UM’s Michaud, Canucks finalize deal> Standout goalie signs contract, will report to Vancouver rookie camp on July 4

The University of Maine contingent at the Vancouver Canucks organization got even stronger Thursday with the news that the NHL team has signed Black Bears goalie and 1999 Frozen Four MVP Alfie Michaud to a free agent contract.

Michaud, whose goaltending in the NCAA hockey tournament helped lift the Black Bears to their second NCAA championship, will forego his senior year at UMaine and will report July 4 to a rookie camp in Vancouver.

“I’m just going to go in there and stop the puck, do what I do,” Michaud said via cellular phone from Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, a stop on a trip for his job in the public relations department of the Federation of the Saskatchewan Indian Nation.

Because he was undrafted as a high-schooler, Michaud enjoyed free-agent status and was eligible to sign with any NHL team. The Canucks were working the past several days to finalize the deal. Terms of Michaud’s contract were not disclosed by the Canucks.

Michaud said he has “no regrets” about leaving UMaine before his senior season.

“I think if I had any regrets I wouldn’t have signed,” he said. “I’ve been chasing this dream for 13 years.”

The 5-foot-10, 177-pound Selkirk, Manitoba, native stopped 81 of the 84 shots he faced in two games of the Frozen Four tournament in Anaheim, Calif. Michaud posted a 28-6-3 record and a 2.32 goals-against average this season and a 60-26-8 career record.

Michaud will join UMaine senior and Hobey Baker finalist Steve Kariya at the rookie camp in July. Michaud said having Kariya at the camp will make the experience all the better.

“I consider Steve one of my best friends,” Michaud said. “To have a best friend there is great.”

Other former Black Bears associated with the Canucks include goalie Garth Snow and Dave Nonis, who was named senior vice president and director of hockey operations last fall.

The Canucks are coached by Marc Crawford, who directed the Colorado Avalanche to the Stanley Cup in 1996. Michaud said he’s excited to have the chance to play for the successful coach.