reality that everything won’t always go our way just because we think we deserve it to.” Said Coach Joey Recktenwald when asked about the series vs the Spartans. Friday brought new challenges as the Mavericks (2-2) hosted the Battle Creek Kernels (0-1) in another USPHL Great Lakes Division showdown. League scoring leader Caden Cavalieri got the party started just three minutes and 25 seconds into the game with assists from Kobe Rickabaugh and Graham Wood, and the Mavs never looked back. Just a few minutes later It was Rickabaugh’s turn with the help of Cavalieri, and standout rookie D-Man Michal Jansa. The Mavs dominated pace of play, and outshot the Kernels 16-5 in the first period, but entered intermission with only a one goal lead after allowing a goal in the dwindling seconds of the first period. As the second period got underway, Cavalieri once again got the scoring juices flowing quickly, this time with the help of defensemen Michal Jansa and Alexander Brown. It only took 18 more seconds for rookie forward Brady Gedman to notch the Mavericks’ fourth goal, with Cavalieri adding his second assist of the game, and rookie defender Kessler Bettenson picking up his first career point with the secondary assist. The Mavs once again surrendered a goal to the Kernels who hung around and kept the score close, despite another onslaught of shots in the period, at 17-9. Keeping things consistent, Cavalieri got the ball rolling in the third, completing the hat trick less than two minutes into the period with an assist from veteran forward Dalton Zulka. A few minutes later, Brady Gedman notched his second of the game and extended the lead to 6-2 with assists from Cavalieri and Jansa. After the final Kernal goal of the night, Michal Jansa added his name to the goal scorers list, sniping one top shelf off a clean offensive zone faceoff win by rookie center Jacob Hatem. The final frame saw the Mavs notch 21 more shots for a three period total of 54, while Robbie Cook turned away 20 of the Kernels 23 shots in the contest ---------------------------------------------- Saturday’s contest saw the perennial front running Toledo Cherokee (2-0) come to town to take on the Mavs (3-2) in a battle to stay atop the Great Lakes Division. USPHL veteran forward Cameron Krause opened scoring for the Cherokee at the 8:52 mark, sneaking one back door past Mavs rookie netminder Lukáš Kamenický midway through the first period. Not to be outdone, Mavs star forward Caden Cavalieri notched the equalizer with a helper from Kobe Rickabaugh, and two minutes later Thomas Eggleston tallied his first of the year to send the Mavs to the locker room with a 2-1 lead. The second period saw an unexpected twist, as two of the highest flying offenses in the league combined for only one goal, a Cherokee marker near the halfway point of the period that would set the stage for a 20 minute winner take all showdown. The third period wasn’t kind to the home team, as Toledo scored three unanswered goals before Alexander Brown pulled the Mavs back to a 5-3 score. The Cherokee ultimately sealed the deal at 6-3 with less than five minutes to go. Kamenický steered away 39 shots on the evening, while Belle Tire AAA product Daxton Lucidi turned down 33 of the Mavericks 36 shots en route to his first junior hockey win. “At the risk of sounding hyper-critical, I wasn’t exactly thrilled with how we played either night if I’m being completely honest.” stated Head Coach/GM Joey Recktenwald. “Friday we let a team hang around that we nearly outshot 3-1, and Saturday we didn’t rise to the occasion when opportunity presented itself. We’re capable of playing and being much better, and I made it clear to our guys there’s no column in the standings for moral victories. Being competitive isn’t the hope, it’s the standard, and we are going to have to get better if we want to achieve our goal of representing the division at nationals.”

Nobody said it would be easy, and it wasn’t. The #3 seed Mavericks were the top seed in action in the USPHL Great Lake Division Playoffs this weekend, playing host to a revamped #6 Battle Creek Kernels squad. “Tristan (Jensen) was wheeling and dealing down the stretch and made a lot of moves to bolster that squad going into the playoffs” stated Mavericks Head Coach and General Manager Joey Recktenwald. “We had taken all four regular season matchups from those guys, but this roster had some key pieces that weren’t there until close to the late deadline. When you bring in kids with NCDC and high-end AAA experience, it throws all those previous scores out the window.” The opportunistic Kernels struck first in the series, when newcomer Brayden Lewis tallied two first period goals to shock the Mavs at Chiller North. Recktenwald added, “We knew what he could do to a game, and we have a young and inexperienced playoff team. Coming out flat made things very difficult from the jump. We were sleepwalking through the first period, and they did what any team should do and capitalized on it. The way their goalie played that game, it was a backbreaker.” Lewis’ hot start was noteworthy, but it was goaltender Galvin Reagan who stole the show. After the slow start, the Mavericks high octane offense kicked it into gear, piling on 30 shots in the second period alone, en route to a 70 shot effort. Reagan was up for the task, recording a remarkable 68 save performance in the Kernels game one upset victory. With their backs against the wall and facing elimination, a much grittier Mavericks bunch showed up for game two. The Mavs took control early, never looking back the remainder of the game or series. “We knew what needed to be done, and it wasn’t going to be a good idea to get in our way. Once that train gets rolling with some of the horses we have, it can be awful hard to stop.” said Coach Recktenwald “Gio Valentine pulled a Gio Valentine, popping a goal and grabbing a couple assists. It’s hard to key in on one guy when there is multiple that can get you. We’ve seen it all year, teams matchup with Cav’s unit and there comes Gio, Eggy, and Zulks. You stop our forwards and here comes Woody and Browny wheeling out of our end. These guys are dogs, they don’t like anyone who isn’t wearing a Mavs jersey.” Friday and Saturday saw the Mavericks earn back to back wins and clinch the series. Goaltenders Jonah Little and Lukáš Kamenický combined to allow just three goals in the final two games for a collaborative .948 save percentage. “We needed stops and got them” said Recktenwald. “Jonah and Luky were rocks, but its deeper than just them. Our goaltending group is young for this league, and they’ve pushed each other all year long. Every goalie in the world wants the net to be theirs, but I know the guys who were in the net and the guys who weren’t earned those wins together. They’re hungry but they’re humble, they remind me of a pitching staff in baseball. No selfishness, whoever’s number gets called gives their best for the group.” The Mavericks piled up an impressive 186 shots (a new club record) in the series and got goals from nine different skaters. 10 players had multi-point weekends, including Giovanni Valentine with six points and Caden Cavalieri and Graham Wood with four each. Brady Gedman and Alexander Brown each had two goals in the series, while Thomas Eggleston added three points of his own. The Mavericks travel to Toledo to face their in-state rival Toledo Cherokee in the #2 vs #3 Great Lakes Division Matchup. The winner will face the victor of the #1 Metro vs #5 Cincinnati matchup with a nationals birth on the line. All games will be televised on Flo Sports.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Mavericks opened their seventh USPHL season in style Friday night, defeating the Cincinnati Cyclones 5-2 in their home opener at OhioHealth Chiller North. Alexander Brown scored the eventual game-winner late in the second period, and five different Mavericks found the back of the net in a balanced offensive effort. Goaltender Jonah Little made 28 saves to secure the victory. “It was a great way to start the season in front of our home crowd,” Mavericks head coach Joey Recktenwald said. “The guys played with energy and resilience. We spread the scoring around, which is always a good sign.” Game Summary Cincinnati opened the scoring at 3:45 of the first period on a goal from forward Harper Sullivan. The Cyclones added a second goal at the 4:46 mark in the second period before the Mavericks responded with a goal of their own at 5:21 of the second period when Timothy Boyd Jr. buried a rebound off a setup from Thomas Astley. Columbus evened the score at the 10:17 mark, when Mavericks' forward Thomas Eggleston put one past the Cyclones' netminder, with an assist from Giovanni Valentine. The Mavericks grabbed their first lead at 15:01 of the second period, when Alexander Brown fired home a wrist shot from the slot, assisted by Beckham Spruill and Brady Cook. They extended the lead to 4–2 at 18:40, with Ethan Zuvela finishing a quick passing play from Brian McConahy and Eggleston. Columbus sealed the victory in the third period at 11:32, when Jan Sebastien Vancura converted a feed from Luke Fleming to make it 5–2. Special Teams & Goaltending Both teams capitalized on the man advantage, with each team striking once on the power play. Little stood tall in net for Columbus, turning aside 28 of 30 shots. Balow finished with 47 saves on 52 shots for Cincinnati. “Our defense did a good job adjusting after that first goal against,” Little said. “Once we settled in, the guys in front of me made the game a lot easier.” Notes The Mavericks outshot the Cyclones 52–30. Columbus spread its scoring among five different skaters: Eggleston, Boyd Jr., Brown, Zuvela, and Vancura. Brown’s second-period tally stood as the game-winner. The game featured a combined 12 minor penalties and 1 major penalty. The Mavericks are now 1-0 to start their seventh USPHL season. Up Next The Mavericks now head to the Queen City Sportsplex in Cincinnati for a rematch against the cyclones in this opening home-and-home series on Saturday, September 13th at 7:10 PM.

Becoming a billet family for a junior hockey player is a unique and rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a young athlete’s life. Our players leave their homes at a young age to pursue their dreams, and having a welcoming, supportive household helps them adjust to the pressures of competitive hockey while staying grounded. By offering a stable home environment, billet families play a vital role in a player’s development—not just on the ice, but emotionally and personally as well. It’s a chance to provide mentorship, encouragement, and structure during a formative time in a young person’s life. In return, billet families often find the experience deeply enriching. Hosting a player brings a new dynamic to the home and builds lasting relationships that often feel like family. Many billet families stay in touch with their players long after they’ve moved on, watching them grow into adults, and sometimes even professionals. The experience can also bring families closer to the community and the Mavericks, creating memories that last a lifetime. It’s more than just providing a place to stay, about becoming part of someone’s journey and offering a home away from home. Families interested in hosting a Mavericks player for the 2025-26 can learn more and fill out an interest form at: https://www.columbusmavericks.com/billeting Hear from some past host families and Mavericks players about their experience with the billeting program: “It was our first season as a billet family! Our player became like family to us. So much so, he’s coming back for a second season and we can’t wait! It was such a rewarding experience to be able to be a part of the player’s hockey journey! We would highly encourage any families that are considering it to take the leap!” - Sutton Family “Having billet kids the last 5 years with the Columbus Mavericks has been nothing short of a wonderful experience for our family! Their schedule works so well with our school and job schedules. We all get to eat dinners together and these kids have become extentions of our family and we have of theirs. Mavericks players are remarkable young men who have been such positive influences to my son, who, as an only child, considers himself to have real brothers now for the rest of his life! If you are considering being a billet family, you shouldn't hesitate, jump on it, communicate the rules, include them in your family life and they'll become a valued part of your family for your lifetimes!” - Leroy Family “Ashley and Adam did an amazing job and making me feel like a part of their family, and I know many other players on the Mavs had similar experiences. I am looking forward to going back this year and making more fun memories with their family.” - Giovanni Valentine, Mavericks Forward “Andy, Nacy, and Jonah feel like family after this season. They did a great job making me feel involved. Andy feels like a second dad now, and I’ll always look forward to game nights. I plan to visit them whenever I can during college.” - Sam Gonyaw, Mavericks Defenseman “Jeremy and Heather I could not be more thankful for having them bring me in this past season. They opened their doors for me and made me apart of the family which is such an important thing for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have them. I can’t wait to come back and do it again this coming season!” - Austin Ludt, Mavericks Defenseman

The Columbus Mavericks are proud to announce our affiliation with the Connecticut JR Rangers NCDC program. This direct pathway will open the door for our players to have access to the Rangers program, as well as their camps, and contact with their NCDC scouting and coaching staffs. “With the changing landscape in collegiate and junior hockey, we feel that it’s the right time to foster and grow a relationship with an NCDC partner who shares the same vision as we do.” Commented Mavericks Head Coach and GM Joey Recktenwald. “As more NCDC teams join the league, we’re seeing a trend where these clubs have established partnerships or common ownership with Premier teams. We don’t want our players to be waiting in line behind some of those players, and missing out on opportunities for call-ups as more and more teams shift to an affiliate based structure.” The Mavericks have a considerable track record for developing players and will continue to focus efforts towards finding the next wave of talent. Columbus was the only Tier 3 team in the nation last year that had active alumni on rosters in the NCDC, as well as in the USHL, NAHL, and OJHL. The 2024-25 Mavs team won 27 games, and did so with more players under the age of 18 than age outs. 10 players born in 2007 or 2008 appeared in games for the team, most of whom played significant roles. In addition to this season’s success, the Mavs saw three former players make NCAA hockey commitments. Jack Hamilton with D1 Miami, as well as Tyler Isherwood at D3 Curry College, and Anton Petrovskiy at D3 Lebanon Valley. “The Rangers felt like the ideal fit for us," added Recktenwald. "I've enjoyed a longstanding strong working relationship with Mike Stanaway for many years, and I'm excited to expand upon this. This partnership will also allow us to further enhance the Rangers NCDC scouting efforts in the Midwest, Canada, and Europe, regions where we already have a strong presence and exceptional scouting networks. CJR’s impressive new facility and their commitment to providing a first-class player experience align perfectly with our own. Our goal is to establish a clear and effective pipeline to Tier 2 hockey Rangers Head NCDC Coach Mike Stanaway shared a lot of the same sentiment: “I couldn't be happier to be working with Coach Recktenwald and the Columbus Mavericks. The passion he has for the success of his players completely aligns with our values here at CJR. What he has done in a short time with the Mavericks is remarkable and I can't wait to see the impact his players make at the NCDC level.” The Mavericks and Rangers both kick off their seasons in September and look forward to a successful partnership.

The Columbus Mavericks of the USPHL Premier are proud to announce the first Summer Youth Tournament Series taking place two weekends in June. Teams will start with 8u and go through the u16 age group and will be sorted by birth year where applicable. The first tournament will commence June 6 th -8 th in Pittsburgh, PA, while the second tournament will be held in Niagara Falls, NY June 20 th -22 nd . “Entrants can expect two fun, and “hockey filled” weekends led by our coaching staff, players, and some amazing high-level players and coaches from local universities.” Explained Columbus Mavericks USPHL Owner and President Joey Recktenwald, who is excited about the opportunity. EYHA Vice President Aaron Pinion shares Recktenwald’s excitement about the opportunity, adding “EYHA is proud to further strengthen our partnership with the USPHL Columbus Mavericks through our summer youth tournaments. The summer tournament teams are just another example of our program's vision to build a true pipeline, focusing on skill development in a safe and fun environment for players aged 8 all the way up to 20. As we have already seen throughout the past three years with our partnership with the Columbus Mavericks, we expect to see skill development and the unique opportunity for our players to have access to Mavericks players, coaches and management that has truly strengthened our program and strengthened hockey in Columbus, which is our ultimate goal.” The tournaments will fall directly between EYHA’s spring and summer camps and on top of the benefits of high-level coaching, will be a great opportunity for players to be rewarded for their hard work in the offseason. “While we anticipate a large portion of players will be from EYHA, the teams are for any current or former Mavericks, or anyone who would like to have a first-hand Mavericks experience to learn more about our youth and junior programs.” Added Recktenwald. Families can sign up for one or both tournaments and will play at the level where they will be skating for the 2025-26 season. All players will receive a reversable Mavericks “Nighthawk” jersey to wear for the events. Participants can also expect “chalk talks,” video sessions, and special events during and leading up to the events. The summer tournament program is an excellent way to both further players skills while competing at a high level to get them jump started going into the next season so that they can excel on and off the ice. U16 : 2009 and 2010 U14 : 2011and 2012 U12 : 2013 and 2014 U10 : 2015 and 2016 U8 : 2017 and 2018 To sign up, please visit https://www.columbusmavericks.com/tournament-teams GO MAVS!!

Photo Credit: Lily Little Mavs veteran forward, Caden Cavalieri has once again earned USPHL Player of the Week honors for the Great Lakes division after continuing to consistently put points on the score sheet. Cavalieri (‘04/Amherst, N.Y.) has been racking up the offense since the first games of September in the league, and he has not backed down. Most recently, in a three-game trip to face the Battle Creek Kernels and Fresh Coast Freeze, Cavalieri scored a goal in each match, including his first GWG of the season against the Freeze on Nov. 10. He has goals in each of his last five games. He also dished out five assists for an eight-point trip to Michigan, improving to 35 points in 17 games this year. He has 91 points in 83 career regular season games in the Premier Conference.

The Mavericks enjoyed a sweep for the second time overall and for the first time since the kickoff to the 2021-22 season, when they also picked up a pair of victories against the Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones, who were playing their first two games in their history. The Mavericks won 4-2 and 5-1 that weekend (Sept. 17-18, 2021). This is the second time in their six-year history that the Mavericks have played the first game of the entire Premier season. They also opened the Premier’s 2019-20 season, with the Mavericks playing their first-ever game on Sept. 6, 2019, taking a 5-1 loss to the Toledo Cherokee. The 12 goals in a weekend was the most for the Mavericks since they closed the 2022-23 season with seven and five goals, respectively, on March 4-5, 2023. Caden Cavalieri (’04/Amherst, N.Y.) started his third USPHL Premier season with three assists on Friday, then added four goals and two assists for his first career six-point game. He previously put up a 1-4-5 line last year as a member of the former Buffalo Stampede on Feb. 18. The six-point game tied the team record for points in a game with Colin Crowley, who put up a 3-3-6 mark on Feb. 5, 2023. Crowley is also the last Mavericks player to score four goals in a game, registering a 4-0-4 line on Dec. 11, 2022. Cavalieri’s nine points were the most for a single player on a USPHL Premier opening weekend. The new record pulls one point ahead of those set by Daniil Avdioukhin (DME Sports Academy, 5-3-8, 2018) and Hunter Berry (Charlotte Rush, 4-4-8, 2022).

The Columbus Mavericks will open the 2024-25 USPHL Season, the 6th season in franchise history, on Friday, September 6th at home against the Cincinnati Cyclones. With an 8:30 PM face-off, the matchup will see the hometown Mavs face-off against an in-state rival who have always put up a good fight. Tickets are on-sale now at www.ColumbusMavericks.com/tickets

CALLING ALL 04-08 BIRTH YEARS: If you've ever wanted to play for the Mavericks, then come out to OhioHealth Chiller North on June 21st - 23rd for our Main Camp. All participants will receive: 1 Practice and Skills session followed by 3 guaranteed games (4th possible if selected for All Star game) Locker Room & Facility Tours Question & Answer session with Mavericks staff Camp Check-in will be at 5:00 PM on Friday, June 21st Visit www.columbusmavericks.com/upcoming-camps to register today!