4 recruits sign with UMaine

The University of Maine men’s hockey team will graduate five forwards, but the Black Bears have received National Letters of Intent from four forwards who will help fill the void left by their departures.

Robby Dee, Tanner House, Glen Belmore, and Keif Orsini are the signees who will try to compensate for the loss of Michel Leveille, Josh Soares, Keith Johnson, Mike Hamilton, and Brent Shepheard.

“Each one brings something unique,” said Maine coach Tim Whitehead. “They’re a real good group. I think they’ll all contribute right away.”

He added that they are all capable of playing on the power-play or penalty-killing units.

Dee, a 6-foot, 190-pounder from Plymouth, Minn., has seven goals and six assists in 19 games for the Omaha Lancers of the prestigious United States Hockey League. He is second on the team in scoring. In 2004-2005, he was the leading goal scorer in Minnesota with 49 goals in 28 games to go with 38 assists.

Last season, he had six goals and six assists in an injury-marred 32-game season for Omaha.

“He skates very well, he has good size, and he can put the puck in the net,” said Whitehead.

House, a 6-1, 195-pounder from Cochrane, Alberta, is leading the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League in scoring with 8 goals and 29 assists in 31 games.

“He’s a very versatile player,” said Whitehead. “He’s very aware defensively and he has good skill with the puck. He’s a big kid who skates well. We normally don’t put freshman at center in their first year, but I can see him there next season.”

Belmore is a 6-0, 198-pounder from Cornwall, Ontario, who has 14 goals and 15 assists in 26 games for the Wellington Dukes of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League. He was chosen to play for Canada East in the World Junior A challenge.

“He’s a very solid two-way player who wins loose pucks and skates well. He has good skill. He can play in all situations,” said Whitehead.

Orsini, a 5-11, 200-pounder from Montreal, has 15 goals and 24 assists in 20 games for St. Jerome of the Quebec AAA Junior Hockey League. He also played for Canada East in the World Junior A Challenge.

Canada East won the silver medal.

“He can play center, wing, or defense,” said Whitehead. “He’s very tough. He wins battles for the puck, and he has good poise with the puck. He can play the point or in front of the net on the power play.”

Their eligibility is contingent upon their admission to the school and compliance with NCAA rules.

Whitehead said they are now looking to recruit two defensemen.