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Niko is the Man: Part I

Senior in the right place at the right time

By Eric Russell

Posted on Friday, January 11th, 2002, 12:00 am

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Editor’s note: Part II of the following feature on Niko Dimitrakos will appear next week.

Ever since he first laced up his skates for the Black Bears, University of Maine senior right wing Niko Dimitrakos has had an uncanny knack for coming up with big plays in big games. Whether it’s just a lucky coincidence, the Somerville, Mass., native wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It just always happens; I seem to rise to the occasion,” Dimitrakos said. “I like the limelight, I like playing in front of big crowds. I don’t know, I guess I just feed off of that.”

Career Statistics
YEAR�� GP� G�� A�� PTS�� PIM�� PP�� SH�� GW
1998-99�� 35�� 8�� 19�� 27�� 11/33�� 1��0�� 0
1999-00�� 32� 11�� 16�� 27�� 8/16�� 3��0�� 4
2000-01�� 29� 11�� 14�� 25�� 16/43�� 4�� 0��3
Totals��96� 30�� 49�� 79�� 35/92�� 8��0�� 7

As far back as his early days at Matignon High School, the 5-foot-11-inch senior has been preparing himself for one thing: a career in the National Hockey League. It comes as no surprise that he chose UMaine as a stepping stone because Black Bears before him have gone on to have success in the NHL.

But unlike many other former collegiate hockey stars who now enjoy the life of a professional athlete, Dimitrakos decided not to chase fame and fortune early and has stayed at UMaine for all four years of his eligibility. In an era when so many cannot resist the temptation of a lucrative contract, it’s refreshing to see an athlete who values a college career, both as a player and as a student.

“He’s working towards a degree in communications, and it’s never a bad decision to stay in school,” UMaine interim coach Tim Whitehead said. “It’s been a good move for him, too, because he’s been able to mature and develop.”

Dimitrakos led his Matignon team to the Catholic Central League Championship and the Super Eight, one of the largest high school tournaments in the Northeast, in his junior and senior years. Dimitrakos was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 1997 after scoring 23 goals with 32 assists.

From there, Dimitrakos took his game to prep school Avon Old Farms, playing under coach John Gardner for one season. Dimitrakos tallied 27 goals and 28 assists that year, while his team advanced to the New England semifinals.

Highly recruited, Dimitrakos narrowed his choice of colleges to the northeast, and initially UMaine was not at the top of the list. Originally pursued by Hockey East rivals Boston University and Boston College, Dimitrakos wasn’t sure if he wanted to stay so close to home, and found himself visiting Orono.

“When I came up here, I just fell in love with the place. There is a really strong tradition here and the atmosphere at Alfond Arena is great,” Dimitrakos said. “I was glad to get away actually; it helped me to be able to concentrate on hockey and my studies without the distractions of being so close to home. I’m far enough away, but I can also go home if I want to, and my family can come see me play.”

As it turned out, UMaine was a perfect fit for Dimitrakos. As a freshman, he was already beginning to make a name for himself. On a team already laden with tremendous talent, he tallied 27 points in the 1998/99 season, including 19 assists while playing in 35 of 41 games.

But the regular season was only the beginning, as Dimitrakos decided to save his best for when it mattered most.

UMaine was playing in the Frozen Four for the third time in seven years. The Black Bears faced Boston College, a team Dimitrakos could have easily been playing for instead of against. But the freshman quickly made UMaine fans glad he chose Orono, scoring the first goal of the game and assisting on the game winner, as the Black Bears downed the Eagles 2-1 to advance to the NCAA Championship. UMaine took on University of New Hampshire in the title game, and again Dimitrakos came up with a goal as the Black Bears sealed their second NCAA crown of the decade.

He was named to the Frozen Four All-Tournament Team for his efforts, the only freshman to receive the honor.

Shortly after, his stellar play got the attention of several professional scouts. Dimitrakos was drafted in the fifth round of the 1999 amateur draft by the San Jose Sharks of the NHL. It seemed his dream was coming true.

“I just felt I had a lot more to learn as a player and as a person,” Dimitrakos said. “I wasn’t ready, and I’m still not. Being in college as a player, they teach you things and you learn how to be a better player. In the pros, it’s basically whatever you have, you bring to the table.”