The University of Maine hockey program has lost a player and gained one.

All-American right wing and two-time Hobey Baker Award finalist Jean-Yves Roy has reached an agreement with the NHL’s New York Rangers on a multi-year free agent contract.

But the Bears have gained the services of goalie Blair Marsh, who verbally committed to Maine this past weekend after choosing Maine over Providence College. Marsh was a first team All-Star in the Coastal Division of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League. He is a 21-year-old from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, who played for Victoria.

“I’m happy with the contract,” said Roy. “It was what I expected. The way the market is, I feel I got what I was worth.”

The deal, including signing bonus, is worth in the vicinity of $300,000 over three years. It is a two-way contract meaning he will be paid one salary if he plays with the Rangers and a lower salary if he plays in the AHL or IHL.

“It was a tough decision,” said the 23-year-old Roy, the school’s all-time leading goal scorer with 108 to go with his 95 assists in 124 games. “I wanted to come back and win a national championship. But, sometimes, you have to move on. I’m not getting younger. I feel I made the right decision.”

Marsh, a 6-foot, 182-pounder, had a goals-against average in the vicinity of 5.50 this past season, but his save percentage was better than .870 in the offensive-minded league.

He will have three years of eligibility and he will probably redshirt this season since both Garth Snow and Mike Dunham are expected to return.

Next year will be Snow’s final season at Maine and Dunham, who will be a junior, is considered a prime candidate for the 1994 U.S. Olympic Team, so he may also leave.

“I wouldn’t mind redshirting,” said Marsh. “Maine has the two best goalies in the country and I’m looking forward to learning from them. And when you practice against one of the top teams in the country, the practices are He also said redshirting will give him a chance to get his studies in order since he has been out of school for three years.

Marsh chose Maine because he said it had a “real hockey atmosphere.

“It’s like a huge family,” observed Marsh.