Maine Black Bears men's hockey
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The University of Maine Black Bears men's hockey team is a Division I college hockey team which began in 1977. The Black Bears play in the Hockey East Association along with 9 other teams, and won NCAA Championships in 1993 and 1999. Their home games are played at the Harold Alfond Sports Arena, commonly known as the Alfond Arena. Their coach is Tim Whitehead. As of 2006 they have appeared in 10 Frozen Four's and have a 28-18 record in the NCAA Tournament games.[1]
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[edit] Beginnings of Maine hockey
The University of Maine Black Bears men's hockey team attempted to get ice hockey as a varsity sport in the early 20th Century (1909 to 1911), but failed to get it off the ground until the program started its hockey program in the 1977-78 under inaugural head coach Jack Semler, and finished with an overall record of 15-12-0. 8 up and down rollercoaster seasons after starting a hockey program, and along with a new coach, Shawn Walsh, the University of Maine Black Bears men's hockey team entered Division I's Hockey East Association in the 1984-85 season, posting a dismal 8-26-0, (12-26-1 overall) record. The next few years they advanced to the Hockey East championship game, only to lose to the Boston College Eagles in 1987, and Northeastern University in 1988, finally capturing the Hockey East crown in 1989, defeating Boston College.
[edit] Blemished perfection
After 1 more Hockey East title and 2 more Hockey East Championship game losses and the loss of the 1992 Hobey Baker Award winner, Scott Pellerin, in 1992-93 the Black Bears finished 42-1-2, which is the closest a team has come to perfection since Cornell University's 1969-1970 team which went 29-0-0 in winning the NCAA Championship. The only loss came at the hands of the the Boston University Terriers 7-6 in overtime, a game in which Maine led 6-2 at one point. The two ties came at home against the Providence Friars 3-3 and a 4-4 against Clarkson University. With the help of future NHLer's Paul Kariya, Jim Montgomery, and the amazing goaltending tandem of Mike Dunham & Garth Snow, the Black Bears overcame a 3-2 3rd period deficit to beat Michigan in overtime 4-3, thanks a Lee Saunders' game-winning goal, then they captured their first NCAA Men's Hockey Championship, after trailing 4-2 entering the 3rd period to Lake Superior State University, eventually clawing their way back to take a 5-4 lead thanks to a 3rd period natural hat-trick by Jim Montgomery. Maine caught some "puck luck" in the dying minute, when a Sean Tallaire shot hit the crossbar.
The entire state was on top of the world, until NCAA unveiled restrictions due to ineligible players. Many people around the college hockey world thought that Maine should have had their 1993 Championship title removed, although the ineligible players were in the 1991-92 season, thus not affecting the outcome of the 1992-93 season. The 1993-94 hockey season however was a general disappointment, as the Black Bears posted an on ice record of 17-15-4, the record was changed to a record of 6-29-1. There are many things that factor into the dismal record in 1993-94, like Paul Kariya, Jim Montgomery, little Cal Ingraham and both star goalies (Dunham & Snow) going their own ways. The 1992-93 season was chronicled in two separate documentaries, "42-1-2," and "Out of The Woods," which was narrated by ESPN play-by-play announcer Gary Thorne, and has subsequently been re-released as part of a 2-Disc DVD set, along with the Black Bears win over LSSU.
[edit] 2nd national championship
After the restrictions were unveiled they got back into the NCAA National Championship game again in 1994-95, after playing a triple overtime thriller against Michigan which Maine won 4-3, but lost to the Boston University Terriers in the game, 6-2. The 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons Maine couldn't participate in the NCAA Tournament because of the sanctions and restrictions, which also include a reduction of scholarships that Maine could give out.
The next time the Black Bears made it to the championship game was in 1998-99. Unlike the 1992-93 team there would be no regular season title, no Hockey East title, as they would end up finishing second to New Hampshire, or tournament as they lost to Boston College 3-2 in the semifinal game. The Black Bears got even with both teams in the Frozen Four, which is hockey's version of NCAA Basketball's Final Four. The team, led by Paul Kariya's younger brother Steve Kariya, beat Ohio State 4-2, destroyed Clarkson University 7-2 and in the next round, they advanced where they met the Boston College Eagles in the Frozen Four. The game was a defensive struggle, where both goalies Alfie Michaud (Maine), and Scott Clemmensen (B.C.) each stopped 35 of 36 shots, but the 37th shot by Maine found a way by Clemmensen and Maine defeated Boston College 2-1 in a glorious overtime win.
In the finals they had to play against the New Hampshire Wildcats, who was led by Hobey Baker winner Jason Krog. Maine opened up the scoring with a powerplay goal by Ben Guite at 15:47 which turned out to be the only goal in the first period. Niko Dimitrakos made it 2-0 for Maine in the second at 4:10. Maine, who was up by a goal until Mike Souza scored for New Hampshire early in the Third Period, and having a goal disallowed due to team captain Jason Vitorino's skate in the crease, were set for another thrilling overtime game. Alfie Michaud, made some tremendous saves in the overtime period, and captured the tournament MVP honors, and at the 10:50 mark of overtime Marcus Gustafsson broke the tied game with the game winning goal, to lead the Black Bears to a 3-2 overtime victory, and most importantly, a 2nd National Championship.
[edit] Death of coach Walsh, to present
After failing to repeat as champions in 1999-2000 after losing to the eventual North Dakota in the Frozen Four, and despite starting the season with a 10-0-2 record, (and again in 2000-2001, losing to Boston College in the NCAA Quarterfinals 3-1) Maine was poised for a great season in 2001-2002. Then came the tragic death of long time coach Shawn Walsh on September 24, 2001, at age 46. As in 1993 when Maine won the NCAA Championship, the state stood still.
With assistant coach Tim Whitehead serving as interim coach, and the youngest of the Kariyas (Martin) they magically made it to the 2002 Championship game against Minnesota. Maine was 52.4 seconds away from winning championship #3, when the Golden Gophers scored to send the game to overtime. Referee Piotrowski will forever be remembered for calling a leg check in OT against Maine and failing to call a gargantuan elbow to the chin of Maine captain, Todd Jackson only 11 seconds into the Gopher Power Play. In overtime, and on the gift extended powerplay, Minnesota scored to win the game 4-3, ending Maine's Cinderella season.
En route to Maine's appearance in the 2004 Championship game, Maine faced off against Harvard in the regional game. Maine scored 4 unanswered goals in the third period to come back from a 4-1 Harvard lead in the third period. Maine also found a way back to the National Championship game again in 2003-04 this time without a Kariya, but with the fantastic play of current Detroit Red Wings prospect goaltender Jimmy Howard, lost the game 1 to 0 to Denver, after having a goal disallowed for Mike Hamilton having the toe of a skate in the crease (prompting the NCAA to change the man-in-the -crease rule to allow a goal when scored when an offensive player enters the crease and has absolutely no effect on the goaltender's ability to see or play the puck). The loss came despite some good scoring chances, especially having a 6 on 3 powerplay for a minute and a half with just minutes to go in the game. Two Maine players got All-Tournament Team honors, Dustin Penner and Prestin Ryan.
[edit] Current roster
As of October 3rd, 2007
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| # | Player | Year | Catches | Place of Birth | Last Team |
| 30 | Ben Bishop | Jr. | L | Des Peres, Missouri, US | St. Louis Blues |
| 31 | Shane Foley | So. | L | Clinton, New York, US | Lawrenceville School |
| 33 | Dave Wilson | So. | L | Caledon East, Ontario, Canada | Streetsville Derbys |
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| # | Player | Year | Shoots | Place of Birth | Last Team |
| 3 | Jeff Dimmen | Fr. | R | Colorado Springs, Colorado | St. Louis Blues |
| 4 | Mike Banwell | Fr. | R | Scarborough, Ontario | Pickering Panthers |
| 5 | Josh Van Dyk | Fr. | R | Woodstock, Ontario | Hamilton Red Wings |
| 7 | Jeff Marshall | Fr. | R | Kyle, Saskatchewan | La Ronge Icewolves |
| 21 | Matt Duffy | Jr. | R | Windham, Maine, US | NH Junior Monarchs |
| 27 | Travis Ramsey Captain | Sr. | R | Lakewood, California, US | Salmon Arm Silverbacks |
| 40 | Brett Carriere | So. | R | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Northern Cyclones |
| 44 | Bret Tyler | Sr. | R | Maynard, Mass, US | Junior Bruins |
| 79 | Simon Denis-Pepin | Jr. | R | Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, Canada | Gatineau |
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| # | Player | Year | Shoots | Place of Birth | Last Team |
| 6 | Andrew Sweetland | Fr. | R | Bonavista, Newfoundland | Amherst Ramblers |
| 13 | Keenan Hopson | Sr. | R | Prince George, B.C. Canada | Prince George Spruce Kings |
| 14 | Billy Ryan, Alt. Captain | Sr. | R | Milton, Mass. | Cushing Academy |
| 15 | Glen Belmore | Fr. | R | Cornwall, Ontario | Wellington Dukes |
| 16 | Rob Bellamy Alt. Captain | Sr. | R | Westfield, Mass, US | New England Junior Coyotes |
| 18 | Keif Orsini | Fr. | R | Montreal, Quebec | St. Jerome |
| 20 | Nick Payson | Fr. | R | Bangor, Maine, US | Portland Junior Pirates |
| 22 | Lem Randall | Fr. | R | Snow Lake, Manitoba | OCN Blizzard |
| 24 | Wes Clark | Jr. | R | Oakville, Ontario, Canada | Milton Icehawks |
| 25 | Robbie Dee | Fr. | R | Plymouth, Minnesota, US | Omaha Lancers |
| 28 | David de Kastrozza | So. | R | Toms River, N.J, US | Culver Academy |
| 29 | Tanner House | Fr. | R | Cochrane, Alberta | Penicton Vees |
| 37 | Christopher Hahn | So. | R | Fort Qu'Appelle, Sask, Canada | Notre Dame Hounds |
| 55 | Vince Laise | So. | R | Brampton, Ontario, Canada | Georgetown Raiders |
[edit] Season-by-season record
| Season | GP | W | L | T | Playoffs |
| 1977-78 | 27 | 15 | 12 | 0 | N/A |
| 1978-79 | 34 | 25 | 8 | 1 | N/A |
| 1979-80 | 32 | 15 | 16 | 1 | N/A |
| 1980-81 | 34 | 23 | 11 | 0 | N/A |
| 1981-82 | 29 | 8 | 21 | 0 | N/A |
| 1982-83 | 29 | 5 | 24 | 0 | N/A |
| 1983-84 | 34 | 14 | 20 | 0 | N/A |
| 1984-85 | 42 | 12 | 29 | 1 | N/A |
| 1985-86 | 40 | 11 | 28 | 1 | 1st Round of Hockey East Tournament |
| 1986-87 | 42 | 24 | 16 | 2 | NCAA Tournament Participant |
| 1987-88 | 44 | 34 | 8 | 2 | NCAA Tournament Participant |
| 1988-89 | 45 | 31 | 14 | 0 | Hockey East Champion |
| 1989-90 | 46 | 33 | 11 | 2 | Hockey East Finalist/NCAA Quarterfinalist |
| 1990-91 | 43 | 32 | 9 | 2 | Hockey East Finalist/NCAA Semifinalist |
| 1991-92 | 37 | 18 | 17 | 2 | NCAA Tournament Participant |
| 1992-93 | 45 | 42 | 1 | 2 | NCAA National Champion |
| 1993-94 | 36 | 6 | 29 | 1 | 1st Round of Hockey East Tournament |
| 1994-95 | 44 | 32 | 6 | 6 | NCAA Finalist |
| 1995-96 | 39 | 26 | 9 | 4 | Did Not Qualify |
| 1996-97 | 34 | 23 | 10 | 1 | Did Not Qualify |
| 1997-98 | 36 | 17 | 15 | 4 | Hockey East Finalist |
| 1998-99 | 41 | 31 | 6 | 4 | NCAA National Champion |
| 1999-00 | 40 | 27 | 8 | 5 | Hockey East Champion/NCAA Semifinalist |
| 2000-01 | 39 | 20 | 12 | 7 | NCAA Tournament Participant |
| 2001-02 | 44 | 26 | 11 | 7 | NCAA Finalist |
| 2002-03 | 39 | 24 | 10 | 5 | NCAA Tournament Participant |
| 2003-04 | 44 | 33 | 8 | 3 | Hockey East Champion/NCAA Finalist |
| 2004-05 | 40 | 20 | 13 | 7 | NCAA Tournament Participant |
| 2005-06 | 42 | 28 | 12 | 2 | NCAA Semifinalist |
| 2006-07 | 40 | 23 | 15 | 2 | NCAA Semifinalist |
| Totals | 1161 | 679 | 409 | 74 |
Hockey East season-by-season record
| Season | GP | W | L | T |
| 1984-85 | 34 | 8 | 26 | 0 |
| 1985-86 | 34 | 8 | 25 | 1 |
| 1986-87 | 32 | 19 | 12 | 1 |
| 1987-88 | 26 | 20 | 4 | 2 |
| 1988-89 | 26 | 17 | 9 | 0 |
| 1989-90 | 21 | 14 | 6 | 1 |
| 1990-91 | 21 | 15 | 5 | 1 |
| 1991-92 | 21 | 12 | 7 | 2 |
| 1992-93 | 24 | 22 | 1 | 1 |
| 1993-94 | 24 | 3 | 20 | 1 |
| 1994-95 | 22 | 15 | 3 | 6 |
| 1995-96 | 24 | 14 | 6 | 4 |
| 1996-97 | 24 | 16 | 7 | 1 |
| 1997-98 | 24 | 10 | 11 | 3 |
| 1998-99 | 34 | 17 | 5 | 2 |
| 1999-00 | 24 | 13 | 7 | 4 |
| 2000-01 | 24 | 12 | 7 | 5 |
| 2001-02 | 24 | 14 | 5 | 5 |
| 2002-03 | 24 | 14 | 6 | 4 |
| 2003-04 | 34 | 17 | 5 | 2 |
| 2004-05 | 24 | 13 | 6 | 5 |
| 2005-06 | 27 | 17 | 8 | 2 |
| 2006-07 | 27 | 14 | 12 | 1 |
| Totals | 311 | 194 | 49 |
[edit] Award winners/finalists
Steve Kariya:
- 1996 NCAA Hockey East All-Rookie.
- Winner of NCAA Sportsmanship Award in 1997, 1998, and 1999.
- NCAA All-America First Team in 1999.
- NCAA All-Star Team Hockey East in 1999.
Paul Kariya:
- NCAA Hockey East First All-Star Team in 1993.
- Hobey Baker Memorial Award Winner in 1993.
- 1993 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
Scott Pellerin:
- Hobey Baker Memorial Award Winner in 1992.
Chris Imes:
- Hobey Baker Memorial Award Runner-Up in 1995.
- 1993 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
- 1995 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
Jean-Yves Roy:
- Hobey Baker Memorial Award Finalist in 1991.
- Hobey Baker Memorial Award Finalist in 1992.
- 1991 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
Jim Montgomery:
- Hobey Baker Memorial Award Finalist in 1993.
- 1993 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
Mike Golden:
- Hobey Baker Memorial Award Finalist in 1988.
Dave Capuano:
- Hobey Baker Memorial Award Finalist in 1988.
- Hobey Baker Memorial Award Finalist in 1989.
- 1988 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
Jim Leger:
- 2000 College Hockey Humanitarian Award Winner.
Garth Snow:
- 1992 Hockey East Second All-Star Team
- 1993 Hockey East Second All-Star Team
- 1993 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
Blair Allison:
- 1995 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
Dan Shermerhorn:
- 1995 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
Alfie Michaud:
- 1999 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
David Cullen:
- 1999 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
Niko Dimitrakos:
- 1999 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
Michael Schutte:
- 2002 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
Peter Metcalf:
- 2002 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
Robert Liscak:
- 2002 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
[edit] Season-by-season leading scorers
| Season | Player | GP | G | A | TP |
| 1978-79 | Gary Conn | 20 | 19 | 21 | 40 |
| 1979-80 | Gary Conn | 31 | 21 | 24 | 45 |
| 1980-81 | Gary Conn | 34 | 30 | 33 | 63 |
| 1981-82 | Robert Lafleur | 29 | 27 | 23 | 50 |
| 1982-83 | Ray Jacques | 29 | 15 | 18 | 33 |
| 1983-84 | Todd Bjorkstrand | 32 | 15 | 37 | 52 |
| 1984-85 | Ray Jacques | 41 | 14 | 27 | 41 |
| 1985-86 | John McDonald | 39 | 11 | 24 | 35 |
| 1986-87 | Dave Capuano | 38 | 18 | 41 | 59 |
| 1987-88 | Dave Capuano | 42 | 34 | 51 | 85 |
| 1988-89 | Dave Capuano | 41 | 37 | 30 | 67 |
| 1989-90 | Jean-Yves Roy | 46 | 39 | 26 | 65 |
| 1990-91 | Jean-Yves Roy | 43 | 37 | 45 | 82 |
| 1991-92 | Jim Montgomery | 37 | 21 | 44 | 65 |
| 1992-93 | Paul Kariya | 39 | 25 | 75 | 100 |
| 1993-94 | Mike Latendresse | 33 | 20 | 19 | 39 |
| 1994-95 | Jeff Tory | 40 | 13 | 42 | 55 |
| 1995-96 | Shawn Wansborough+ | 36 | 27 | 16 | 43 |
| 1995-96 | Dan Shermerhorn+ | 39 | 20 | 23 | 43 |
| 1996-97 | Steve Kariya | 35 | 19 | 31 | 50 |
| 1997-98 | Steve Kariya | 35 | 25 | 25 | 50 |
| 1998-99 | Steve Kariya | 41 | 27 | 38 | 65 |
| 1999-00 | Cory Larose | 39 | 15 | 36 | 51 |
| 2000-01 | Martin Kariya | 39 | 12 | 24 | 36 |
| 2001-02 | Niko Dimitrakos | 43 | 20 | 31 | 51 |
| 2002-03 | Martin Kariya | 39 | 14 | 36 | 50 |
| 2003-04 | Colin Shields | 44 | 18 | 26 | 44 |
| 2004-05 | Derek Damon | 39 | 14 | 13 | 27 |
| 2005-06 | Greg Moore | 41 | 28 | 16 | 44 |
| 2006-07 | Josh Soares+ | 40 | 20 | 25 | 45 |
| 2006-07 | Michel Levielle+ | 40 | 19 | 26 | 45 |
The (+) denotes a tie in total points at the end of the season.
