October 17, 2000

Maine Loses Shields for the Season
Top Recruit Declared Ineligible
Compiled by USCHO Staff

ORONO, Maine - Maine freshman Colin Shields has been declared ineligible for
the season as a result of a standard eligibility check by the school's
compliance office.

While playing in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) last year, Shields
briefly took full-time course work at a junior college. This rendered him a
transfer student under NCAA rules and therefore subject to a one-year
waiting period.

A native of Glasgow, Scotland, Shields was expected to be the Black Bears'
top freshman after leading the NAHL in scoring. He remains enrolled at Maine
and continues to practice with the team. He will become eligible at the
start of next season.

"It's tough to lose a kid of that caliber," said Maine interim head coach
Gene Reilly. "But this is hockey - you move on."