Former University of Maine defenseman and captain Peter Metcalf said signing a two-year contract with the Boston Bruins has given him the opportunity to realize a “childhood dream.”

Metcalf, who earned All-American honors while leading the Black Bears to a berth in the NCAA championship game this past season, grew up in Pembroke, Mass., and has followed the Bruins since he was a youngster.

Metcalf, Hockey East’s leading point-getter among defensemen with 50 points (9 goals, 41 assists) in 44 games, was a ninth-round pick of Toronto in 1999 but they chose not to sign him.

“I’ll have to prove myself but I’ve had to do that my whole life. I’m used to it,” said Metcalf, who likes his chances of cracking the Bruins lineup some day.

“[Bruins general manager] Mike O’Connell and the Bruins scouts seem to like me and my style of play. And they might have a need for some offensive defensemen,” said Metcalf, who racked up 108 points and 200 penalty minutes in 148 career games at Maine.

Bruins defensemen scored just 25 goals in 88 games including the playoffs.

On the Boston Bruins Web site, O’Connell said, “Peter is an offensive defenseman who plays with some bite. He’s a local kid and we’ve followed his progress from Cushing Academy throughout his four years at the University of Maine and we feel he’s an excellent prospect for this organization.”

Metcalf, who is a fierce competitor, wouldn’t disclose the terms of his contract but his signing bonus is believed to be in the $100,000 range.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Metcalf said he talked to four other teams but feels he has a “great opportunity” with the Bruins and that he “likes where they’re headed. They had a great team this past season. I want to win.”

He will begin working out with Bruins strength and conditioning coach John Whitesides on Monday and will play in a pro league in Hingham, Mass., two nights a week this summer in preparation for the Bruins training camp this fall.

He said he would like to “quicken my first three steps” in addition to improving his strength and that he expects to start the season with the AHL’s Providence Bruins.