N.Y. recruit may add scoring punch for UM

Joe Diamond, who played on the silver medal-winning United States under-18 team in the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament in the Czech Republic last month, has verbally committed to attend the University of Maine.

He will attend Maine as a men’s hockey player beginning in the fall of 2008, joining Kelen Corkum in that class. Corkum is the son of former Bear winger Bob Corkum.

The hard-nosed 5-foot-6, 152-pound Diamond is a right wing who led Long Beach (N.Y.) High School to a state championship this past season with 80 points in 20 games. He has also played for the New York Apple Core junior team.

He will attend the South Kent School (Conn.) the next two years.

“He is one of the top ’89s [1989 birthday in the country,” said South Kent School coach Geoff Marottolo. “He is extremely dynamic. He can fly. For his size, you might think he’s a perimeter player. He’s far from a perimeter player. He’s as tough as they come. He pursues the puck with a vengeance. He’s extremely competitive.”

Diamond, the son of a New York City policeman (Michael Diamond), said, “I can’t wait to be a Black Bear.

“I visited the school last week and I loved it. I loved the school and coach [Tim] Whitehead is a great guy,” said Diamond, a lefthand shot.

Diamond, who will receive a full scholarship, scored a goal in four games during the Hlinka tournament, formerly known as the Junior World Cup.

He said playing in the tournament was an “unbelievable” experience.

His goal came in a 4-3 overtime win over the Czech Republic. Team USA went 3-1, losing to Canada 3-0 in the gold-medal game.

Diamond’s coming to Maine is contingent upon his acceptance to the school and meeting NCAA initial eligibility requirements.