Role players are an important part of every hockey team.

But you could call University of Maine senior Kevin Clauson a multi-role player.

In addition to being an effective left winger on a physical fourth line, Clauson has been playing his natural position, defense, since injuries shelved Peter Metcalf and Eric Turgeon.

He played both positions in the same game recently.

Clauson is used as a defenseman on the penalty kill and also plays some early-period shifts on the blue line before moving up front.

“He has excelled at both spots,” said Walsh, who would prefer to play him at forward. “He just loves to play. He’s got the heart of a lion. He’s a very good skater for a big man.”

Entering Thursday night’s home game against Massachusetts, Clauson has two goals and four assists in 16 games and his plus-three leaves him in a four-way tie for the team lead in the plus-minus category.

Clauson said he doesn’t have a preference where he plays.

“I like forward and defense. Getting to play both is double the fun,” said Clauson, who transferred to Maine from Western Michigan University in 1999. “I had been a defenseman my whole life so I preferred that at first. But now that I’ve played so much at forward, either one is fine. There are benefits to playing each position.”

He is the consummate blue-collar player.

“I just come to the rink every day and work as hard as I can. I just want to help the team. I might not score a lot of goals but I play hard and if points result, it’s a bonus,” added the 6-foot-4, 220-pound native of Hanover, N.H.

Senior defenseman and co-captain A.J. Begg said Clauson has played “very well for us.

“He is one of those guys who works hard every shift. He comes ready to play every night. You can always count on him,” said Begg.

Begg added that Clauson is the type of role player who produces in big games.

“Those are the kinds of guys who usually win playoff games for you,” said Begg.

Clauson became eligible for the second semester last season but, after dressing for seven of the first eight games, was a healthy scratch for the final 17 games.

“It was difficult. It’s always difficult when you aren’t in the lineup. But you can’t worry about things you can’t control. You have to concentrate on things you can control,” said Clauson.

Walsh said, “My biggest disappointment with Kevin is that I played him last year. I wish I had held him out so he could have another full year of eligibility next year.”

The Bears have struggled lately, going 1-3-1 in their last five games.

And they know they have a formidable opponent in UMass.

“We have a lot of respect for their team,” said Clauson. “They always play hard and they have a good goaltender [Markus Helanen].”

Clauson pointed out that “every team goes through some rough times” and it is up to the Bears to show their character and resolve by stringing together some wins.