Top All Time Black Bear Hockey Players From Canada
Two weeks ago, I was listening to the St. Louis Blues hockey game and they talked to UMaine great Paul Kariya during the first intermission. It was shortly after he had entered the Hockey Hall of Fame.
A few days later, I was listening to another hockey game and they were talking about celebrating Canada 150 Skating Day on December 10, 2017. Skating was slated to take place all over Canada as part of the 150th anniversary of the Confederation celebration.
I started thinking that the majority of the top hockey players in University of Maine history have been Canadian, so I decided to come up with my top-10 list.
I'm taking the easy way out and listing them alphabetically.
Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) played at Maine from 2008-2012. He was named a Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalist in 2012, when he led the nation in scoring. He was a first-team All-American, Hockey East Player of the Year, along with being named All-New England and New England MVP.
Andre Aubut (Laval, Quebec) played from 1978-1982. He holds Maine records for career goals and point by a defenseman. He was a 1980 first team All-American, and a three-time ECAC and three-time All-New England selection. He was elected into the UMaine Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.
Ben Hutton (Prescott, Ontario) played at Maine from 2012 – 2015. He set the school record for goals in a season by a defenseman with 15 during the 2013-14. He earned All-American honors. He was a Hockey East First Team selection, All-New England selection, and named 2014 New England Defenseman of the Year.
Paul Kariya (North Vancouver, British Columbia) led the team to its first National Championship in 1993 when he was named the Hobey Baker Award winner. He scored 25 goals and added 75 assists for 100 points as a freshman. He was a three-time Olympian and had a standout NHL career. He was elected to the UMaine Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 and also had his #9 retired.
Steve Kariya (North Vancouver, British Columbia) was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in 1999, when he led Maine to its second NCAA Championship. He was a first-team All-American and ranks tied for sixth on Maine's all-time scoring list with 187 career points. He was elected to the UMaine Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
Scott King (Thunder Bay, Ontario) played at Maine from 1986-1990. He holds school records wins, games played, minutes in goal and saves. He was a three-time Hockey East selection and named the Hockey East top goalie three times. He was a two-time All-New England selection and elected into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
Michel Leveille (Levis, Quebec) played for Maine from 2003 to 2007, where he scored 53 goals and 96 assists for 149 career points. He was a two-time All-American and a two-time Hockey East selection. He was the 2004 Hockey East and New England Rookie of the Year and named to the 2007 All-New England Team.
Jim Montgomery (Montreal, Quebec) played for Maine from 1989-1993. He is Maine's all-time scoring leader with 103 goals and 198 assists for 301 points. He also holds school records for assists, games played, and short-handed goals. He was a Hobey Baker finalists in 1993 and a two-time All-American. He was the 1993 NCAA Tournament MVP. He was selected to the UMaine Hall of Fame in 1998 and had his #19 retired.
Scott Pellerin (Shediac, New Brunswick) played for Maine from 1988-1992. He was a 1992 Hobey Baker Award winner and was a first team All-American that same year. He was also named Hockey East Player of the Year and All-New England. He was elected to the UMaine Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and has also had his #8 retired.
Jean-Yves Roy (Rosemere, Quebec) played for Maine from 1989-1992. He ranks fifth on Maine's all-time scoring list with 108 goals and 95 assists for 203 points in 124 games. His 108 career goals are a school record. He was a three-time All-American and a two-time Hobey Baker finalist. He was a three-time All-New England selection. He was elected into the UMaine Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
There were four guys who I cut off my initial list, so I'd like to give a big honorable mention to Blair Allison, David Cullen, Cory Larose, and Jeff Tory.
I'm sure that many people could argue for different players in their Maine Hockey Canadian top-10, but those are mine.