The University of Maine men’s hockey team has received verbal commitments from a pair of forwards from the Nanaimo Clippers of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.

Center Michel Leveille, the third-leading scorer in the league with 33 goals and 75 assists in 52 games, will attend Maine this fall and winger Brent Shepheard will head to Orono in the fall of 2003.

Shepheard, who hails from Victoria, British Columbia, had 21 goals and 24 assists in 42 games.

Leveille, a native of Levis, Quebec, must first pass the TOEFL test which assesses a student-athlete’s comprehension of the English language.

“Michel is, arguably, the best player in the BC Hockey League’s graduating class,” said Nanaimo coach and general manager Bill Bestwick. “He is one of the most creative and clever players I’ve ever had the privilege to coach.”

“He’s an impact player in all aspects and will be a great player in the college game on the big surfaces. He’s a gifted skater,” added Bestwick, who said the BCJHL all-star was also recruited by Boston University, Michigan Tech, Nebraska-Omaha, New Hampshire, Michigan, and Minnesota-Duluth.

Bestwick described Shepheard as “gritty, feisty, abrasive. He’s a great role player. He plays with his heart on his sleeve. He will be a fan favorite.”

Shepheard, who was recruited by Quinnipiac and Minnesota-Duluth, will play for Nanaimo again next season.

“He’s a left wing who can also play on the right side. He led last year’s team with 29 goals. He’ll fly into the corners and to the front of the net. He’ll block shots; he’ll get in your face,” added Bestwick. “If he doesn’t hit someone on a shift, he’ll come off the ice ticked off.”

Leveille, 20, and Shepheard, 19, both played for British Columbia in the prestigious Viking Cup.

“Some scouts and coaches told me Leveille was the best player at the Viking Cup,” said Bestwick.

Bestwick said Shepheard missed five weeks due to a separated shoulder prior to returning for the Viking Cup.

“He separated the other shoulder at the Viking Cup, but he never missed a game,” said Bestwick. According to Bestwick, Shepheard took off his shoulder harness, inverted it, and put in on the newly injured shoulder.