The University of Maine’s hockey program has players from five different countries on its current roster and, next season, they will have a player from Slovakia.

Robert Liscak, a forward from Skalica, Slovakia, who plays for the Nipawin Hawks of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, has verbally committed to attend the university in the fall.

“He is tremendously talented,” said Nipawin coach Bruce Thompson, who has coached Liscak for three years. “He’s a two-way player. He quarterbacks our power play and makes good decisions. He plays well in his own end. He’s a terrific leader and a good character kid.”

Liscak has played in 18 games and has 15 goals and 18 assists so far. He chipped a bone in his wrist and missed several games but came back and had a goal and three assists in a 4-3 overtime win on Tuesday. He has played all three forward positions in his three years at Nipawin.

Thompson said Liscak compares favorably with former Nipawin standout and current Merrimack College star Rejean Stringer. Stringer led the nation in assists a year ago with 46 for the Warriors.

“They’re very similar players,” said Thompson. “Robert is more aggressive than Rejjie. Rejjie is a tremendous playmaker who is very gifted offensively and is good in his own end. Robert is a better skater. Both of them see the ice very well.”

The 20-year-old Liscak, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 180 pounds, chose Maine over the likes of Providence College, Ohio State and Boston University. He will have four years of eligibility pending admission to the school.

“I think Maine has a really good chance to go for a championship and that’s what I want to do,” said Liscak. “They have a great program and a great coaching staff. The players were real friendly.”

He added that “The coaches didn’t hide anything. When they talked to me, they told me what they expect me to do and what I can expect from them.”

Phil McGeoghan, Eric Lewis and Bert Rich of the University of Maine football team are among 53 football players named to the 1998 Atlantic 10 All-Academic Teams.

To be eligible, student-athletes must carry a grade point average of at least 3.0 and be a starter or key reserve on his team.

McGeoghan, a sophomore wide receiver from Agawam, Mass., led the Black Bear contingent with a 3.2 GPA in marketing. Senior cornerback Lewis, of East Amherst, N.Y., posted a 3.17 in business.

Rich, a senior tailback from South Portland, logged a 3.13 GPA in kinesiology and physical education.