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Three more University of Maine men’s hockey players have moved one step closer to the NHL.
Seniors Josh Van Dyk and Mike Banwell each signed amateur tryout deals and junior Gustav Nyquist signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings, the team that drafted him in the fourth round, 121st overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He started his career with the AHL’s Grand Rapid Griffins.
Van Dyk signed to join the Abbotsford Heat, the AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames, while Banwell signed with the Albany Devils, the affiliate of the New Jersey Devils.
Nyquist, already providing offense at the next level, scored during the third period in his debut Saturday night against the Texas Starts. It was the lone goal of the game for the Griffins in a 5-1 loss.
Nyquist is still waiting to see if he is once again a Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalist. He was named to the final 10 on March 17.
The Swede excelled on the ice during his time at UMaine, leading the Black Bears in scoring for three straight years and becoming the first freshman to do so since Paul Kariya in 1992-93. He finished this past season with 18 goals and 33 assists for 51 points. In 113 career games as a Black Bear, Nyquist tallied 50 goals and 94 assists to put him 17th on UMaine’s all-time points list.
Nyquist ended his college career playing in 86 consecutive games. During his junior season, he scored his first career hat trick against the University of New Hampshire and broke the UMaine record for quickest goal to start a game, scoring 6 seconds in against the University of Vermont.
Van Dyk prospered off a successful senior season, playing in all 36 games and leading the team with plus/minus of plus-nine. He was named to the Hockey East Second Team and was runner-up for the Hockey East Old Time Hockey Best Defensive Defenseman Award.
Van Dyk appeared in more games than any Black Bear on the team, 140 in all, including 91 in a row at one point.
Banwell appeared in 109 career games, scoring five goals and setting the table on 13 others for 18 points. Banwell found the scoreboard against the top talent, with three of his goals coming against defending National Champions Boston College.
