Deschamps makes impact for Bears Recruited walk-on solid contributor on defense for UMaine as a freshman

University of Maine freshman defenseman Matt Deschamps said there are times he still has trouble believing he has been a regular for the past seven games.

He didn’t dress for the first two games.

Deschamps, who is paired with captain Peter Metcalf, has two goals and is tied for third on the team in plus-minus at plus-five entering this weekend’s home games against Northeastern and Quinnipiac (Conn.).

A plus-one is given to a player if he is on the ice when his team scores an even-strength goal; minus-one is handed out if he is out there for an even-strength goal allowed by his team.

“I’ve been very, very surprised. I couldn’t dream of a better situation. It’s been an amazing experience so far and I hope to keep getting better,” said Deschamps, who also kills penalties and sees occasional duty on the power play.

A recruited walk-on, Deschamps wasn’t promised anything by late Maine hockey coach Shawn Walsh last December.

“He told me I’d be on the team but nothing was guaranteed. So I came in and tried to work as hard as I could. The guys have taught me a lot already,” said Deschamps.

He scored a shorthanded goal in his first college game which helped his confidence.

But he doesn’t take anything for granted.

“I still get nervous before every single game. A lot of times, when I walk in the locker room, I don’t feel like I belong. The guys have been great. I’m starting to feel like I do fit in,” said the 6-foot, 195-pound Deschamps.

Deschamps is a native of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and played for the Omaha Lancers in the U.S. Hockey League two years ago and the Walpole Junior Stars of former Black Bear Dave LaCouture last year.

Maine senior right wing Niko Dimitrakos said Deschamps has been a good addition.

“He has good mobility. He’s a good skater. He probably needs to get a little better at moving the puck up quickly and making decisions. But he’s solid in one-on-ones. He’s pretty hard to get by. He gives us a solid two-way game and he doesn’t make mistakes,” said Dimitrakos.

Maine interim head coach Tim Whitehead said Deschamps has “quietly become a very steady defenseman. He’s a tough kid who works hard, keeps his mouth shut and keeps things simple.”

Deschamps said taking care of matters in the defensive zone is his first priority.

“Defense comes first. I play most effectively when I take the body and play physical. I just try to play simple,” said Deschamps.

Being paired with Metcalf has been beneficial, he said.

“He shows you so much. He’s such a great player,” said Deschamps, who feels there is plenty of room for improvement in his game.