Former Maine player survivor of pro hockey

He has been a Canuck, an Admiral, a Viper and now he is a Pirate.

Former University of Maine winger Jay Mazur is in his ninth pro season.

He is a survivor of the hockey wars and the new Portland Pirate has no intention of hanging up his skates any time soon.

“I haven’t given any thought to retiring,” said the 31-year-old Mazur, who had 67 points in 138 games for the Black Bears. “Coaches have come to me saying they want my speed and leadership. I haven’t lost a step.”

“We were interested in Jay two years ago,” said Pirates coach Barry Trotz. “He has experience, speed and skill. He has played very well for us so far.”

Right winger Mazur has two goals and an assist in six games for the Pirates.

He began the season playing for former Black Bear John Tortorella in Rochester until he got caught in a numbers game and wound up with Tallahassee of the East Coast Hockey League where another former Bear, Jack Capuano, is an assistant coach.

Mazur, who had 14 points in nine games for Tallahassee, was a teammate of ex-Bear Cal Ingraham, who had a pair of goals for the South in Tuesday’s ECHL All-Star game.

Mazur likes being in Portland, saying, “It brings back some memories.”

He is convinced he can play in the NHL – Mazur had 11 goals and 7 assists in 36 games for Vancouver in 1990-91 – but that isn’t his prime objective any more.

“I’m playing for the fun now and to keep food on the table,” said Mazur who is married and the father of two children. “And I want to win a ring. If the opportunity does come to go to the NHL, I’ll be more than happy to go.”

Mazur finished playing in Vancouver’s organization in 1994, notching 40 goals and 55 assists in 78 games for Hamilton in the AHL that year.

He had 23 & 27 in 64 games for the independent Detroit Vipers of the IHL last year.

A deal to play in Europe this season fell through but Tortorella came through.

“He was super nice and he gave me a good contract,” said Mazur, who had seven points in 16 games for Rochester.

Mazur is making $40,000 with incentives that could pay him an extra $25,000.

He thinks the Pirates, now they have regained some players, can make a serious run at the playoffs “and if we get into them, we’ll be one of the top contenders.”