UM hockey gets verbal commitment

Center Colin Shields, who will play for Great Britain in the Tier II World Junior Championships in Japan later this year, has verbally committed to attend the University of Maine on a hockey scholarship next fall.

The 19-year-old Shields, a two-time British junior national, will become the first Scot to play at Maine. He hails from Glasgow although he moved to North America when he was 14.

He is currently playing for the Cleveland Barons in the North American Hockey League and is the league’s leading scorer with 10 goals and 10 assists through 10 games.

He had 30 goals and 30 assists in 56 games for Cleveland a year ago and was the league’s eighth-leading scorer.

His mother, the former Margaret Wilson, was a British figure skating champion and his father, Martin, has coached pro teams in Great Britain.

“His mother taught him how to skate and he is a powerful skater,” said Cleveland coach Tim Alexander. “His speed is his biggest asset. He also has great hands and is a talented goal scorer. He’ll be a real good player at Maine.”

Shields said he had visited Michigan State and Miami of Ohio in addition to Maine and had talked to several other schools.

“I’m really looking forward to coming to Maine,” said Shields, who is a 6-foot, 185-pounder. “I had a real positive visit last weekend. The players and coaches were really focused on hockey and the program means a lot to the school and the community.”

He also said the Maine’s national championship last season entered into his decision.

“That was definitely a factor. Maine is in contention for the national title every year. Everybody there is focused on winning,” said Shields.

Due to NCAA regulations, the Maine coaching staff isn’t allowed to comment.

Bowdoin hosting water polo

Bowdoin College’s club team will host the seven-team Collegiate Water Polo Association Division III National Tournament at Greason Pool on Saturday and Sunday.

The other teams are Bates College of Lewiston, Rochester University (N.Y.), Grinnell College (Iowa), Lycoming College (Pa.), Wesleyan (Conn.), and Macalester (Minn.) College.

There will be two brackets with Bowdoin, Rochester, and Macalester in one with the other four schools in the other. They will play within their brackets and the two bracket winners will vie for the national championship on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.