The University of Maine men’s hockey program will lose a defenseman and gain one this offseason.

Bryan Plaszcz, who would have been a junior in the fall, has decided to transfer while Jeff Dimmen, who helped lead the St. Louis Bandits to the North American Hockey League’s Robertson Cup championship, has verbally committed to attend Maine starting in the fall.

Plaszcz, a native of Apple Valley, Minn., had one goal and no assists in 29 games this past season along with 39 penalty minutes. His goal was the game-winner in Maine’s season-opening 3-1 victory over Minnesota. He had a goal in six games his freshman year.

He was considered Maine’s sixth or seventh defenseman, and his playing time diminished at the end of the season. He was a healthy scratch in three of Maine’s last five games, including the 4-2 loss to Michigan State in the Frozen Four semifinals.

“He wanted to have more of an impact on the team, but I couldn’t guarantee him how much playing time he would receive next season,” said Maine coach Tim Whitehead. “He also wanted to go somewhere closer to home.”

“He made a very logical decision. This is a very good move for his future,” added Whitehead.

He said Plaszcz is considering several Division III schools in the Midwest and Div. I Bemidji (Minn.) State of College Hockey America.

Plaszcz, who received a partial scholarship, will have to sit out a year if he attends another Division I school but he can play immediately at a Div. III institution.

Whitehead said Plaszcz will be missed “a lot. He’s a wonderful person.”

Plaszcz could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, the 20-year-old Dimmen had seven goals and 23 assists in 29 games for the Bandits after being obtained in a trade from Alaska.

He collected two goals and 15 assists in 21 games for Alaska. Dimmen had 145 penalty minutes between the two teams.

The 6-foot, 188-pound native of Colorado Springs, Colo., had 3 & 8 in 12 playoff games for St. Louis.

“Jeff’s a first-class player. He made a big impact on our team,” said St. Louis coach-general manager Jon Cooper.

“He can play both ends of the ice. He has skill. He has real good hands and he knows the game. He can make plays. He ran our No. 1 power-play unit. But he was also our best defender. He’s very difficult to play against because of his aggressiveness and the nice mean streak he has.”

“Opposing forwards will definitely know when they go into a corner with him,” added Cooper.

Cooper also said Dimmen is a really good student.

Dimmen’s coming to Maine is contingent upon him being accepted by the school and meeting NCAA Clearinghouse requirements. He will receive a partial scholarship.

Ewing named UNE women’s coach

Portland native Anthony Ewing has been named the head women’s basketball coach at the University of New England in Biddeford.

Ewing replaces Curt Smyth, who stepped down after compiling a 142-118 record in 10 seasons. Smyth is also UNE’s assistant director of athletics and sports information director.

Ewing, a 1990 Deering High of Portland graduate, served as associate head coach and top assistant for six seasons at Brandeis University. He also was an assistant coach at Keene State College (N.H.) for five years and is a 1995 Keene graduate.