The University of Maine women’s ice hockey team has begun shoring up its defense for next season by signing two women to National Letters of Intent.

South African-born Muriel McIntyre, who stands 6-foot-3, will become the tallest woman to play at Maine and Madelene Eriksson will be the program’s first Swedish player.

“I’m really excited,” said Maine interim head coach Lauren Steblen. “They will help us out very much defensively.”

The 17-year-old McIntyre is from Penticton, British Columbia and is in her third season playing for the Warner Hockey School in Warner, Alberta.

She has a goal and an assist in 21 games this season. She had a goal and 11 assists a year ago.

“She’ll be a presence in front of our net. She’ll do some penalty-killing for us. She’ll have some maturing and filling out to do but all the tools are definitely there,” said Steblen. “She understands the game and her position very well; she moves the puck well and she has a hard shot. We’ve got to get her shot off more quickly.”

The 20-year-old Eriksson has played nine games for the Swedish national team and three with the Under-22 team. She is currently playing for the Orebro team in Sweden. She played in the Four Nations Cup for Sweden in 2003 against the United States, Canada and Finland.

“I expect her to step in right way and play in all situations,” said Steblen. “She is on the radar for the Swedish national team and that’s a great plus. She goes to their tryout camps every year. She has a lot of experience, having played in the Four Nations Cup, and that will help her make the transition easier. She will be used to facing the same kind of speed and talent that you see at the college level.

“She moves the puck real well and moves her feet constantly. She makes good, hard passes. She’ll help raise our level of play,” said Steblen. “She’s very strong and shoots the puck very well.”

Steblen will have to replace Kelly Law, an All-Hockey East first team selection a year ago, and Karine Senecal on the blue line next season.

Their eligibility is contingent upon their admission to the University of Maine and complying with NCAA guidelines including registration with the NCAA Clearinghouse.