It’s time to get sentimental Mavericks fans. Today I am starting a new series of interviews with former players and personnel of the Mavericks. As the Mavericks play their 10th season this year, I couldn’t think of a better time to take a look back at some of the names that color the history of our team. To kick off this series I bring you an interview with one of my all-time favorite Mavericks. He played for the Mavericks for 3 seasons from the 2011-12 season to the 2013-2014 season. I am talking, of course, about Dave Pszenyczny.

First off, it’s pronounced “shuh-NITCH-nee”, but he’s affectionately known as Chezy. Chezy came to the Mavericks when they were still known as the Missouri Mavericks. He had been playing for the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. When the Mudbugs folded after winning the Central Hockey League championship,the Mavericks picked Dave up in July of 2011 before the start of the team’s third season. Chezy quickly became an important piece of the Maverick’s defensive core, and he won the hearts of fans. Known for his physical, hard-hitting style, Chezy embraced the agitator role. But he wasn’t aggravating to play against only because of his extracurricular activities on the ice, he could also put the puck in the net. In two of his three seasons with the Mavericks he notched more than 30 points (36 in 2011-12 and 32 in 2013-14) and in 2012-13 he notched 17 points!

Chezy was a part of the legendary 2013-14 team which featured Mavericks greats such as Andrew Courtney, John-Scott Dickson, Henrik Odegaard, Sebastien Thinel, Colt King, Obi Aduba, Eric Castonguay, the list goes on. That team ended up securing the best regular season record in the Central Hockey League (44-20-2) winning them the Governor’s Cup. Dave was an alternate captain (he wore the “A” in all three seasons with the Mavs) and was the team Penalty Minute leader with 166. The Mavericks ended up being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in Game 6 against the Arizona Sun Dogs. The season ended sooner than they all wanted, but his time with the Mavericks wasn’t over yet… or so he thought.

Following that season, Head Coach Scott Hillman announced he was stepping down to coach the Indy Fuel who had just joined the ECHL. The Mavericks hired Richard Matvichuk to take over as head coach. Chezy was re-signed by the Mavericks in the early summer. But then,the CHL folded practically without warning. The ECHL agreed to take on the 7 remaining teams of the league. With the CHL’s demise, Chezy’s contract was nullified and he was released from the team. The Tulsa Oilers ended up signing him.

Dave went on to play for three teams after the Mavericks.The Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL in the 2014-2015 season. Then he played in 4 games for the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL in 2015-16, before he went to the Peoria Rivermen of the SPHL. He played 3 seasons for them before retiring in the spring of this year to take a job as the Head Coach of the newest team to the SPHL, the Quad City Storm.

Dave ended his Mavericks career with 385 Penalty Minutes and 85 points (30g,55a) in 177 games. The Independence Examiner also declared him as the #5 All-Time Player for the Mavericks. Fans will always remember the fire he brought to the game and the ferocity with which he played. So, without further ado, I present my interview with Dave Pszenyczny!

Mavericks HoKCey Fan: When did you start playing hockey?

Dave Pszenyczny: I started skating when I was about 3 years old on frozen ponds back in Michigan with my 2 older brothers, Mike and Dan, and my father. I didn’t play organized hockey till I was 5 years old in Royal Oak, MI

MHF: You played professional hockey for 11 seasons across 5 different leagues on 9 different teams. You made a long career out of playing in lower professional leagues.What kept you going?

DP: The only reason someone would play that long- I LOVE HOCKEY- the game, the lifestyle. Can’t put it in any other words.

MHF: A highlight of your career was the 3 seasons you spent in Kansas City playing for the Mavericks (then called the Missouri Mavericks). What are some of your best memories from your time with the Mavericks?

DP: Every night stepping onto the ice at the IEC (Independence Events Center) was always special. The sellouts, the fans, and the way we were treated there made it some of the best times of my hockey career. Additionally, my son, Easton,was born there.

MHF: You got to play with Sebastian Thinel, the longest serving Captain in Mavericks history. His number is going to be retired in January. What are some of your memories of playing with Sebby?

DP: What an experience it was playing with Sebby. He was hard to play against when he was in Odessa and I was in Bossier-Shreveport, so having him on our team made it easier. He made everyone around him better. The guy had vision unlike anyone I’ve ever played with before. I’m proud that his ‘43’ will never be worn by anyone else.

MHF: You also played with John-Scott Dickson who is now the head coach of the Mavericks. What memories do you have of playing with JSD?

DP: ‘Big Righty’ what a professional. That guy did everything right-block shots, make plays, throw the body, and to top it off he could score. It is no wonder he is doing such a great job coaching that team.

MHF: What caused you to make the decision to finally hang up the skates?

DP: I figured I had about two more years left in me to play. But I couldn’t pass on being a head coach of a professional hockey team. I have always wanted to stay in the game and coaching gave me that opportunity. If I had played for two more years, I probably wouldn’t have had the chance I took.

MHF: What has the transition from playing to coaching been like?

DP: It wasn’t easy. There are so many things you don’t think about that coaches do: practice plans,immigration, trimming down the roster, figuring who won’t play in a game. Also,not going out and competing makes it difficult. I still feel like a player somedays.

MHF: As the first head coach of the Storm, were you involved early on with the establishment of the Quad City Storm?

DP: It has been a blessing to be able to help start up this franchise, and we (owners, front office, equipment manager, ATC) were able to get it going within 3.5 months. We are all learning together as we face the challenges that come with starting something new. We are succeeding with the support and dedication of our long time Quad-City fans. They have a love for hockey and have been behind us since day one.

MHF: What are some of the biggest differences between the SPHL and the ECHL?

DP: I would say the SPHL is a more physical, grind it out type of league. Whereas the ECHL is wide open, puck possession, crisper passing.

MHF: You played on the Sarnia Sting with Daniel Carcillo. He’s recently spoken out about his experiences with bullying and hazing on the team. Is there anything you would like to point out about that situation?

DP: What happened to us that season should never have happened. There is a difference between minor hazing and degrading/abusing a person. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for Carcy to speak about, but I hope that the public knowledge of this horrible treatment will hopefully prevent anything like this to happen again.

MHF: What is the most bizarre thing you experienced while playing hockey?

DP: Having my wrist skated over during a game during my rookie season, and still not having the feeling in my hand till this day.

MHF: What do you like to do in your free time?

DP: Hanging out with the family, reading, trying to play the guitar, and trying to be better at taking pictures with my Nikon.

MHF: Do your kids have any aspirations of playing hockey?

DP: They both love the game already. I’m sure they’ll want to play, but even if they don’t, I will support them in whatever they choose.

MHF: What has been the most rewarding part of leading the Storm this season?

DP: Other than winning against my former team on opening night (Peoria Rivermen), I would have to say that I get to still lace up my skates every day and go on the ice.

MHF: Outside of hockey, do you enjoy any other sports?

DP: I’m into soccer, specifically, the Premier League. Those guys are pretty amazing at what they can do with the ball. Also, I try to follow Formula 1 and Indy racing.

MHF: What changes would you like to see be made to hockey? This could be in terms of culture, rules, experience, etc.

DP: I would like for the red line to come back into the game. You had to be a good team to get out of your zone and have possession. Without it right now it allows one individual to skate openly while guys stretch the blue line. With the red line you had all 3 forwards on the play, not just one.

MHF: What is your favorite thing about hockey?

DP: That whatever was going on in my personal life I could step onto that beautiful ice and forget about it and have fun. There is nothing like going to battle with 18+ of your brothers and competing for one goal.

Thank you to Dave Pszenyczny for taking the time to answer my questions! I will leave you all with some highlights from Dave’s career with the Mavericks!



Dave recorded 2 assists in Game 3 of Round 1 in the 2013 Playoffs versus the Rapid City Rush. Here are some video highlights of the game accompanied by Bob Rennison’s thrilling call of the game.

Dave fights Sebastien Geoffrion of the Arizona Sundogs

Dave fights Scott Brannon of the Rapid City Rush