UMaine hockey Blue-White game set for Sunday Many friends, fans attend Walsh wake

The University of Maine men’s hockey Blue-White game will be held Sunday at 1 p.m. at Alfond Arena and “Skate with the Bears,” which gives the public the opportunity to skate and talk with the players, will follow.

The Blue-White game will be held one day after the funeral of coach Shawn Walsh, who died Monday after a 15-month battle with kidney cancer. Walsh’s funeral mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. today at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bangor.

There will be a memorial service Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. at Alfond Arena in Orono.

Walsh’s wake was held Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at St. John’s and a steady stream of family, friends, and fans attended.

Among those who paid their respects were: former Bear players Eric Weinrich, Jim Montgomery, Chris Cambio, Bruce Major, Dave Capuano, Scott King, Mike Golden, Jim Burke, Doug Janik, A.J. Begg, Bob Beers, and Jimmy Leger; college head coaches Ron Mason (Michigan State), Tim Taylor (Yale), Bob Gaudet (Dartmouth), Don Cahoon (UMass), Jack Parker (Boston University), Terry Meagher (Bowdoin) and Jim Tortorella (Colby);

Also, Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna and supervisor of officials Brendan Sheehy; former UMaine and current Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White, who was on his way to Texas A&M for a football game; Maine football coach Jack Cosgrove and wife Marilyn; Sharon Versyp and her Black Bear women’s basketball team; current hockey captain Peter Metcalf; and former UMaine president Fred Hutchinson.

The university is discussing having the Maine players wear a shamrock with “SW” on their jerseys in honor of Walsh.

Winston Cup driver Ricky Craven of Newburgh will wear decals in memory of Walsh on his helmet and on his Tide No. 32 Ford for Sunday’s Protection One 400 race at Kansas Speedway.

One interesting aspect of the Blue-White game will be the debut of junior winger Tommy Reimann as a defenseman. Maine has only three experienced defensemen back, so interim head coach Tim Whitehead will look at Reimann along the blue line.

“I like the idea. Coach Walsh called me in midsummer and told me about it. So I worked more on my upper body,” said the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Reimann.

“I played defense in Juniors. I like the fact you can see the whole play happening in front of you. I think I’ll be able to contribute to the team back there,” Reimann added. “I think I’ll be able to move the puck out of the [defensive] zone quickly [with a pass or by skating it out].”

Reimann, who has played the point on the power play at Maine, also feels he will be able to jump into the play and help generate some offense.

The Friends of Maine Hockey group has scheduled “Skate with the Bears” for Sunday at approximately 3 p.m.

All fans are invited, and kids ages 13 and younger will have the chance to skate alongside their favorite Black Bear players.

Husson plans homecoming events

Husson College in Bangor has several athletics events planned as part of its homecoming weekend celebration Saturday and Sunday.

Basketball and baseball standout Timothy Murphy (Class of 1976); basketball, softball, and volleyball performer Lynne Michaud (1983, ’86, and ’92), and basketball players Sharon Siebert (’91) and Dennis Cooper (’82) have been selected for induction into the Husson Sports Hall of Fame.

Winkin Complex ceremony set

Husson will hold the official ribbon cutting Sunday for the John W. Winkin Baseball Complex. The ceremony is set for 10:30 a.m. at the Winkin Complex.

Winkin has donated property and cash worth $250,000 to Husson to fund the improvements. The first phase of the project, which included walk-in dugouts, a new press box, a new backstop with netting, and permanent fencing, has been completed.

Greenfield to have jersey retired

Husson also will retire the No. 27 baseball jersey of former Braves baseball standout Harry Greenfield. The ceremony will be held immediately following the ribbon cutting.

Greenfield, who lives in New York City, played at Husson from 1963-66. He posted a career batting average of .414 with 12 home runs, 74 RBIs, and 108 hits, including 23 doubles and 10 triples. He stole 18 bases.