Let’s take a look back on an unforgettable season. After all the high and lows, one thing was indisputable: Hockey East belongs to Maine. As the season culminated in the Black Bears winning the Hockey East Championship for the first time since 2004, let’s take a look at how we got there.
To start the season off, the Black Bears went on an eight-game winning streak that was ultimately broken by Boston College in a close game where the final score read 2-3. In that eight-game span, standout player Albin Boija recorded all four of his shutouts on the year, best for fourth overall in the country amongst goaltenders.
Speaking of Boija, he is the next biggest star of this team. After receiving several accolades this season, he’s poised to take his game to the next level. The second-year goalie had the eighth best save percentage in the country (.928) and was tied for fifth best in the country for goals against average (1.82). He was a finalist for the Mike Richter Award, the honor bestowed on the best goalie in college hockey. As well as a New England All Star and a member of the Hockey East Second Team All Star list. To top it all off, he was named the Tournament MVP for Hockey East for his contributions to the Black Bears reclaiming the title of Hockey East Champions.
The Hockey East Championship against the University of Connecticut featured highlight performances from players that made their mark and their names known across the country. Alternate captain and fourth-year Harrison Scott scored in the game and added to his season high in goals (18). This year he also had season highs in assists, (17), points (35), and face-off wins (421), leading the Black Bears in points and goals. The two time Player of the Week’s efforts this season landed him an entry level contract with the Dallas Stars.
Taylor Makar landed an NHL contract for himself with the Colorado Avalanche. The fourth-year forward led the charge for Maine on offense this year in tandem with his teammate Scott. In Makar’s one and done season with Maine, he notched a season best in points (30), goals (18) and game winning goals (6). The Hockey East Player of the Month for February was drafted 220th overall in 2021 to the Avalanche.
Fourth-year defensemen David Breazeale and fourth-year forward Nolan Renwick will continue their journey as teammates with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate team of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Breazeale, a standout defender for Maine and captain of the Black Bears was named Defender of the Week after the Hockey East Championship as well as a member of the All Tournament Team. His counterpart on offense, Renwick had a standout season recording a career high in points (24). As a Black Bear, he won over 1,000 face offs.
These players helped Maine lift its sixth Hockey East title. And while all but one are fourth-years, Maine still has a bright future ahead. Boija’s fellow second-years were standout Black Bears themselves and a huge part in Maine’s incredible season.
On offense, Charlie Russell, Josh Nadeau and Sully Scholle all boasted an impressive second-year campaign. Their defensive counterparts Bodie Nobes and Hockey East’s November Defender of the Month Frank Djurasevic made names for themselves this season. And with third-years Brandon Holt and Owen Fowler leading the charge, despite the departures to the Black Bear’s roster, they’re in good hands.
The Black Bears have an impressive amount of depth as a team. Any player could make a game deciding impact any given night. Another reason to look forward to next season. These second and third-years got a lot of playing time on the ice in Maine’s journey to winning Hockey East. Meaning they know what needs to be done, what sacrifices need to be made and the effort that has to take place to level up this program to new heights. NCAA Championship heights.
They’ll start that journey in a newly renovated and upgraded Alfond Arena which recently got a $50 million dollar upgrade. The Black Bears went 15-2-3 at home this past season, with new “digs” opponents will have an even harder time trying to block out the electric atmosphere in the Alfond.
