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The University of Maine men’s hockey is losing a precious commodity next year as “Big” Ben Bishop will not be between the pipes for the Black Bears. Recently, Bishop signed with his hometown team, the St. Louis Blues, and will forego his senior season at the University of Maine.
Bishop, who had a spectacular career at UMaine, finished his collegiate career with a record of 55-35-7, and 2.29 goals against average – this put him fourth all time for goals against.
During his final season as a Black Bear, Bishop was named Pure Hockey Defensive Player of the Week four times and in October was honored as the Itech goaltender of the month.
Early in his career at UMaine, Bishop gained attention as he led UMaine to back to back berths in the Frozen Four during his first and second years.
“Big” Ben will play the remainder of the season with the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League.
At the 2008 Hockey East Awards banquet in Boston, Bishop was named to the Hockey East Second team, and senior defensemen Bret Tyler was named a Hockey East Honorable Mention selection.
Bishop was not the only UMaine hockey player to sign with a professional team – other Black Bears made the move to the big leagues. Travis Ramsey, the former captain, signed an amateur tryout contract with the AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, the Manitoba Moose.
Ramsey’s success at UMaine was also seen off the ice as he was named the 2008 winner of the M Club Dean Smith Award, presented annually to the top male and female student athlete at UMaine.
Enforcer Rob Bellamy recently signed an amateur tryout contract with the Philadelphia Phantoms of the AHL. In the 2004 NHL entry draft, Bellamy was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round.
Last year, the Black Bears made it to the Frozen Four, and this year they failed to make it to the Hockey East tournament. The University of Maine men’s hockey team finished 13-18-3 overall and 9-15-3 in Hockey East.
Bangor Daily News