The University of Maine men’s hockey program has added another defenseman to its recruiting class for next fall.

Mike Banwell, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound defenseman for the Pickering Panthers of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, has verbally committed to attend Maine according to his coach, Pat Curcio.

The 19-year-old Banwell has played in 48 games and has seven goals and 19 assists along with 73 penalty minutes. He has four power-play goals and 12 assists with the man advantage.

Banwell, who hails from Scarborough, Ontario, is a scholarship athlete.

“Mike’s excited and we’re all excited,” said Curcio.

Curcio said Maine was one of “four or five schools” that recruited Banwell.

“Maine had the best reputation and tradition,” said Curcio.

In describing Banwell, Curcio said, “The one thing that comes to mind is his work ethic. He has an incredible work ethic.”

Curcio also described him as a prototype stay-at-home defenseman.

“He’s an incredible athlete. He can skate. He has quick feet. He’s tough, and he has a good shot,” said Curcio.

Curcio said he will need to make quicker decisions with the puck at the college level, but he is confident he will adapt quickly at Maine.

He said Banwell should also benefit from adding some weight to his frame through the weight training regimen at Maine.

Banwell will join two other Ontario Provincial Hockey League players in the recruiting class as offensive-minded defenseman Josh Van Dyk of the Hamilton Red Wings and two-way forward Glen Belmore of the Wellington Dukes are also coming to Maine.

MacDonald returns to Maine

The Maine men’s and women’s hockey teams have a new equipment manager in Millinocket native Josh MacDonald.

He will replace Eric Marsh, who resigned last month.

MacDonald had been the student equipment manager at Maine from 1998-2002 before graduating.

He went on to become the equipment manager for Atlantic City in the East Coast Hockey League under former Maine assistant Matt Thomas.

“The only reason I left is the team folded. They were moving to Stockton, Calif., and I wasn’t ready to move west,” said MacDonald.

He had been the municipal planner for the Eastern Maine Development Corporation before returning to Maine.

He said he is enjoying his new job.

“I’ve adapted pretty quickly. I like the guys. I had worked with [head coach Tim Whitehead] before. Nothing really changes,” said MacDonald, who lives in Levant with his wife Maria.

“He’s a fantastic addition,” said Whitehead. “He’s a real good guy, and he’s had experience at the college and professional level.”

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-8231, 1-800-310-8600 or by e-mail at lmaoney@bangordailynews.net