This weekend, they will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the University of Maine’s hockey program. There is no disputing the emotional extremes created by the program, from the exuberance over UMaine’s first Division I national championship in 1992-93 to the black eye caused by the NCAA violations and ensuing sanctions.

If you separate those high and low points and look at the overall picture, you discover that the program has produced 14 winning seasons in 20 years and eight NCAA tournament appearances.

Alumni weekends have a special meaning. Former Bear Paul Giacalone, who played during the lean years, once summed it up best by saying there is a unique bond shared by former Black Bears.

Maine’s geographical location creates somewhat of a Maine vs. the world mentality and that galvanizes the players’ relationship.

There is a sense of family.

Maine is one of the only schools outside of Alaska that has to travel three and a half hours to play its nearest rival.

No matter how you choose to look upon the program, the bottom line is that it has won consistently and is one of the nation’s leading colleges in terms of producing NHL players.

It is fun to reflect back upon the 20 years. There were some marvellous wins and heartbreaking losses.

The program has certainly provided a great source of entertainment during the seemingly-endless winters.

As you drive around Eastern Maine, you can always find a street hockey game somewhere. Harold Alfond and the UMaine program got the ball rolling 21 years ago with the building of Alfond Arena.

The sport has finally caught on all across the country and is enjoying tremendous popularity. There will be more NHL teams in the southern and western states than there are in Canada.

We have finally discovered what Canadians have known for many, many years: this sport is something special. Here’s hoping the University of Maine’s program can regain the limelight for its on-ice success and not it’s off-ice transgressions.

– Larry Mahoney, BDN

Readers may submit “Sounding Off” comments to the Bangor Daily News’ Sports Desk at P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329. Our fax number is (207) 990-8092. The opinions expressed are the writers’, not the BDN’s. All comments will be edited for accuracy, clarity, content, and taste. Letters must be signed and include an address and telephone number.