The Minnesota native got a taste of NHL hockey last week before he returns to the Omaha Mavericks.
Whenever NFL Hall of Fame quarterback called out "Omaha", you never knew what was coming.
If you say Omaha now, you might think of hockey -- especially true for Tanner Ludtke.
Coming off his freshman season with the Mavericks, the former third-round pick from the 2023 NHL Draft got his first chance to experience high-level hockey against the likes of Tij Iginla and Cole Beaudoin, along with other big names like Dmitry Simashev and Noel Nordh, at prospect camp in Park City last week.
The right-handed forward began his career with the Lincoln Stars coming out of high school in Minnesota, putting up 61 points in just 30 games with Lakeville South (MN).
That was followed up by a 66-point season with the Stars, and then a 28-point season with the Mavericks in his freshman year, garnering him NCHC All-Rookie Team honors.
Ludtke will certainly be a player to watch this season in NCAA hockey; he might be one of the most underrated forwards in the NCHC and could make his way onto some conference award lists.