Winger Aquino verbally commits to UMaine men’s hockey

Luc Aquino, younger brother of former Merrimack College All-Hockey East second-team selection Anthony Aquino, said he has verbally committed to attend the University of Maine.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Aquino began the week as the leading scorer for the Wexford Raiders (Ontario) of the Provincial Junior A OHA Hockey League with five goals and seven assists in seven games.

In addition to visiting Maine, the Mississauga, Ontario, native visited Merrimack and Ohio State.

“When I visited Maine and saw the school, I liked it a lot. It was unbelievable,” said Aquino, who was also impressed by head coach Tim Whitehead and assistant Grant Standbrook.

“They were real good guys,” said Aquino, who explained the fact Maine has been to eight Frozen Fours in the last 15 years “also played a big part in my decision.”

According to Wexford coach Kevin Burkett, the Bears have landed a gem in the left winger.

“He not only has blazing speed, he never stops working. He has unlimited courage and great hands for a kid moving that fast. He is very dedicated. He’ll be a real asset to the Black Bears,” said Burkett, the father of former Michigan State defenseman Michael Burkett.

The 17-year-old Aquino said he intends to “work real hard this summer” to improve his strength.

Maine will graduate seven forwards off this year’s team.

UM’s Whittier partial qualifier

Katie Whittier of New Gloucester, a freshman at the University of Maine, has been declared a “partial qualifier” under NCAA initial eligibility guidelines.

The ruling, announced Thursday by the NCAA, allows Whittier to practice with the Black Bears effective immediately. However, she is not yet eligible to play in games.

The NCAA action came in response to an appeal of its earlier classification of Whittier as a “non-qualifier.” The university made the appeal on her behalf.

A decision on Whittier’s potential status as a “full qualifier,” which would permit her to play during 2002-03, will be made at a later date.

“It will be great for our team, it’ll be great for Katie,” said UMaine coach Sharon Versyp. “Her being able to practice, to be with the team, will help our cohesiveness.”

Whittier, a 6-foot-2 forward, is a member of this year’s freshman class. She originally was classified as a “non-qualifier” based on her inability to meet the NCAA’s initial eligibility requirements.

Most initial eligibility guidelines concern the high school academic performance of prospective student-athletes. The university is prohibited from commenting on the specifics of Whittier’s situation by the Buckley Amendment, which protects students’ personal information and academic records.

Whittier averaged 13.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.7 blocked shots last season while leading Gray-New Gloucester to its second straight Class B basketball state runner-up finish. She was a two-time NEWS All-Maine second-team selection.