59 Teams in 59 Days Maine

The 59 Teams in 59 Days tour continues as we are on day number 25. This time we make a trip to Orono, Maine where the Maine Black Bears are featured.

Last year head coach Tim Whitehead led the Black Bears to their fourth Frozen Four in Seven years, and three in his first five seasons at Maine. So what does this year bring? Well there is a lot of talent on this team and they prove time and time again that people should not underestimate them.

Last year the Black Bears were picked fourth in Hockey East. However with the emergince of a 6"7 goaltender in Ben Bishop, and a goal scorer in Greg Moore, the Black Bears finished second in Hockey East. After their loss to Boston College, many people thought if BC won the Hockey East Tournament than Maine would be out. BU won Maine was a #3 seed in Albany, and they defeated two very tough teams in Harvard, and Michigan State as they made the trip to the Frozen Four.

This year again do not underestimate the Black Bears. Two 40+ point players in Josh Soares, and Michel Leveille both return for their Senior seasons. While losing Moore and Derek Damon are big, expect Junior Billy Ryan to come up big this year.

Defensively Maine lost two in Travis Wright and Steve Mullin. However they do return four and one of the biggest returnies will be Simon Denis-Pepin. Pepin is another 6"7 guy who loves to hit. So good that the Chicago Blackhawks drafted him in the second round of this years draft making him the second Hockey East player selected (the first was incoming Freshman Carl Sneep of BC who was drafted with the second pick of the second round). Also returning is classmate of Pepin, Matt Duffy, Senior Mike Lundin, and Juniors Bret Tyler and Travis Ramsey. The final two spots on D will be fought out between Sophomores Christopher Hahn, and Bryan Plaszcz, and incoming Freshman Brett Carriere. Overall Ben Bishop has a lot of support in front of him.

Although the Defense will be the focal point on the team, the Offense looks pretty solid as well. Look for this team to make another run at the Frozen Four this year.

The predicted Ceiling for Maine is first in Hockey East, while their gutter is fourth.

Tommorrow the UMASS Minuteman will be featured as the 59 Teams in 59 Days tour continues in Amherst, Massachusetts.