For four years, Todd Jenkins electrified the Alfond Arena faithful. The Michigan speedster had a fifth gear very few possess. The last thing opposing defensemen wanted to see was Jenkins with the puck and a full head of steam motoring through the neutral zone.

“It came pretty naturally,” said Jenkins, who played at Maine from 1985-89 and played a role in the Black Bears’ ascension to prominence.

Jenkins finished his 130-game career with 30 goals and 34 assists. Nobody generated as many breakaways, and if Jenkins had cashed in on the majority of them, his career goals total would be much higher.

“I wish I had worked a little harder. I wish I knew then what I know now,” said Jenkins, who added that having better hands would have also helped.

He is applying the lessons he learned at Maine to good use as the coach of the Compuware Midget Minor AAA team based in Plymouth, Mich. It is for youngsters 14-16 years of age and is ranked second in North America.

Jenkins also coaches his 7-year-old son, Blade, on a mites team comprised mostly of 8-year-olds. Assisting him is his former Black Bear teammate, Todd Studnicka. Studnicka’s son, Jack, is on the team.

“It’s a pretty cool situation,” said Jenkins about coaching with his former teammate.

Jenkins, now 40, tells his Midget Minor players they need to have their “priorities in line,” and he stresses hard work, discipline and defense.

“If you want something, you’ve got to work hard for it. If you don’t, somebody else will,” said Jenkins.

The late Shawn Walsh, who had a “tremendous hockey mind,” according to Jenkins, preached defense should be first at Maine and Jenkins abides by it.

“You have to know how to play defense. You can’t just run around chasing the puck and losing track of the guy you’re supposed to be covering. I take a lot of pride in teaching that here,” said Jenkins.

Center Stuart Higgins, who has verbally committed to play at Maine, called Jenkins an “awesome coach.”

“He really got me to play defense. Playing both sides of the [puck] is pretty important,” said Higgins.

After leaving Maine, Jenkins played a couple of years with Nashville in the East Coast Hockey League before hanging up his skates.

He worked in a hospital for three years before obtaining rental properties and laundromats.

He began coaching his two stepsons and instructing at hockey clinics and discovered he thoroughly enjoys coaching.

During his time at Maine, the Bears made their first NCAA Tournament and first Frozen Four appearances.

He said the camaraderie he shared with his teammates and the “excitement and electricity at Alfond Arena” provide him with unforgettable memories.

“It was a tremendous place to play college hockey,” he said.

Harvey is a good selection

Jason Harvey is a good choice to serve as interim baseball coach at Husson College while coach John Winkin undergoes rehabilitation after collapsing last month.

Although he is just removed from his playing days at Husson, the 24-year-old Harvey has solid leadership skills and plenty of youthful enthusiasm and baseball knowledge. He was already employed by the school.

His biggest task will be to distance himself from his friends on the team when he has to enforce discipline.

He’ll be able to do so.

lmahoney@bangordailynews.net

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