Augusta’s Eric Turgeon called it “the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make.”

But the University of Maine defenseman has decided to pass up his final year of eligibility to join the job market.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Turgeon will graduate with his degree in civil engineering later this month and he said he is currently mulling over four job offers that will pay him anywhere from $38,000-$46,000 per year.

“The market and economy in my field is very good right now. The program I went through is very well respected for civil engineering and there are a lot of job openings,” said Turgeon, who was a redshirt in 1997-98. “If I had stayed to play hockey, I would have had to go to graduate school for my master’s degree and that’s a two-year program.”

Had he stayed, he figures “with a lot of hard work” he could have landed a pro hockey job somewhere after next season.

“But I’m not cut out for that type of lifestyle. It’s not in my personality,” said Turgeon. “And I enjoy the stuff I’ve been studying too much. I really want to explore that. I couldn’t see myself going the minor league hockey route.”

Turgeon is coming off his best season as a Bear with two goals and three assists in 33 games. He had three assists in 14 games in two previous seasons combined.

Turgeon, who has a 3.57 grade point average, feels he played the best hockey of his career this past season.

“And I feel good about that. I feel good about my career and the things I accomplished. I felt I met a lot of my personal goals. As tough as it is to leave, it’s a healthy time to leave. I’m satisfied with what I’ve done in both school and hockey and I won’t leave with any regrets,” said Turgeon, who will depart with a national championship ring from 1998-99.

Johnson heading to Holland

Maine Maritime Academy forward Jed Johnson has been selected by USA Athletes International to play in two international basketball tournaments in Holland May 21-30.

Johnson, a Clinton native and a former Lawrence of Fairfield standout, will be on a 10-man team composed primarily of NCAA Division II and III players. The team will play in the Rotterdam Invitational and the 20th International Toecan Tournament in Utrecht.

Johnson has averaged 16.2 points and 11.1 rebounds per game in his two years playing for the Mariners of Castine.

Stony Brook signs MCI player

Pieter Nieuwenhuyzen, who averaged eight points and four rebounds for the Preppers at Pittsfield’s Maine Central Institute this past season, has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Stony Brook University (N.Y.).

Stony Brook will become a new member of America East next season.

Niewenhuyzen had attended Branson High School (Cal.) prior to coming to MCI and was selected the team’s MVP his senior year when he averaged 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists.