I know Grant goes to state championship games. He has been in the press
box several years at CMYC when I have been there. But in talking with
him, it seems he hasn't been too impressed with Maine talent. There have
been a couple of notable exceptions. One big disappointment was Barry
Clukey of Waterville. He set the National Federation goal scoring record
in his senior year. I forget whose record he broke but I do know he was
from Brick, N.J. and spent several years in the NHL. I think Barry got
some bad advise on how to handle his career. In my 40 years in sports, I
always got the feeling Southern Maine was "too sophisticated" for
anything Central or Northern Maine.

Deron Treadwell wrote:

> The following clip is from today's Portland Press Herald:
> ----
> The Eastern Junior Hockey League recently honored Saco natives John
> Laliberte and Sean Tremblay.
>
> Laliberte received the league's Offensive MVP award after compiling 103
> points for the Manchester Junior Monarchs. Laliberte will go to Boston
> University in the fall.
> -----
>
>
> Since we are now in the off-season, I thought I'd introduce a different
> topic.  Home-grown talent playing elsewhere.   Matt Libby of Saco
> (Providence) is another recent example, and we all know about Travis Roy..
> there are others I just can't think of their name right now.
>
> It seems as more Maine hockey players are developing, they are choosing to
> play for other schools other than Maine.  I wonder why that is?
>
> Here are some random thoughts:
> - Does UM not actively recruit Maine players?  If they do, do they try to
> sell less expensive in-state tuition instead of scholarship money?
>
> - How is UM's reputation in southern Maine?  After moving to the
> Portland-area this past summer I've noticed a huge difference in how the
> university (and the hockey program) is regarded down here.  Night and day,
> and not good for UMaine IMHO.  I wonder if there is a stigma, and a place
> like BU (*gasp*) looks more appealing to a young player.  It's hard to
> imagine a young hockey player in Maine would rather play for BU than Maine,
> but perhaps that speaks to the attitude toward UMaine in southern Maine.
>
> - I would think Tim Whitehead would be a good fit to appeal to local kids,
> especially after Maine's success this season and that stability has been
> added back to the program.
>
>