The University of Maine men’s hockey team has received verbal commitments from a pair of Eastern Junior Hockey League standouts: a hard-nosed, punishing winger and the highest-scoring defenseman in the EJHL last season.

Left winger Rob Bellamy, a 6-foot, 195-pounder from Westfield, Mass., who plays for the Connecticut-based New England Junior Coyotes, and 5-9, 182-pound Junior Bruins defenseman Bret Tyler, who hails from Maynard, Mass., have chosen Maine from among several other Division I schools, including Hockey East institutions.

Both are 18 and will be scholarship athletes.

“Rob is fearless. He enjoys hitting. He goes to the net with a purpose and he’ll hang around in front,” said Coyotes general manager Gary Dineen. “With the exception of [Dallas Star sniper] Billy Guerin, he’s probably the toughest player we’ve ever had here.”

Junior Bruins coach Peter Masters called Bellamy “the most vicious forechecker I’ve ever coached or coached against.”

Bellamy has eight goals and 10 assists in 11 games so far this season, and he indicated he’s working on the finesse aspect of his game to complement the physical style.

Tyler, who had 27 goals and 60 assists a year ago, has registered three goals and nine assists in eight games this season.

Masters said Tyler is a leader and pointed out he is a three-time all-star and was the league’s defenseman of the year last season.

“I’ve coached him for five years and he just missed his first practice ever. He couldn’t get out of bed. He’s a warrior. I love him,” said Masters.

Both players are looking forward to next fall.

“I can’t wait,” said Bellamy, who chose Maine over New Hampshire, Boston University, Massachusetts, and Boston College.

“Alfond Arena is my kind of rink,” said Bellamy. “It’s a small rink and I like to play the body. The fans are crazy there and they love the hits. They really get into the game. And Maine has sent a lot of players to the NHL, so I felt it was the best place for me.”

Bellamy said his official visit to the Maine campus was “awesome.”

“The guys [Maine players] really welcomed me and got to know me and I got to know a lot of them,” said Bellamy.

Tyler, who selected Maine over New Hampshire, UMass, and Providence, said his visit was also memorable.

“I fell in love with it,” said Tyler. “I really liked the atmosphere.”

Their coming to Maine is dependent upon their acceptance and passing NCAA Clearinghouse requirements. Maine coach Tim Whitehead can’t comment on recruits until they have signed letters of intent.

UM women’s team honored

The University of Maine women’s soccer team has received the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Academic Award for maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA during the 2002-03 school year. It is the third consecutive year the program has been honored.

The team posted a 3.31 GPA a year ago.

“Being honored for the third consecutive season is a credit to the consistency of our players performance academically,” Maine coach Scott Atherley said.

Bundy, Lance on all-region team

University of Maine field hockey seniors Karly Bundy and Jaye Lance were named to the STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I Northeast All-Region Team Monday.

Bundy started all 21 games this season and had eight goals and 20 points. Lance started 20 games in goal for the Bears, giving up 26 goals with a save percentage o f .759.