The University of Maine men’s hockey team will be getting some offensive help on the blue line.

Tom Zabkowicz, who was Culver Academy’s (Ind.) leading scorer with 24 goals and 40 assists in 47 games, has verbally committed to attend Maine in the fall.

He helped lead the Eagles to a school-record 38 wins.

“He’s a very exciting player,” said Culver coach and athletic director Al Clark. “He’s a skilled offensive defenseman. He skates well, he has good sense with the puck, he sees the ice well and his biggest asset is his ability to turn. He likes to jump into the play.”

The 6-0, 175-pound Zabkowicz, a native of Greendale, Wis., said he chose Maine over Denver, Bowling Green, Miami of Ohio and Sacred Heart (Conn.).

“There were some other schools that wanted me to play another year of Junior hockey but Maine wanted me to step right in,” said Zabkowicz, who will be a scholarship player.

“The number one reason I chose Maine was the coaching staff. You couldn’t ask for a better staff to work with,” added Zabkowicz. “The history and the tradition of the hockey program were big. It’s a great school with a great atmosphere. And the players were excellent to me on my visit.”

Zabkowicz, 18, a key component on the Culver power play, said his top priority is to improve his strength.

“I’d like to gain 15 pounds. I also need to work on all other aspects of my game like my speed and stickhandling,” he said.

His coming to Maine is dependent upon his admission into the school and his meeting NCAA requirements.

Maine received only 16 goals from its defense corps this past season. Francis Nault had 10 of them.

UMaine women Hawaii-bound

The UMaine women’s basketball team is in the midst of a monthlong layoff to rest up from the rigors of a grueling season.

That doesn’t mean the Black Bears aren’t looking forward to the 2003-04 season.

Coach Sharon Versyp’s Bears are scheduled to open their season in Honolulu, where they’ll participate in one of the University of Hawaii’s annual tournaments. UMaine is expected to face NCAA Tournament entry Washington out of the PAC-10 with a chance to meet WNIT second-round entry Hawaii in the second round.

The trip is likely to include more than just two ballgames.

“It’s a great experience for our student-athletes to learn and enrich in a different culture,” Versyp said. “We’re going to play two games out there, but it’s a great learning experience.”

UMaine, which has a tougher non-conference schedule next season, then returns home for the Dead River Co. Classic, which will include WNIT participant Marquette, Columbia, and Oakland (Mich.). After that, the Bears take to the road to face Wisconsin-Green Bay, which reached the second round of the NCAAs, along with Oakland, Drake, and Indiana of the Big Ten.

UMaine follows those with games against Ryder, Southern Methodist, Buffalo and Rhode Island before beginning what should be a much more challenging America East slate.

“It’s a very tough schedule, but we’re very excited about it,” Versyp said. “Most of those teams will help our power rating, but we have to win a few of those games.”

Black Bear Auction begins online

The University of Maine is offering fans the chance to purchase some exclusive Black Bear items as part of the 2nd Black Bear Auction, which is being conducted online.

Among the auction items are an Old Town Otter kayak, autographed photos and media guides of the 2002-03 men’s hockey team, wall-size posters of the hockey and basketball teams, and autographed authentic football and hockey jerseys.

Fans may view the items and bid on them by visiting the auction Internet site at www.goblackbearsauction.com.

All funds raised through the auction go directly to support UMaine student-athletes.