Perron may fill recruiting void left by Standbrook Howard, Moore invited to tryout

With University of Maine assistant hockey coach and recruiting coordinator Grant Standbrook recuperating from surgery on both knees this summer, head coach Tim Whitehead said newly named volunteer assistant coach Guy Perron may help fill the recruiting void.

“He will first have to pass an NCAA recruiting exam later this month,” said Whitehead.

Division I college hockey teams are allowed to have three full-time coaches – a head coach and two assistants – and they must do all of the off-campus recruiting. Volunteer assistants aren’t allowed to recruit off-campus or contact recruits by phone.

However, due to Standbrook’s incapacitation, Whitehead said they have contacted the NCAA about receiving permission to utilize Perron as a recruiter until Standbrook returns.

“The initial phone call to the NCAA was positive and we hope to finalize it in the next couple of weeks,” said Whitehead.

“I had talked to Guy about it and he’s interested in doing it,” said Whitehead who added that he and Campbell Blair, his other full-time assistant, will do more recruiting than usual to help compensate for Standbrook’s loss.

Whitehead said the summer has become a “very important time for recruiting, especially with early commitments. There is an event for [college] prospects every weekend now. It has become increasingly important to hit the road.”

He said he is elated to have Perron on board. The Laval, Quebec, native was a former Maine captain and assistant coach who spent the last six seasons as the head coach of the Chicago Freeze of the North American Hockey League.

Perron intends to work on his master’s degree.

“Guy and I have known each other for 12 years. He’s a real good guy and we’re adding a great coach to our program,” said Whitehead.

Standbrook fell down five steps at a rink in Hingham, Mass., and his quadriceps tendons detached from both knees.

He underwent surgery on May 29 at Portland’s Mercy Hospital to reattach the tendons.

“I’m coming along. I’m not in pain any more,” said Standbrook.

After a recuperative period, he will begin rehabilitation. He hopes to be back on the recruiting trail in August.

Standbrook has recruited 27 All-Americans in his 15 seasons at Maine.

Bear duo earn U.S. camp berths

University of Maine goalie Jimmy Howard and right winger Greg Moore were selected to the 2003 United States National Junior Evaluation Camp roster for the top 43 American players under the age of 20.

The camp will be in Lake Placid, N.Y. from Aug. 3-10 and two U.S. squads will play exhibition games against U-20 teams from Finland and Sweden.

Both played for the U.S. National Junior team this past season and will contend for spots on next season’s team.

Howard was the Hockey East Rookie of the Year with a 14-6 record 2.45 goals-against average and .916 save percentage last season while Moore scored nine goals and added seven assists in 33 games.

Bear alumni weekend July 6-7

The Maine hockey program’s alumni weekend will be July 6-7.

There will be an alumni hockey game on Sunday, July 6 at 2:30 p.m.

The golf outing will be the following day beginning at 8 a.m. at the Penobscot Valley Country Club in Orono.

Entry fees for the golf tournament are $150 per person to teams with hole sponsorships for $650. It includes a cart and the post-tournament meal.

It is $20 for those who just want to attend the barbecue/meal.

Registration information can be obtained by calling Jean Goss at 581-1106. You can also contact her by email at jean.goss@umit.maine.edu. Registration form may also be downloaded from GoBlackBears.com and faxed to 581-1102.