ORONO – Defenseman Troy Barnes was set to attend Division III Plattsburgh State University (N.Y.) when he received a call from University of Maine assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Grant Standbrook two weeks before the first day of school.

“He told me he liked what he saw so we wound up working something out,” said Barnes.

Maine had just lost junior defenseman Doug Janik to the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres so some scholarship money became available and Barnes admits “that was a big part of my coming here and I really appreciate it.”

The money has been well spent.

After struggling with the transition for the first part of the season and spending 10 of the first 23 games as a healthy scratch, Barnes has become a regular over the last 17 games and has been steady along the blue line.

“He is a really smart hockey player,” said his defense partner, Francis Nault. “He knows what to do with the puck. He doesn’t try to be too fancy.”

Senior goalie Mike Morrison concurs, saying, “Troy doesn’t try to do too much with the puck. If he can’t make a play, he’ll chip the puck off the glass [and get it out of the defensive zone]. He knows where his guys are all the time and anticipates well. He’s a very good athlete.”

Barnes acknowledged that his first few weeks were eye-openers.

“I wasn’t real confident. It was a big change. But I got a lot of help from the veterans and the freshmen,” said Barnes, who has four assists in 30 games and is plus-12 in the plus-minus category.

Players are awarded a plus-one if they are on the ice when their team scores an even-strength goal and a minus-one when they are on the ice for a goal against them.

“I’m very happy with the way things have gone. It’s nice that the coach and the staff have confidence in me. But any one of the freshmen can step in and play an important part on the team right now,” said Barnes.

Interim head coach Tim Whitehead said one of the primary reasons for Barnes’ development has been the strength he has gained from weight training.

Barnes agreed.

“We’re all a lot bigger and stronger,” said Barnes. “That has really helped my confidence. I’ve worked hard on that. I’ve hit the gym every day with the team.”

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Pembroke, Ontario, native was an offensive-minded defenseman for the Pembroke Lumber Kings in the Central Junior Hockey League last season.

He was chosen the league’s best defenseman and was the runner-up for the league MVP award.

“Right now, I don’t want to try to do too much. I just want to keep the puck out of our net. If I don’t have a play, I’m just going to chip the puck off the glass. I know our speedy forwards will get it,” said Barnes. “I played a more offensive style in juniors but you’ve got to work your way up to that. You’ve got to earn your offensive risk.

“I don’t take very many but I try to take them at the right times. As I gain more confidence, I’ll contribute more offensively,” said Barnes, who is thankful he received the opportunity to play at Maine.

“I couldn’t ask for a better place to be. All the guys are great. They’re all willing to help the young guys. It has been a lot of fun,” said Barnes.

He and his mates will face Harvard in the NCAA Eastern Regional Tournament’s first round at the Worcester (Mass.) Centrum on Saturday at noon.

New hockey trainer enjoying season

University of Maine men’s hockey trainer Mark Badurak has enjoyed his first season in Orono and called the Bears “a tough group of guys.

“There aren’t many softies on this team. They’ve been playing with bumps and bruises all year,” said Badurak, a native of Salem, N.H., and a former trainer at Union College (N.Y.). “They fit the mold of hockey players.”

Hockey players are renowned for their high pain tolerance and ability to keep playing despite injuries.

The 27-year-old Badurak, who earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of Delaware and his masters in education with an emphasis on athletic training from Old Dominion, said the year has gone by quickly and the Bears have been “pretty lucky” injury-wise.

“I’ve been busy but it has been one [injured] guy at a time, not five,” said Badurak.

He said you “couldn’t find a more supportive coach than Tim [Whitehead]. He’s a great listener.”

Rally planned before Maine game

There will be a pre-game University of Maine pep rally at the Irish Times Restaurant and Pub at 244 Main St. in Worcester, Mass. on Saturday at 10 a.m.

If Maine beats Harvard, another rally will be held Sunday at 10 before the noon game with Boston University.

There will be a cash bar and munchies available and the Black Bear marching band will perform.

For more information, contact the UMaine Alumni Association at 1-800-934-2586.