Four-year University of Maine assistant men’s hockey coach Campbell Blair is one of five finalists for the coaching job at Canisius College (N.Y.).

Canisius was 16-15-4 in Atlantic Hockey this past season.

“Campbell is a very talented young coach. He’s also a great person. Hiring him would be a great move for them,” said Whitehead.

The other finalists are Colorado College assistant Joe Bonnett, RPI assistant Frank Bretti, Colgate assistant Stan Moore, and Niagara assistant Jerry Forton.

Blair, a native of Prince George, British Columbia, was a defenseman at Maine for two years (1988-1990) before becoming an undergraduate assistant coach for the Bears.

He went on to coach the Victoria Salsa in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League and became the winningest coach in Salsa history (105-73-16). He was also the team’s general manager.

Maine announces ice schedule

Three of the University of Maine men’s hockey team’s first four games next season will come against two of the Frozen Four teams including a home-opening pair against the Denver Pioneers, who annexed their second consecutive NCAA championship with a 4-1 win over North Dakota on Saturday.

Maine will open its season in the Icebreaker Tournament at Colorado College against the Air Force Academy on Oct. 7 and will then play Colorado College the next night. Colorado College was a 6-2 loser to Denver in their Frozen Four semifinal.

Denver, which beat Maine 1-0 in the NCAA title game two years ago, will visit Maine on Oct. 14-15.

Denver finished 32-9-2, fellow WCHA member Colorado College wound up 31-9-3, and Air Force was 14-19-3 in College Hockey America.

Maine’s other nonleague games will feature two home games against CHA runner-up Alabama-Huntsville (18-10-4) and one with Sacred Heart (Conn.) of Atlantic Hockey (13-21-1); a Dec. 7 game in Portland against ECAC member Brown University (16-14-3), and another appearance in the Dec. 27-28 Florida Everblades College Classic where they will face Minnesota-Duluth (15-17-6) of the WCHA and either Hockey East rival Northeastern (15-18-5) or ECAC power Cornell (27-5-3).

Meanwhile, the Hockey East schedule will expand from 24 to 27 games with the addition of Vermont from the ECAC.

“It’s a very challenging start to the season,” said Whitehead. “It’s a great way to open our season at home with Denver. It’s a great opportunity for our fans to see a team they don’t normally see.”

In addition, Maine will host an exhibition game against the U.S. National Development Program’s Under-18 team on Nov. 19.

“It’s always fun to see the future stars of college hockey. And we’re currently recruiting some of the players off the U-17 team, who will be on the U-18 team next season,” said Whitehead.

Whitehead feels Vermont (21-14-4) will be a welcome addition to the league.

“They were an NCAA-caliber team. Joining our league will make our league that much stronger,” he said.

Moore chosen Maine captain

Right wing Greg Moore, who will be a senior in the fall, has been selected as the captain for next year’s Black Bear men’s hockey team with center Michel Leveille, defenseman Steve Mullin, and goalie Jimmy Howard serving as assistant captains.

Leveille was an assistant captain this past season.

All were chosen by the players and coaches.

“I’m very pleased with our captains,” said Whitehead. “All four of them are elite players in their own way. They train extremely hard and set a great example in all areas.”

UMaine coaches reading today

Today is Community Reading Day and the University of Maine will be represented in the program by four Black Bear coaches.

Men’s hockey coach Tim Whitehead, football coach Jack Cosgrove, men’s basketball coach Ted Woodward, and assistant swimming and diving coach Susan Lizzotte will visit Bangor area schools to spend time reading with students.

The program is part of the state’s reading initiative.

Whitehead, Woodward, and Lizzotte will be at the Asa Adams School in Orono starting at 10 a.m., while Cosgrove will visit Vine Street School in Bangor, also at 10 a.m.

UMaine coaches have participated in Community Reading Day since its inception eight years ago. It promotes reading as a lifelong activity and hopes to show students the joy of reading.

UM unveils Buddies Program

The University of Maine athletic department has teamed up with Old Town Dairy Queen to sponsor a Baseball and Softball Buddies Program.

The arrangement is aimed at Little League baseball and softball programs as well as youth groups throughout the state.

As part of the Old Town Dairy Queen Baseball and Softball Buddies Program, youngsters can join Black Bear players on the field prior to the game for the playing of the Star Spangled Banner.

UMaine plays its first home baseball games Saturday and Sunday at noon against Maryland Baltimore County, while the softball team has a two-game series with Albany on April 23-24.

For more information or to sign up, call 581-1086 or e-mail goblackbears@umit.maine.edu.