USHL Omaha Lancers embroiled in controversy, players threaten weekend boycott

The Omaha Lancers, members of the USHL — the only Tier 1 Junior A hockey league in the U.S. — are embroiled in controversy as players from the team refused to practice on Thursday and are planning to boycott this weekend’s games, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation.

The players’ frustration is multi-fold, but came to a head this week when head coach Chadd Cassidy and the team parted ways four months into a three-year contract with the club. In a press release from the Lancers after reports surfaced that Cassidy was removed from the team, they stated that Cassidy had stepped down. Multiple sources dispute that claim, stating that Cassidy did not resign but was told not to return to team facilities.

The Lancers announced former ECHL coach Gary Graham will serve as the team’s new head coach.

Cassidy had led the team to an 8-4-2 record, which independent evaluators suggested was above expectation for this season. Per sources, Cassidy was informed before last weekend that he would no longer be the head coach. However, he was then asked to return to the team to coach the games that weekend because the team did not have a replacement in place yet. Cassidy agreed to coach the team, leading the Lancers to a home-and-home sweep of the Sioux Falls Stampede. On Tuesday, Cassidy was informed by team president David DeLuca not to return to the office.

In an email to billet families that night, a copy of which was obtained by Daily Faceoff, DeLuca wrote “To keep you in the loop and hopefully ahead of the rumor mill. (sic) Coach Cassidy has stepped down as head coach of The Omaha Lancers. We are moving forward and looking out the front window and not the rearview mirror.”

Prior to the press release on Thursday, Lancers players had refused to take the ice at their scheduled practice and made it known that they will not play in the team’s three games this weekend. It is believed the players’ preference is that Cassidy be reinstated to call off the boycott.

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UPDATE 9:40 p.m. ET: The USHL announced Thursday night that all three games involving the Omaha Lancers scheduled for this weekend have been postponed.

“The United States Hockey League (USHL) has been in contact with Omaha Lancers players and has determined it is in the best interest of the players to postpone this weekend’s games. USHL representatives will be visiting Omaha on Friday, November 19 to meet with the team.

“The USHL will begin an investigation into the reports regarding the Omaha Lancers. The Omaha ownership has pledged its full cooperation and support.”

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Sources have confirmed that Sean Walsh, goaltending coach Tate Maris, head scout/assistant GM Jeff Cox and athletic trainer/equipment manager Nick Hart all resigned their positions with the team on Thursday. Each team is required to have one full-time head coach and two assistant coaches to meet Tier 1 standards.

Daily Faceoff has heard from multiple sources regarding concerns that had arisen before Cassidy’s abrupt dismissal in regards to the team’s budget and maintaining the standards required by the USHL’s status as the only Tier 1 Junior A league in the country.

The video software the coaches use to break down and tag game film for teaching purposes had its subscription cancelled in a cost-saving measure by the team. That cost the coaches a critical teaching tool for player development purposes. There were also reports of instances where players had to purchase their own sticks and stick tape, which is supposed to be provided by the team in accordance with league standards.

The team’s athletic trainer was also asked to be the equipment manager, serving in a dual role that is not unprecedented but uncommon in today’s USHL.

Sources across junior hockey expressed puzzlement in that the USHL league office had not yet stepped in to assess the situation on behalf of the players as concerns have been raised about the team’s business practices prior to this season.

The USHL released a statement late Thursday afternoon:

“We are aware of the reports about the Omaha Lancers and are actively working to resolve this matter. We have standards we take seriously in order to provide the best possible experience for all players who participate in the USHL.”

This situation has been likened to what happened to the Flint Firebirds in 2016 when the owner abruptly fired the team’s popular head coach John Gruden, over what was believed to be in a dispute over playing time for the owner’s son who was a defenseman on the team.

Players threatened a boycott if the coach was not rehired and Gruden was reinstated. Rolf Nilsen, the owner, then fired Gruden again in February. The OHL stepped in and took control of the team, suspending Nilsen for five years, fining him $250,000 and forced the team to forfeit its first-round draft pick the following draft.

The Lancers are scheduled to play three games this weekend, the first two of which are on the road at Waterloo and Lincoln, Friday and Saturday, respectively, before a home game on Sunday. It is unclear if the situation will be resolved in time for those games to happen. UPDATE 9:40 p.m. ET: These games will not happen. The league says the games have been declared a no-contest and will work with the affected organizations to reschedule all three games.

DISCLOSURE: Chadd Cassidy and Chris Peters worked together at the National Team Development Program from 2008-2010. Cassidy is not a source for this story.