The Christmas break is over and Morris' Tristan Keck is back at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) for the second half of the 2016-17 Division 1 NCAA hockey season.

"Its gone really well so far. I'm fitting in pretty good, getting along with the guys, and it's a great group of guys we have," said Keck. "I'm just trying to do my part."

UNO is currently ranked 18th in the country and have a 4-4 record in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). The Mavericks are in fifth place with twelve points, and are two points behind the fourth place St Cloud State and three points back of the third place Western Michigan Broncos and have two games in hand, in conference play, on both teams.

"We are in the top conference in college hockey," said Keck. "It's always nice to play top teams and kind of see where you are at."

Meanwhile, overall this season Omaha has an 11-6-3 record.

Keck made the jump to Division 1 hockey from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) this season. He played 212 games, all with Winkler, and recorded 244 points. The twenty-one year old also had 21 points in 25 playoff games for the Flyers.

"It's a lot different of a game," said Keck. "It's a lot faster and every little mistake can cost you big time. The speed is a lot different. Everyone is kind of at the same level."

In his freshmen year with the Mavericks, Keck has three goals and four points in seventeen games played this season.

"I haven't been putting up the points I'm used to and want to. It's just about finding your groove. I think I am getting more and more comfortable every day, and hopefully that should show on the scoreboard as well," shared the 5'8'' forward.

Of Keck's three goals this season, his latest one was featured in the NCHC's Top five plays of the week. This goal was signature Keck as he busted down the wall and picked top shelf short side.

"Just last weekend we played Lake Superior State and I tied the game up with a pretty nice goal. That's been one of my highlights so far. It was a really fun game to play in," said Keck.

The Mavericks next game is against North Dakota at Baxter Arena this weekend.