This email has been sent to you by Deron Treadwell ([log in to unmask]).

Comments from Sender:

This story can be found online at:
http://www.pressherald.com/sports/college/hockey/030303umthomas.shtml

 ==============================================================================

                     Monday, March 3, 2003

                     UMaine Hockey: Kevin Thomas



                       Bears look to Reimann for spark




                      Copyright  2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.





ORONO - He came to the University of Maine with gaudy numbers. Tom Reimann led all players in U.S. junior hockey with 48 goals and 65 assists - in 54 games.

   So what may be one of the key moves for the Black Bears this year? Making Reimann a defenseman.

   The move accomplishes two things. It gives Maine an experienced puck-handler on defense, and it gives Reimann a chance to be more productive.

   Reimann, 24, a senior from Blaine, Minn., has not reproduced the statistics from his years in juniors. Heading into the final weeks of his career, Reimann has recorded 24 goals and 59 assists. He appeared to be breaking out last season, when he had 12 goals and 23 assists, but his numbers are down this year (5 goals, 13 assists).

   "Tommy has not produced well offensively," Maine Coach Tim Whitehead said, "but he has always been solid defensively.

   "Some guys get in a slump offensively, then don't play well at all. But Tommy has been consistent on the defensive side."

   Reimann, who had become a defensive forward, is now an offensive defenseman who gives the Black Bears a scoring threat from the blue line. And Maine hopes Reimann's history of clutch play carries over into this postseason.

   Of Reimann's 65 points his previous three seasons, 14 have come in the postseason.

   But why didn't Reimann pan out as a high-scoring forward? The answer is in Reimann's head, and a little in his left shoulder.

   Reimann suffered a brutal concussion his freshman year, knocking him out of action for three months.

   "I sat in my room with the lights out, because the lights hurt my head," Reimann said. "It was pretty scary. I didn't know if I would play again."

   Reimann returned and recorded six points in Maine's five postseason games, helping the Black Bears to the 2000 Frozen Four.

   But Reimann was a different player before his injury, and he knows he's now a step slower.

   "I'm still gun-shy," he said. "I don't know if I'll ever get over it. It seems like I'm waiting for the play to happen instead of getting to the puck. I've struggled."

   Reimann's next hurdle was his shoulder, which hurt all last season and required surgery. Doctors discovered a tear that was much more serious than expected. A one-hour surgery turned into three hours. A three-month layoff turned into six months. Reimann was cleared to start lifting weights only two weeks ago.

   "It used to hurt when I fell. Now it hurts all the time," Reimann said.

   His game has suffered.

   Reimann, who began his college career on Maine's No. 1 line, found himself on the fourth line 10 days ago against Massachusetts. UMass won that game 4-2, as the Black Bears could not get the puck out of their own zone.

   "We were in a pretty big bind," said assistant coach Campbell Blair, who tutors the defenseman. "We had nothing else to lose than to try (Reimann) at defense."

   Reimann played defense at the start of last season when the Black Bears were short of defensemen. He has also played the point on the power play. In the Saturday game against UMass, a 4-0 win, the Black Bears moved the puck better.

   It also should be noted that in the past three games, Reimann has been on the ice only once when an opponent scored, and that was an empty-netter.

   "Tommy has responded very well," Whitehead said. "Overall, he's played very composed, just real solid."

   Reimann has usually responded to his coaches' desires. When he first came to Maine, he figured he'd take enough courses to stay eligible, but not enough for a degree. His coaches told him otherwise.

   "I wasn't the school type," he said. "But they make you take it seriously here."

   Reimann will graduate in May with a degree in communications.

   While Reimann hasn't delivered gaudy statistics during his career, he's proven his value to the team. And with a switch in positions, he may be a key to the Black Bears' postseason run.

   Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

   [log in to unmask]