The University of Maine men’s hockey team, in dire need of help on defense, has received a verbal commitment from another defenseman.

Peter Metcalf, an offensive-minded 6-foot-1, 190-pounder from Pembroke, Mass., said he selected Maine from a pool of colleges that included Harvard, Cornell, Providence, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and UMass-Lowell.

He joins Doug Janik, a defenseman for the U.S. National Under-18 team, in Maine’s recruiting class.

Metcalf has seven goals and 15 assists in nine games for Cushing Academy of Ashburnham, Mass. He is one of the team captains.

“Peter is a very gifted offensive player,” said Cushing Academy coach Steve Jacobs. “He has a real good shot, and he has good playmaking ability. He’s very creative. He’s also tremendous at breaking the puck out of his own end.”

Jacobs, who coached former Maine defenseman Andy Silverman and goalie Greg Hirsch, said Metcalf follows in a long line of quality Cushing defensemen that includes Boston University sophomore standout Tom Poti and Boston College freshman Bobby Allen.

This is Metcalf’s fourth year at Cushing, which is 100-9-2 in his four years.

Jacobs also said Metcalf is a tough kid, a great leader, and a “real good skater.”

Metcalf said one of the biggest reasons he decided to come to Maine was coach Shawn Walsh’s ability to motivate his players.

“After they lost to Boston College 6-1 , I wasn’t very optimistic about their chances the next night. But he fired them up and they won 12-5,” said Metcalf, who was also impressed by the fan support and likes the fact he will have the opportunity to play a lot next season.