ORONO – When the University of Maine men’s hockey team played in its last NCAA Frozen Four at the FleetCenter (now TD Banknorth Garden) in Boston two years ago, nine current players hadn’t arrived at Maine yet.

So what will the veterans who were on that team tell the players who will be making their Frozen Four debuts at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee on Thursday against Wisconsin?

“One of the biggest things is to prepare themselves like they would for every other game. Don’t let it get to you too much,” said junior left wing Mike Hamilton. “Don’t get too nervous. Just relax and remember to play your game. Play how you did to get us where we are right now.”

Junior center Michel Leveille said, “It’s just another day at the pond.”

“Just focus on yourself and don’t worry about what’s going on outside,” he added. “[Sports information director Brent Williamson] does a good job making sure you meet who you’re supposed to [in the media].”

Junior defenseman Mike Lundin said he would tell them, first of all, to enjoy this week.

“We’re one of only four teams still in it. Take in all the media buzz and everything and enjoy it once we get there,” he said. “I got there my freshman year, but you don’t know if you’re ever going to make it back. Frozen Fours don’t come by that often. Fortunately, I’ve got another chance.”

Senior center Jon Jankus concurred.

“Enjoy it. You never know if you’re going to get another chance to get back there,” he said. “Work hard and do everything you can to win.”

Lundin said he will also advise them to “not get too worked up. We’re going to get a lot of attention, the game is going to be sold out, and there’s going to be lots of media. Don’t get a big head. Go out, be focused, and play relaxed like we have been.”

Senior center Derek Damon said, “Although there will be a media frenzy like there is for any Frozen Four, we still have to go out there and do the job we’re going there to do: Win two games and come away with a national championship.”

“It’s hard not to get distracted. The media is tenfold over what it was at the beginning of the year,” Damon added. “But the main reason we’re out there is to win two games, and we have to stay the course. That’s where our senior leadership and the coaching staff comes in. As long as they take in what we tell them, they should be all right.”

Damon said he learned a valuable lesson at the last Frozen Four, where Maine beat Boston College 2-1 in the semifinals and lost to Denver 1-0 in the title game.

“I remember it went by so fast. At the end of the Denver game, it was ‘Wow it’s already gone.’ I learned that you need to focus harder for those games,” he said. “I wasn’t focused enough in the semifinal and the final, and it showed in the way I played. I have to focus more on what I have to do and how I can help the team win.”

Maine natives recall 1992-93 title

The four Maine natives on the team remember the last time Maine went to the Frozen Four at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee: the Bears’ first NCAA championship in 1992-93 courtesy of a 4-3 overtime win over Michigan, then a come-from-behind 5-4 win over Lake Superior State in the final.

That team, led by Jim Montgomery, Hobey Baker Award-winning freshman Paul Kariya and the goaltending tandem of Mike Dunham and Garth Snow, went 42-1-2.

“I remember rushing home from class just to watch the game. It was on in the afternoon. I remember how exciting it was. I was sitting on the edge of my couch, shaking the whole time. I was caught up in the game and the excitement,” said Lisbon’s Moore.

Bangor’s Damon said he was lying on the living room floor watching the game with his parents Doug and Cherie.

“It was probably the most exciting point of my life up until then. I saw [the videotapes] ’42-1-2′ and ‘Out of the Woods’ numerous times. Everybody in our locker room has seen it. It’s all in the back of our minds. We just want to get out there and get started,” said Damon.

Sophomore goalie Ryan Shelley of Gray said, “It was pretty incredible. I don’t remember too much, but all I remember is the comeback against Lake State. That was awesome.”

Maine rallied for three third period goals by Montgomery to erase a 4-2 deficit.

“I watched them all the time. I still remembered them playing UNH in the Cumberland County Civic Center. I was there. It was unreal,” Shelley said.

Windham’s Matt Duffy, Maine’s freshman defenseman, said he watched the ’93 Frozen Four from his house.

“I thought they were going to pull it off. It was great. I loved watching Maine hockey growing up. It’s the place I wanted to be,” said Duffy.

Whitehead a Penrose finalist

UMaine coach Tim Whitehead has been named one of 11 finalists for the 2006 AHCA Men’s Ice Hockey Division One Coach of the Year award, known as the Spencer Penrose Award.

Whitehead won the Penrose Award in 2002.

To be a finalist, coaches must be either voted coach of the year in a conference or have taken a team to the Frozen Four that year.

The rest of the finalists are Miami’s Enrico Blasi, Dave Burkholder of Niagara, Wisconsin’s Mike Eaves, Dartmouth’s Bob Gaudet, Dave Hakstol of North Dakota, Minnesota’s Don Lucia, Bob Motzko of St. Cloud State, Jack Parker of Boston University, Army’s Brian Riley, and Jerry York of Boston College.

UMaine hosting pregame party

The University of Maine athletic department will host a pregame party from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Have A Nice Day Caf? in Milwaukee.

Game time is 8 p.m.

Admission is free for all Maine fans. A cash bar is available. The University of Maine pep band, Bananas the mascot, and the Naked Five will all be on hand.

A second pregame party will be held April 8 should the Black Bears advance to the final. The party will be held 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the same location.