Portland Junior Pirates

Saco, ME- The majority of this past season’s Junior Pirates have decided on where they will continue their hockey careers, and for eight of them, it will still be in Maine. Former Junior Pirates have gone on to play for the UMaine Blackbears, Bowdoin Polar Bears, Southern Maine Huskies and now the University of New England Nor’ Easters.

Five of this year’s Junior Pirates will head just a few miles south of the MHG Ice Centre this fall to the University of New England. After completing two years as a club team, the UNE Men’s Ice Hockey team will begin its first year in the Division III ECAC-East Conference. Through its first two years as a club, UNE has improved from a record of 3-11-2 in 07/08 to 14-4-1 in 08/09. In those two years, Head Coach Brad Holt has seen his team change dramatically and the same will occur for the incoming players this fall. Forwards Paul Kashmanian, John Melancon and Tyler Fleurent have committed as well as Russ Franey and Nick Cummings on defense.

Tyler Fleurent has a good history with UNE’s home ice, as he was part of Biddeford High School’s undefeated championship team a few years back on the same rink. He is also the cousin of Dana Gobeil, another former Junior Pirate that has been part of the club team for the past two years and into the upcoming season.

Paul Kashmanian of Grand Island NY, played two years with the Pirates and carried the offense last season with 10 goals and 19 assists. Paul is expected to make a huge impact on and off the ice.

John Melancon of Lyman, ME had been with the Junior Pirates since his sophomore year in high school. Melancon scored 4 goals and 8 assists this past season.

Nick Cummings of Waltham, MA spent two years with the Junior A's where he finished last season with 5 goals and 6 assists.

Joining Cummings on defense, Russ Franey of York, ME spent just last season with the Junior A's. Franey finished the year with 2 goals and 19 assists while making the AJHL All-Star team.

With the improvement of all UNE sports in the past two years, the addition of the five Junior Pirates will help in the continued success of the Ice Hockey team.

Three more of this year’s team will end up heading to UNE’s ECAC- East opponent, the University of Southern Maine in Gorham. Throughout the existence of the Portland Junior Pirates, USM has the most alumni of the program. Nine players to date have gone on to suit up for the Southern Maine Huskies. Forward Kevin Smith and defensemen Ryan Boucher and Dan Smith will be the newest of those nine.

The addition of Kevin Smith will help take the place of his graduating brother Kyle Smith who just finished his senior season. Boucher and Dan Smith are also a huge improvement. Boucher was third in scoring for defensemen this past season in the AJHL and was also named MVP of the All-Star Game. Dan has five years experience with the Junior Pirates while serving as captain this past season.

The Huskies finished their 2008-2009 season with an overall record of 11-12-3.

The University of New England and University of Southern Maine Ice Hockey will compete for the first time this winter on December 8th at 7:00pm in Biddeford. This game will feature the most Portland Junior Pirates Alumni in a single game.