The University of Maine announced four more additions to its men’s hockey recruiting class on Thursday.
Ryan Smith, a 19-year-old forward from the Green Bay Gamblers of the U.S. Hockey League, and Tyler Johnson, an 18-year-old goalie from the Topeka Roadrunners of the North American Hockey League, signed letters of intent.
In addition, Tim Doherty, a 20-year-old forward from the Boston Jr. Bruins, and Stephen Mundinger, a 20-year-old goalie from the New York Aviators of the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League, also committed to Maine.
Smith, a 6-foot, 195-pound power forward, had 12 goals and 12 assists for Green Bay last winter. A native of Roanoke, Virginia, he also played in the 2014 CCC/USA Hockey All-American Prospects game and was a member of Team USA in the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Tournament.
Johnson, 6-3 and 185 pounds, went 20-13 with a 2.56 goals-against average and .907 save percentage for Topeka last year. Very athletic and instinctive in the net, Johnson is a native of Amherst, New York. He is eligible to be drafted this year. Johnson played briefly in an Ontario Hockey League game a year ago as a call-up. Under NCAA rules regarding the OHL, he is required to sit out one year, but the Black Bears have filed an appeal.
Maine has likewise filed paperwork with the NCAA regarding Doherty. He enrolled at Brown University last year but left before he played hockey to return to the Jr. Bruins, for which he played the two previous seasons. Doherty is 6-foot, 185 pounds and a native of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Gifted offensively, he had 61 goals and 77 assists in 117 games for the Jr. Bruins.
Maine Coach Red Gendron said he does not know what will happen with either appeal.
Mundinger, who turns 21 on Tuesday, is a 6-foot-8, 236-pound native of Smithtown, New York. While with the Aviators, he compiled a 24-8-2-2 record with a 2.71 goals-against average and .936 save percentage. Gendron said he is extremely athletic.
“And he’s 6-8,” said Gendron. “I can teach him things, my goalie coach Alfie Michaud can teach him things. But you can’t teach 6-8.”
Those four join five other recruits who had signed in November: centers Chase Pearson, Patrick Shea and Jake Pappalardo; defenseman Patrick Holway and left wing Mitchell Fossier.
“I think we have a nice mix of size, speed, hockey sense, scoring ability,” said Gendron. “I’m exciting about this recruiting class.”
Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:
mlowe@pressherald.com
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