Durham Museum: It’s Hockey Time in Omaha

I fell in love with hockey in January 1983 when I attended my first University of North Dakota game in Grand Forks. I don’t recall the opponent, but it took me about 20 minutes – the first period – to truly understand the appeal of the sport. I rarely missed a series (two-game weekend matches) for the next 4.5 seasons.

However, my interest in hockey traces back to the early 1970s when, as a kid, I had friends who were hockey fans. I’d watch games on television with them and their dad. I latched on to the St. Louis Blues as my team.

My closet includes a wardrobe of T-shirts, sweatshirts, and game sweaters of teams such as UND, University of Nebraska-Omaha, University of Alaska (Fairbanks) and University of Alaska-Anchorage. Professional team gear includes the Seattle Kraken and vintage Kansas City Scouts. Plans include adding the St. Louis Blues (my original National Hockey League team) and the classic Omaha Knights.

So, when I learned that Omaha’s Durham Museum was going to host a special exhibit focusing on hockey – Hockey: Faster than Ever – I knew I’d be making a few trips to soak in the history of the game through guest speakers and the interactive displays of the exhibit. Hockey: Faster than Ever runs Oct. 4-Jan. 11, 2026.

North America’s sport

“Hockey” explores North America’s sport from the evolution of skates and equipment to jerseys of some of the best NHL players.

You don’t need to be a hockey fan to enjoy the exhibit, which offers something for everyone. Test your skills through hands-on challenges in a replica rink, explore dynamic displays and discover the gear that drives the action on the ice.

“Partnering with the Montréal Science Centre allowed us to create a unique experience celebrating sports and science,” said Jay Brown, principal and managing director of Flying Fish, the company behind the exhibit. “We intended to demonstrate how technology, physics and innovation have transformed the game throughout history. We’re thrilled with the result, an exhibition that will fascinate sports enthusiasts and curious minds alike.”

Hockey fun

Interactive highlights include:

• Don’t Blink – How many lights can you hit in 60 seconds?
• Need for Speed – Clock your fastest shot in three tries
• Score Like a Pro – Compare your shot against the pros
• Stanley Cup® Touchscreen – Pay tribute to hockey’s most coveted trophy
• Selfie Spot – Get up close with a real ice resurfacer

Discover how Omaha’s hockey stories mesh with the national ones as you explore a companion exhibit curated by the Durham Museum. Celebrating Omaha’s hockey heritage, Omaha’s Hat Trick: Knights, Lancers and Mavericks.

From the first games played on ice in 1939 to unforgettable victories and heartbreaking defeats, the exhibit brings Omaha’s hockey tradition to life.

“We were delighted to welcome Hockey: Faster than Ever, an exhibition to which we are proud to have contributed,” said Cybèle Robichaud, Director of the Montréal Science Centre. “It delighted all visitors, from lab athletes to arena scientists, from young athletes to sports statistics experts.”

Omaha hockey memories

Opening weekend events include a fan fest from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5. Hockey: Faster Than Ever’s fan fest features an opportunity to meet members of local hockey teams, check out memorabilia from UNO’s Blue Line Club, and take in Hockey: Faster Than Ever.

Omaha’s Hat Trick: Knights, Lancers and Mavericks exhibition explores the city’s history on ice. The exhibit offers a look into the trials and triumphs of three storied hockey organizations — from the defunct, but beloved, Omaha Knights, who first hit the ice in 1939, to the growth of the Omaha Lancers and UNO Mavericks.

The Durham hosts Frozen Memories-A Hockey Discussion Panel 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16. Tracing Omaha hockey for more than 80 years, beginning with the Omaha Knights and continuing with the Lancers and Mavericks, expect spirited conversation featuring key people involved with local hockey. Panelists include Mike Kemp, inaugural coach of the Omaha Mavericks, Gary S. Anderson, author of “Those Were the Knights: The History of Professional Hockey in Omaha,” Ted Baer, former owner of the Omaha Lancers, and Terry Leahy (moderator), voice of UNO hockey.

While the presentation begins at 6:30 p.m., a social hour starts at 5:00 p.m., featuring light bites, a cash bar, and access to HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever. Open to the public, regular admission applies, but it’s free to museum members. Advance registration is required at DurhamMuseum.org, reservations@DurhamMuseum.org or by calling 402-444-507.