Lauren Steblen, a 2002 University of Maine graduate who spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach for the women’s ice hockey program at Bemidji State (Minn.), has returned to her alma mater as the full-time assistant under first-year head coach Guy Perron.

Perron has replaced seven-year coach Rick Filighera, who didn’t have his contract renewed.

“She brings a lot of experience and she knows what Maine hockey is all about so I won’t have to bring somebody in and teach them the ropes. She works hard in everything she does,” said Perron. “She already has a recruiting list and that was important to me.”

Perron said Steblen will be in charge of “our recruiting and she’ll also be working with our defensemen when she’s in town.”

Perron said he is happy with Steblen’s selection and added that there were more than 30 applicants for the job.

Steblen, a Clayton, N.Y. native, was a steady defenseman in her one season at Maine but decided not to play her senior year. She had transferred to Maine from St. Lawrence University (N.Y.).

She is currently on a recruiting trip.

Lainie Wintrup was Filighera’s top assistant last year but she left before the end of the season.

David Stockdale, who was Filighera’s second assistant, will be back in the same role according to Perron.