Jimmy Howard said the decision was “even harder than I thought it would be.”

But ever since he first put on goalie pads, the University of Maine record-setting goalie said he has dreamed of playing in the National Hockey League. And he moved closer to making that a reality Wednesday when he agreed to a contract with the Detroit Red Wings.

By deciding to pass up his senior year at Maine, he will sign a three-year deal and will receive a signing bonus in the vicinity of $500,000.

Howard was a second-round pick of the Red Wings and the 64th overall selection in the 2003 entry draft.

He has a two-way contract, meaning his salary will be higher if he makes the Red Wings roster than it will be if he plays in the minors. Detroit’s American Hockey League affiliate is the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Howard, the 2002-2003 Hockey East Rookie of the Year and 2003-2004 second team All-American, said “I didn’t think I could pass up an opportunity like this.

“It’s time for a new challenge and I’m ready to meet this challenge head on,” he said.

The 21-year-old Howard said the decision was on his mind “from the time I woke up to the time I went to bed [all summer long]. It got to where it started to wear on me.

“I felt lost. But it feels good now,” said the 6-foot, 220-pound native of Ogdensburg, N.Y.

Red Wings scout Mark Leach said the organization is excited to have Howard on board and feels it is important for him to “establish himself at the pro level.

“We feel, as an organization, he has all the attributes, ability and mental toughness to become an NHL goalie,” said Leach. “We felt it was time for him to move on, to get into his pro career and play 40 or 50 games, sometimes three games in three nights, over an 80-game schedule against older professionals at a higher level.

“He definitely learned a great deal at Maine and he is in much better shape than he was when we drafted him. At this point in time, he’s ready to become a pro, to get into our system and play at the next level,” added Leach, who has monitored Howard’s career closely.

“He’s in such control. He challenges shooters. He’s quick as a cat. And he always steps to the forefront in the big games,” said Leach.

Leach said the fact Howard chose Maine was one of the reasons they drafted him.

“Maine produces [pro] goalies. It’s a tribute to what [late head coach] Shawn Walsh started,” said Leach. “And Grant [Maine assistant coach Standbrook] does a great job with them.”

Six former Black Bear goalies have played in the NHL and several more have reached the AHL level.

Howard said he intends to focus “on the things that made me successful in college: being out, playing my angles and making the easy save.”

He said he will miss Maine.

“That was my home for three years. I’ll miss the fans, the atmosphere, the camaraderie, all the coaches and all the guys. They all impacted my life in a positive way,” said Howard.

Howard will leave Maine with a school-record 15 shutouts, the school’s lowest career goals-against average (1.84) and highest career save percentage (.931). He also set the record for shutout sequence (193 minutes, 45 seconds). He set NCAA and school single-season records for GAA (1.19) and save percentage (.956) two years ago.

He compiled a 47-23-10 record during his career.

The goaltending will be inherited by sophomore Matt Lundin, who appeared in nine games a year ago, and 6-6 freshman Ben Bishop, a third- round draft pick of St. Louis.

“The goaltending will be fine,” said Howard. “Like we say, ‘In Grant we Trust.’ He goes out and recruits unbelievable goaltenders.”

Maine head coach Tim Whitehead and Bear captain Greg Moore said Howard will be missed.

“We’re obviously disappointed not to have Jim for the upcoming season. He would have been a big asset to our team. He’ll always be known as one of the great goaltenders to come through the program,” said Moore. “The other side of it is I’m real happy for him because he can realize his life-long goal. He’s moving on to a new challenge.”

Whitehead said Howard is “definitely ready to play at the next level. It’s a great challenge and I’m very proud of him. I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people how quickly he’ll adjust to elite level shots.

“I think he’ll move up the charts pretty quickly. He can certainly hold his head high with the contributions he made at the University of Maine. I’ve never coached a player with as much courage and composure under fire as Jimmy Howard.”

HOWARD CAREER STATS

Year G W-L-T Sv.% GAA

2002-03 21 14-6-0 .916 2.45

2003-04 22 14-4-3 .956 1.19

2004-05 39 19-13-7 .924 1.92

Totals 82 47-23-10 .931 1.84