The story of ice hockey in Omaha began in 1939 when the American Hockey Association started a hockey league in the city under a parent club, the Detroit Red Wings. The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben were supporters of the league, which drew sell-out crowds of over 6,000 enthusiastic fans to Omaha games, and their support ultimately led to the formation of the hockey team, Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights.
This early franchise of the Knights officially disbanded in 1975, but several of these skaters returned to Omaha and supported the formation of youth hockey leagues. These leagues eventually led to the hockey teams we support today at the University of Nebraska at Omaha as well as the Omaha Lancers. Several subsequent incarnations of the Knights have continued on through the years; the most recent of which played in Omaha in 2007. 
Many historical artifacts will be on display, most loaned from private collectors across Omaha. A previously unknown and restored video of an Ak-Sar-Ben Knights game from 1942 will also be available for viewing.  

Sponsored by Dr. Jack Lewis, E.H. “Motto” McLean, Greg and Debbie Lavitt, University of Nebraska - Omaha Athletics, and the UNO Hockey / Blue Line Club.


Meet Omaha's "Mr. Hockey," Motto McLean Fridays from 1-3pm at The Durham
The Durham Museum is proud to announce that hockey legend Motto McLean will be available for questions and photos in support of Omaha on Ice exhibition. Each Friday through October 30, McLean will meet with visitors from 1-3PM in the exhibit and share stories from his extremely successful professional hockey career.

Perhaps better known as Omaha’s “Mr. Hockey”, Motto McLean has been skating for 70 years. Motto was born in Delmany, Scotland, but raised in Flin Flon, Manitoba. Motto began his professional playing career with Tacoma and Houston before landing in Omaha in 1947.  He spent four years with the Knights. Motto left Omaha after the 1951 season and went on to play in Edmonton, St. Louis and Vancouver. He retired after the 1957 season and returned to Flin Flon to coach a junior hockey team. He came out of retirement in 1960 to play 20 games with the Knights finishing a career that included 239 goals and 500 points. Motto refereed professional hockey until 1974 and during those years found the time to help develop the O.M.A.H.A. hockey organization.