Dan Kerluke, who last winter led the Bangor High School hockey team to its first berth in an Eastern Maine Class A championship game in its 22-year history, has left Bangor to become a volunteer assistant coach with the University of Maine men’s hockey team.

He replaces Jamie Dumont who left last week to take a full-time assistant coaching position at Bowling Green.

Maine head coach Tim Whitehead called Kerluke a “very talented young coach.

“He has always impressed me with his personality and his work as a coach. He has a lot of passion for the game and a lot of passion for Maine hockey. It’s a great pick-up for us,” said Whitehead.

Kerluke, 28, played four seasons at Maine, collecting 54 goals and 54 assists in 152 games. The Brampton, Ontario, native played on Maine’s 1998-99 NCAA championship team, notching 23 goals and 19 assists.

He compiled a 43-20-1 record in three seasons at Bangor and led the Rams to the EM Class A playoffs each year. He guided them to a school-record 18 wins last season before a 3-2 loss to Lewiston in the EM A final.

“This is a tremendous opportunity and one I couldn’t turn down. But we worked very hard building up the program at Bangor High and the support I received from [superintendent] Sandy Ervin and [athletic director] Steve Vanidestine helped me grow as a person and as a coach,” said Kerluke. “I had a tremendous time there.”

Kerluke, who manages the screen printing department at W.S. Emerson in Brewer, will work with the Bear forwards and will handle some of the videotaping duties.

“This is a large step from high school. I have a lot to learn. There’s a ton of [coaching] experience in this building [Alfond Arena] and I’m going to soak up everything I can. I can’t wait to get on the ice,” said Kerluke.

Kerluke’s wife, Crissy, works with the hockey team and several other Black Bear teams as an academic counselor.

UMaine defense shows promise

Last season, the UMaine football team struggled on defense. Coach Jack Cosgrove’s Black Bears ranked 11th among 12 Atlantic 10 teams in total defense, surrendering 404 yards per game. That included 245 ypg via the pass.

UMaine also allowed 26.9 points per contest.

The Bears’ defensive unit made a statement about its potential for 2005 during Saturday’s season opener at Division I-A Nebraska.

UMaine held the Cornhuskers to 25 points, including four field goals, and 313 total yards.

“I thought for the most part they played well,” said defensive coordinator Rich Nagy. “I learned they’ve got heart, they compete and they can battle through some adversity.”

Leading the way for the Bears was senior linebacker Jermaine Walker. He piled up 14 tackles, caused a fumble and deflected a pass that was intercepted by Reginald Paramoure.

Walker credited the defensive line, led by Mike DeVito, Bruno Dorismond and Paramoure, with opening up gaps.

The defense came up with three fumbles and two interceptions and showed remarkable resilience despite being backed up deep in its own territory several times.

“[The defense was] outstanding in the red zone, especially, forcing field goals and making plays down there, creating a bunch of turnovers,” Cosgrove said.

UMaine also showed signs it is developing younger players. Sophomore linebacker John Wormuth posted nine tackles in his first start, while freshman Jovan Belcher made six hits in his first college game.

The Bears also welcomed the return of senior safety Jarrod Gomes who made six tackles, one a touchdown-saver.

The switch of junior Daren Stone (eight tackles, interception) from safety to cornerback also appears to have paid dividends. UMaine initiated freshmen cornerbacks Lamir Whetstone and Steven Barker, along with linebackers Andrew Downey and Sean Wasson.

“We just had the mind-set that everybody just needs to do their own job and everything will fall into place,” Gomes said. “We just have to play as a unit.”