As a youngster growing up in southern California, Jason Price remembers going to the Great Western Forum in Inglewood to watch the Great Western Freeze-Out college hockey tournament. He recalls developing an avid interest in University of Maine hockey, which played in that tournament several times.

Cory Larose was raised in Campbellton, New Brunswick, and used to read about the Black Bear hockey team in the local newspapers.

“There were a lot of stories written about Scott Pellerin. He’s a fellow New Brunswick native,” said Larose, referring to the Shediac, New Brunswick, native and Maine’s first Hobey Baker Award winner (1992), given to college hockey’s top player.

As a result, Price and Larose set their sights on attending the University of Maine. That is exactly what has transpired as both are now freshmen wearing the Blue, Black, and White.

Price said there were several reasons behind his interest in Maine.

“I liked their colors and their pride. And I remember reading things about the Maine Black Bears. It made me want to come to an organization like that,” said Price. “Maine had produced one of the highest numbers of pro players. That’s one of my goals. It would be that much easier to achieve it if I went to Maine.”

Larose said, “Since I live just five hours away, Maine has been my No. 1 college. Not too many other schools get the press that Maine does [in Campbellton]. Maine was always in the back of my mind.

“I used to watch them on cable and I’d hear about them all the time on the news. I’d hear how many were coming out of Maine and going pro. When I had to choose between Major Junior and college, I decided to go the college route because I wanted to come to Maine.”

PRICE eventually moved to Minnesota where youngsters dream about going to the University of Minnesota. Minnesota-Duluth and St. Cloud State are other viable Division I options for Minnesota high school players.

Not Price.

“I talked to the University of Minnesota a little bit, but I told my high school coach I wasn’t going to Minnesota if Maine offered me anything. My dream was to go to Maine,” said Price. “That’s what I told other schools, too.”

Price played in a Select-17 tournament in Colorado Springs and caught the eye of the Maine assistant and recruiting coordinator Grant Standbrook and interim head coach Greg Cronin.

“They had four teams in that tournament and his team wasn’t very good,” said Standbrook. “Jason was the only guy Greg and I liked on his team.”

Price’s senior year at Eden Prairie High School saw him suffer two separated shoulders and a case of mononucleosis.

“But I still managed to lead the team in scoring, and I did my job as a captain,” said Price, who was offered scholarships by Massachusetts, RPI, and Mankato State, but decided to come to Maine on a financial aid package.

He said he will receive a third of a scholarship next year and his performance will dictate his financial status the last two years.

“I don’t think a scholarship is a factor. If I can get full financial aid, they can save it for another player,” said Price, who has been working as a defenseman as well as a winger.

He sat out two of the first five games, but has no regrets about his decision.

“I love it here. Everything that has happened has been beneficial for me, learning the game and learning about life,” said the 18-year-old Price. “I’ve learned more in the months I’ve been here than I had learned in my entire previous hockey career.”

LAROSE attended Kimball-Union Academy (N.H.) when he was 18 and has dealt with Standbrook since then. Larose, who is 21, left Kimball-Union for Langley of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.

Last fall, during his second year with Langley, he accepted a scholarship offer by Maine.

Standbrook categorized Larose as a late bloomer.

“It was pretty exciting,” said Larose, who had talked to a few other schools, but had his eyes on Maine.

Larose said his father, Wes, hadn’t seen him play in more than 2 1/2 years. His mother, Charlene, flew out to British Columbia for a few games last year. Both have seen him play this season.

“It’s really nice. They’re my No. 1 fans. They’ve been behind me the whole way. My brother and a couple of my buddies have also come down to see me play. It’s really nice to play in front of them again,” said Larose.

Like Price, Larose has been soaking up the knowledge expounded by the Maine coaching staff.

“I started learning as soon as I got here,” said Larose. “I’ve still got a long way to go. We’ve got some really good systems here. There’s a lot to absorb.”

Price and Larose are roommates in Cumberland Hall and there are four other players on the first floor.

“We’re always around each other and it’s good that way. It makes us tighter,” said Larose.

The two players would like to play pro hockey, but, for the time being, they are still learning Division I college hockey. Larose had a goal and six assists through his first seven games and Price had an assist in five games.

The coaches have been pleased with their progress.

“Jason has real good skills. He has good hands and a lot of poise. He’s very cerebral. His biggest challenge will be to improve his quickness,” said Cronin. “I feel bad for him. He’s had to go back and forth between defense and wing. It’s a difficult adjustment for him. It’s hard enough just to learn the systems as a forward. But I like the fact he can play both.”

“I love playing defense,” said Price.

Larose, according to Cronin, is a “very talented player offensively. His biggest challenge will be in his ability to play defense. His transition from offense to defense isn’t immediate yet.”

“I’ve been working on that all week,” said Larose, who is a center. “I’ve had a couple of meetings with the coaches. It’s all coming together a little bit. I’m more comfortable now. Prior to coming to Maine, I hadn’t received much coaching on defense.”