2nd UMaine alumni hockey game slated this Saturday

While summer has yet to really heat up, news concerning the University of Maine’s hockey team can be assured of keeping fans cool.

A number of UMaine players will be spending part of their summer vacations trying out for national teams which could, in the future, lead to berths on their respective Olympic teams.

A group of former players, meanwhile, will be looking to get back into shape for an alumni game to be held at Alfond Arena later this week.

Fans should get a kick out of the second UMaine hockey alumni game, which will take place Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Alfond Arena on the Orono campus.

Players expected to attend the game include Bob Beers, Eric Weinrich, Keith Carney, Scott Pellerin, Scott King, Martin Robitaille and Bruce Major. Older players, including Andre Aubut, John MacDonald, Robert LaFleur, Gary Conn, and Joe Crespi, are also expected.

“It’s a fun weekend for the guys and they enjoy the game,” said Maine Coach Shawn Walsh. “Last year’s game was real competitive and it ended up something like 12-11. There’s a chance this might be the best collection of (hockey) talent in Maine. I think it’ll be an awfully good time.”

Admission for the game will be $2 for adults and $1 for children.

A “Skate with the Alumni” hour will be held from 1 p.m to 2 p.m., and a barbecue will be held in the parking lot following the game. Cost of the barbecue is $3 per person.

The Friends of Maine Hockey booster club is sponsoring the game.

Current Bears, meanwhile, will find their summer activities becoming a little busier for the rest of the summer.

Four Black Bears will be attending the United States Over-20 training camp to be held in Cromwell, Conn., starting on Aug. 2. Goaltenders Mike Dunham and Garth Snow, along with defensemen Matt Martin and Chris Imes, will be four of 40 players invited to the camp. That number will be cut to 24 skaters, who will then take part in a nine-game exhibition game schedule in Europe.

Two incoming freshmen – the Ferraro twins, Peter and Chris – will be taking part in the U.S. Junior Camp in early August at Lake Placid, N.Y. Defenseman Jim Burcar, a sophomore, may also be invited to attend, though Walsh could not confirm that.

North of the border, Paul Kariya, another new recruit, will be going to the Canadian Junior Camp, looking to make that country’s World Junior team.

“I think it’s good for the players,” Walsh said. “Anytime a player can be selected for possible national competition, it makes them more diversified.”