University of Maine junior wide receiver Rameek Wright, who set four school records this past season, has been named a third-team Division 1-AA All-American by the Associated Press.

Wright had previously been named second team All-Yankee Conference and first team All-New England.

He is the first Black Bear football player to be named to an All-American team since strong safety Claude Pettaway was a first team selection in 1990.

Wright set single-season records for receptions (79), yards (1,143), games with 100-plus yards of receiving (6) and set a record for most receptions in a game (17 vs. Buffalo).

He caught five TD passes and also returned 22 punts for 200 yards including one for a touchdown.

Wright, a 5-foot-9, 187-pound native of Scotch Plains, N.J., had just eight catches for 72 yards in 11 games last season but Maine head coach Jack Cosgrove said Wright made an off-season commitment to improving himself and it paid off.

“He’s the kind of kid who was on the borderline as far as how important some things in life were to him,” said Cosgrove, referring to football. “But he deserves a ton of credit. He made a commitment in the weight room [after last season] and it improved his strength, conditioning and speed.

“He could have gone home for the summer and spent time at the Jersey shore but, instead, he stayed here and made a major commitment to becoming a football player,” added Cosgrove.

Cosgrove said Wright’s first catch, a 66-yard touchdown reception against Northeastern in Maine’s opener, was a preview of coming attractions.

“He had a real good training camp and showed signs of being a big-play guy,” said Cosgrove. “Then he took a very short pass against Northeastern and turned it into a 66-yard touchdown.

“Rameek has the quickest first step on our team. He can accelerate right away,” added Cosgrove. “He has the potential to be the fastest man to have ever played here. He’s very athletic and he really works hard at getting better.”

Cosgrove said Wright has benefitted from the development of quarterback Mickey Fein and the fact the offensive line gave Fein time to throw.

The University of Maine’s hockey team had a disappointing 7-7-1 first half including an uncharacteristic 2-5-1 Hockey East record.

But the Bears are anxious to put the first half behind them and string together a winning streak beginning on Friday when they entertain 7-5-2 Dalhousie University of Halifax, Nova Scotia in their J.C. Penney Classic opener at the Alfond Arena at 8 p.m.

Princeton University’s 8-2-2 Tigers take on fellow ECAC member Union College, 5-6-1, in Friday’s 5 p.m. opener.

Saturday’s consolation game begins at 4 p.m. with the title game to follow.

The Bears had a week off following a 5-3 loss at Boston College on Dec. 7 before taking to the ice again this week under assistant Grant Standbrook, who will guide them this weekend. Interim head coach Greg Cronin has left to take a position with USA Hockey and Shawn Walsh returns from his one-year suspension on Christmas Day.

“We had time to rest and refocus. We’ve had a chance to look back on our mistakes and where we need to go from here,” said senior center-right wing and assistant captain Trevor Roenick. “We can’t do anything about our record so far. We’re focusing on what’s ahead.

“We’ve got to be more consistent. All the tools are there to consistenty score and consistently play strong defense,” added Roenick. “We’ve got to stay away from the five-minute lapses that have killed us.”

Maine has given up four or more goals in a period four times this season which is uncharacteristic of the defense-minded program.

“We used to pride ourselves on coming back strong after giving up a goal,” said Roenick. “But we haven’t been doing that this year. Sometimes we go into a little bit of a shell after we give up a goal. I can’t explain why. We have to get rid of those lapses.”

Dalhousie has a sophomore left winger with a familiar last name to the Alfond faithful: Pellerin.

Jason Pellerin is the younger brother of former Black Bear Hobey Baker Award winner Scott Pellerin.

The elder Pellerin became the first of two consecutive Maine Hobey Baker Award winners in 1992 and he has since had his uniform number retired. Paul Kariya won the Hobey the following year.

Scott Pellerin, who had 223 points in 167 career games, has been shuttling his services between the St. Louis Blues and the Worcester Icecats of the AHL this season.

College 1996 Division I-AA All-America Team THIRD TEAM Offense

Quarterback – Ted White, Howard University.

Running backs – Kenny Bynum, South Carolina State; Claude Mathis, Southwest Texas.

Receivers – Juan Hall, Tennessee State; Robert Wilson, Florida A&M; Rameek Wright, Maine.

Linemen – Brain Bartelle, Lehigh; Jim Buzzard, Eastern Washington; Shawn Clark, Appalachian State; Kerry Jenkins, Troy State; Brian Larsen, Dartmouth.

All-purpose – Joe Rosato, Duquesne.

Kicker – Rob Hart, Murray State. Defense

Linemen – Jeff Gaylean, Southern Utah; Devlan Geddes, Montana State; Marcellus Wiley, Columbia.

Linebackers – Mike Bouchee, Montana; Ronnie Merritt, Murray State; Richard Moss, Indiana State; Derek Strey, Eastern Washington.

Backs – Jeb Dougherty, San Diego; Kenny Bailey, Delaware; Ron Faugue, Tennessee-Chattanooga; B.J. Gallis, Lafayette.

Punter – Brad Costello, Boston University.