Ashley verbally commits to Bears

ORONO – The University of Maine men’s hockey team has landed another recruit from the Rothesay Netherwood School in New Brunswick.

Darcy Ashley, who can play center or wing and had 160 points in 46 games for the Riverhawks, will join teammate Kevin Gagne in Orono as he has verbally committed to attend Maine on a scholarship beginning in 2011.

Gagne, a defenseman, will join the Black Bears in the fall of 2010. He verbally committed to Maine in December. He racked up 102 points for the Riverhawks this past season.

“These are the best two kids for their age group in Atlantic Canada,” said Jamie McDonald, the director of hockey operations and coach at the Rothesay Netherwood School. “Maine has won the lottery. They’ve hit a home run.

“Those two will be dynamite,” said McDonald.

The 15-year-old Ashley had 85 goals and 75 assists according to McDonald. He is from Alberton, Prince Edward Island and his father, Darrell, played hockey at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick.

“Inside the [offensive] blue line, he’s a very talented player,” said McDonald. “He has an exceptional pair of hands and great hockey sense. The first time I saw him was at the Spud Tournament in Prince Edward Island and it seemed like every time he touched the puck inside the hash marks, it wound up in the net.

“He really has a nose for the net. He has very good instincts and he’s very strong down low,” added McDonald, a former regional scout for the New York Rangers.

Ashley stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 170 pounds, according to McDonald, who compared him to New Jersey Devils star and former Boston College three-time All-American Brian Gionta.

McDonald also said Ashley is “very mature for his age and an excellent student.”

Ashley’s coming to Maine is contingent upon his acceptance into the school and his meeting NCAA Clearinghouse requirements.

UMaine athletes inducted

Three University of Maine student-athletes, Brittany Boser, Nicole Emery and Colleen Miller, have been inducted into the All-Maine Women Honor Society.

The society recognizes the best of the rising senior class and only 12 members are selected each year. The criteria include character, spirit, honor, dignity and a willingness to accept responsibility.

Boser, from Palmer, Mass., was the fourth-leading scorer on the basketball team and was tied for second in rebounds. The chemical engineering major has been named a Maine Scholar-Athlete three times and has also been named to the America East Commissioner’s honor roll.

Winthrop’s Emery will be the captain of the field hockey team next fall. The kinesiology, physical education and pre-med major was the second-leading scorer on the field hockey team last fall and was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association’s Division I National Academic squad for the third straight year. She has been named to the America East Commissioner’s honor roll and is a three-time Maine Scholar-Athlete winner.

Miller, from Missoula, Mont., holds five school records in swimming. She is a food science and nutrition major and has been named a Maine Scholar-Athlete for three straight years. She has been named to the America East honor roll and has also been named the women’s swim team’s Most Valuable Performer twice.

Ramsey, Harper honored

Men’s hockey defenseman Travis Ramsey and women’s soccer striker Laura Harper were named the University of Maine’s Senior Athletes of the Year by the M Club at the annual senior awards banquet at the Buchanan Alumni House on the Orono campus.

Ramsey, captain of the hockey team, had four goals and eight assists in 34 games to conclude his 134-game career with six goals and 23 assists. He was a candidate for the national Lowe’s Senior Class Award honoring commitment to academics, character, competition and community. He was a Hockey East All-Academic Team selection and a Maine Scholar-Athlete Award winner.

He signed with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League and had an assist in seven regular season games.

Harper was the captain of the soccer team and had four goals, including three game-winners, and two assists. She was the team’s second-leading scorer. She was an All-America East first team choice for the second straight year. She played in 74 career games and had 25 goals and eight assists for 58 points. She was a two-time Academic All-District Award pick.

The Female Spirit Award went to field hockey captain Erin Reusch, who had three goals and five assists in 71 career games including two goals and three assists in 16 games this past season. She was an America East second team pick and a Maine Scholar-Athlete Award winner. She is a four-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association’s Academic Award honoree.

Ramsey, Harper and Reusch were M Club Dean Smith Award winners which is given to student-athletes who combine academics, athletics, citizenship and community involvement.

lmahoney@bangordailynews.net

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