ORONO, Maine — Spencer Abbott and Brian Flynn comprised two-thirds of the highest-scoring line in Division I men’s hockey this past season along with Joey Diamond.
Abbott and Flynn, who were free agents, are also roommates.
But they will be adversaries this weekend after both agreed to National Hockey League amateur tryout contracts Wednesday.
Left wing Abbott signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs and center Flynn said he will put his name on a Buffalo Sabres contract Thursday morning.
They will report to their respective American Hockey League franchises, the Toronto Marlies and the Rochester Americans, and it just so happens Toronto will visit Rochester for games Friday and Saturday.
Abbott finished the season as the leading scorer in Division I with 62 points on 21 goals and 41 assists in 39 games. He also leads the country in points per game (1.59), assists (41) and assists per game (1.05).
The Hockey East Player of the Year is one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, which is given to the nation’s top Division I player. The New England hockey writers selected him the Most Valuable Player and Best Forward in the region.
Abbott was a Hockey East first-team selection as was Flynn.
Abbott’s plus-15 rating was second on the team behind Flynn’s plus-18.
A player is awarded a plus one if he is on the ice when his team scores an even-strength or shorthanded goal and a minus-one if the opponent scores.
Flynn notched 18 goals and 30 assists in 40 games and his 48 points left him in a ninth-place tie.
His 0.75 assists per game tied him with teammate Will O’Neill for 17th in the country.
O’Neill signed with the Winnipeg Jets earlier this week.
“I’m very excited,” said Flynn, who will sign a $92,500 signing bonus and will get a two-way contract that will pay him a salary based on whether he plays in the NHL or AHL.
Abbott also signed a two-way contract.
“It’s a great organization. I’ve always wanted a chance to play in the NHL, and now I’m going to be one step closer,” said Flynn.
He said the Sabres “showed a ton of interest in me” and that Buffalo would be an “awesome place to play.”
He will undergo a physical exam Thursday morning before joining his new teammates.
Abbott could not be reached for comment.
Flynn concluded his career with 156 points (69 goals, 87 assists) in 153 games, good for 11th on Maine’s all-time scoring list.
Abbott, who scored a goal in the NCAA Northeast Regional Tournament loss to Minnesota-Duluth after missing the previous game with a head injury, wound up tied with Guy Perron for 17th on the school’s all-time scoring list with 146 points (54 & 93) in 151 career games.
“It’s great. I’m really proud of both of them,” said Maine coach Tim Whitehead. “They’ve earned everything they’ve received. They’ve been an integral part of our team for four seasons and there’s no underestimating the impact they’ve had on their teammates and the program. I was very pleased they stayed for their senior years and they took their games to another level.”
Because they’re great athletes, they can simply stop going to classes and get complete support by UMaine to continue their courses for the spring semester. If a non-athlete with a serious medical or psychological or financial problem tried to get this kind of sympathy, he or she would be bounced out of every class and get no tuition refunds. The usual double standard at UMaine for athletes vs. non-athletes.
Double Standard at every job…or anything in life…
So bunyan, you’re comparing the contributions that Abbott and Flynn have made to the university with the contributions that a kid with psychological or financial problems would have made??? Hmmn…
A university is a place of higher learning. In what way have these athletes contributed to the overall goal of the university (academically)? Sure they sell tickets, but college sports programs lose money!
I am not bashing these two, I have enjoyed watching them play, but there really is a double standard when it comes to student athletes.
Congrats to all 3 O’Neil, Flynn and Abbott. Great leadership from these 3 in turning a 3-6 season into an NCAA birth and final HE game. Hopefully this senior class they have set the wheels in motion to have this program going in the fight direction and making the NCAA’s an annual event.
Maine is doing what all schools do in allowing these players to leave and makeup their course work over the summer.
Get over it and be happy for these kids and the Hockey Program!!!
Some college sports programs lose money but not this one. 5,000 fans fill the Alfond on most nights-the program brings in a lot of money and positive publicity for the university-that has a value.
Seriously?? There are less than 6 weeks left of classes max. Get over it.
Congrats to Abbott & Flynn for FOUR great years at UMaine….all the best for a bright future in the pros…..and last time I checked Maine isnt the only school that does this in the nation, having college hockey players sign after there season is over, so its not a double standard for UMaine period…..