ORONO — Dan Renouf picked up one big assist before arriving at the University of Maine, when he convinced childhood friend Devin Shore to join him in committing to the Black Bears’ hockey team.
Renouf, a defenseman, had another 10 assists a year ago in a freshman campaign that showed promise but also inconsistency.
Now, 10 pounds heavier and armed with the experience of time spent in two NHL development camps this offseason, Renouf is poised to take on a larger role when Maine begins its 2014-15 season with a home exhibition game against New Brunswick on Sunday.
“I’m excited for what’s in store for him this year,” said Shore, a junior forward who was Maine’s leading scorer with 43 points last season.
Renouf scored one goal in his 34 games last season. But, like the team as a whole, he seemed sapped of energy as the season wound down. Maine finished 16-15-4 and was swept by Providence College in the Hockey East quarterfinals.
“I think I was kind of timid at points last year, and I think with a year under my belt, I’ll be more confident and contribute more,” Renouf said Thursday at the Black Bears’ media day. “My job on this team is to keep pucks out of the net. I want to show more of the physicality.”
Renouf was usually paired on the blue line with fellow freshman Eric Schurhamer, who added three goals and seven assists in 27 games. They return to a unit that lost captain Brice O’Connor to graduation but added beefy freshmen Mark Hamilton (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) and Malcolm Hayes (6-2, 220). Renouf, 6-2, is up to 205 pounds.
A strong defensive corps will be vital as Maine opens the season with three goaltenders – Matt Morris, Nik Nugness and Sean Romeo – vying to be the starter for the first time at this level.
It will help Maine immensely if Renouf grows into a star.
“I want him to be more consistent, and I also want him to contribute more offensively without giving up anything defensively,” Maine Coach Red Gendron said of his two primary goals for Renouf.
Shortly after the NHL draft last summer, Renouf was invited to prospect camps by the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins. There, he mingled with draft picks, junior players and free agents looking for a new landing spot.
The experience was valuable, Renouf said.
“It’s just cool to see how their daily schedule is and it’s just awesome to be around those caliber of players,” he said. “I think I fit in pretty well and hopefully I’ve got another three years here to catch up to them.”
Renouf spent the remaining two months of his summer at home in Pickering, Ontario, a 10-minute drive from the Shore household.
The two got together for weekly skating sessions, but mainly just hung out at each other’s homes like old times.
Shore, the team’s captain this season, said he has high expectations for his friend.
“He’s always in the right position, he’s got that long reach and you’re really comfortable on the bench when you see the puck in your zone and he’s on the ice,” Shore said.
“He’s working to get faster and stronger and get a harder shot. He’s such a smart player, so that’s already in place. It’s such a deep league that we’re going to need a deep team, and he’ll be a big part of that.”
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