The struggling University of Maine men’s hockey program has suffered a significant setback with the departure of 2013-14 second-team All-Americans Devin Shore and Ben Hutton.
Head coach Red Gendron and assistants Jay Leach and Ben Guite knew this was the likelihood and prepared for it during their recruiting.
Even though neither player had the type of season they hoped for, they will be difficult to replace on a team that has a 14-22-3 record to overcome.
Both passed up their senior years to sign pro contracts: Shore with Dallas and Hutton with Vancouver.
Hutton is a more significant loss. The defenseman logged more minutes than Shore and had a bigger influence on a game.
Hutton played 24 to 27 minutes every night. His great hands, composure and smart decisions with the puck fueled the offense. He quarterbacked the power play.
He became the first defenseman to ever lead Maine in goals two years ago and led the nation with 15. He finished his career with 28 goals and 37 assists in 108 games.
Even though he was a team-worst minus-15 in plus-minus, his defensive play improved immeasurably.
Shore was a constant offensive presence who could make plays all over the ice. He improved his shot and wound up shooting more as his career progressed at Maine. He led the team in scoring all three years and wound up with 104 points on 34 goals and 70 assists in 112 games.
His defensive play was inconsistent and his captaincy may have played a role in his occasional struggles because it put added pressure on him.
So how do the Black Bears move on?
Dan Renouf, who will be a junior, showed signs over the second half of the season that he is evolving into an offensive defenseman in addition to being a reliable defender. He appears to be the most likely member of the defense corps to assume some of Hutton’s minutes.
His decision-making with the puck in the offensive zone has improved noticeably.
He is confident with the puck and has shown a better ability to make plays.
Eric Schurhamer, who also will be a junior, had his season shortened by a knee injury, but he is another blue liner with offensive instincts. Freshman Mark Hamilton has a heavy shot, and junior Conor Riley can be a threat when he uses his speed to jump into the rush.
Incoming freshman Robert Michel, who led Central Canada Hockey League’s defensemen in scoring with 53 points (16 & 37) in 57 games, appears to be the most likely player to boost the offense.
Up front, the Black Bears will have to score by committee. They have five forwards capable of being regular contributors on the top two lines.
Junior Steven Swavely’s numbers have improved every year. The efficient power forward has averaged eight goals a season, but he should be good for at least 12 next season.
Sophomore Cam Brown probably was Maine’s most consistent forward, as he created a lot of offense with his quickness, elusiveness and tenacity. He matched Swavely’s 28 points and could be even better next season if he adds strength to his 5-foot-7, 150-pound frame.
With some work on his shot and release, Brown should reach double figures in goals after scoring seven this season. Sophomore Blaine Byron was second with 12 goals and his crafty moves should serve him even better next season with added strength.
Nolan Vesey had a productive freshman season with 10 goals and 13 assists and should be even more prominent, and junior Will Merchant (5 & 4) was the team’s most improved forward. His numbers should increase noticeably.
The wild card is freshman Liam Pecararo (3 & 6), who is considered one of the team’s most gifted players. But between being a healthy scratch and serving a two-game suspension for a violation of team rules, his second half fell apart. He sat out the last nine games.
Gendron still has faith in him, and if a motivated Pecararo can realize his potential, he could make a significant contribution.
Incoming freshmen Dane Gibson and Justin Rai also could contribute.