Maine lands top recruit from British Columbia Black Bears eager to begin league playoff series

The University of Maine’s hockey program has landed another recruit in British Columbia Junior Hockey League 100-point scorer Keenan Hopson.

Hopson, who plays for the Prince George Spruce Kings, has 34 goals and 66 assists in 58 games and was chosen to the BCJHL All-Star team.

He has verbally committed to attend Maine as a scholarship athlete in the fall.

“He’s a very smart player,” said Prince George general manager Len McNamara. “He can set guys up as well as score. He’s not overly gifted with speed but he plays the game with his head and is always in the right place at the right time. He’s a good all-around player who is very competitive.”

The 20-year-old Hopson leads the Spruce Kings with five shorthanded goals and is tied for second with 10 power-play goals.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder has played both center and wing and was a defenseman last season for Prince George.

Hopson said his decision to attend Maine wasn’t a difficult one and there were several factors including the program’s rich tradition.

“The players were real nice. They were all welcoming. And to see the fan support and how much hockey is a part of Maine [was impressive],” said Hopson. “Everything together sold it. It’s going to be a life experience being at Maine and playing for their program.”

He said it doesn’t matter to him what position he plays.

“Whatever the coach wants,” said Hopson who is excited about the opportunity.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Hopson, who is a native of Prince George, British Columbia.

Bears recall last year’s playoffs

University of Maine coach Tim Whitehead said his players learned a valuable lesson last year when they were swept at home by UMass (5-3, 4-2) in the Hockey East quarterfinals.

It was the first time Maine had ever lost a Hockey East playoff game at the Alfond Arena. Maine had gone 21-0.

“Last year’s experience will help us as far as reminding our players that if you aren’t up for a game, somebody will knock you down,” said Whitehead whose Bears will entertain Merrimack College in their best-of-three series beginning Friday night at Alfond Arena.

“Guys can claim bad bounces, tough breaks or bad calls but those are just excuses. We have to make sure that no matter what the circumstances are, we have to find a way to win,” said Whitehead. “That’s how we’re approaching it.”

He called Merrimack an “extremely hard-working team with very good special teams. The difference between the last time we played them is they have a hot goalie now [in freshman Jim Healey] and that’s what you need in the postseason.”

But Whitehead added that his team is “very focused and looking forward to the challenge.”

Maine beat Merrimack all three times this season, 6-2, 3-1 and 5-2.

Whitehead said goalie Jimmy Howard and Frank Doyle will both play and there are still three or four spots in Friday’s lineup up for grabs.

“It should be a great series,” said Maine senior left winger and captain Todd Jackson. “I expect a real close series. We’re definitely not looking past them.”