ROCKVILLE, MD: The University of New Hampshire Wildcats added Team Maryland’s leading scorer, Maxim Gaudreault, to their list of college commitments. This will be the 2nd player off Team Maryland’s roster to sign with UNH this year—joining teammate Casey Thrush, as well as last year’s teammate, Nick Sorkin, who is entering UNH this Fall. Gaudreault’s commitment creates a nice pipeline to UNH for Team Maryland, which no other organization in the Southeast has been able to establish.
Gaudreault finished the regular season on top of the leader board with 44 goals, 74 assists, 118 points, and 50 PIMS. A native of Annapolis, Maryland, Maxim will be graduating high school at the end of this month.
The UNH-Team Maryland pipeline is a major accomplishment for Team Maryland’s Midget program. Since the organizations inaugural year in 2006, Head Coach and General Manager Jason Kersner has built this program into one of the best Midget AAA programs in the country.
Team Maryland finished the season with a great run at this year’s USA Hockey National Championship before losing to the Chicago Mission in the semi-finals. The Mission then defeated the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers to win the National title. Although disappointed with its third place finish, Team Maryland is looking forward to next season.
Besides sending two players to the University of New Hampshire this year, as well as one player last year, and having two of them being ranked on NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings (Casey Thrush and Nick Sorkin), Team Maryland has placed almost all of its graduating players with a junior or college team for next season. Team Maryland expects many of its players to be drafted in the upcoming NHL, USHL, and NAHL drafts.
“Maxim has been instrumental in helping to build the Midget AAA program into one of the most respected and highly regarded programs in the country” said Kersner. A left shot who can play either wing or center, Maxim is described by Kersner, as "our most complete player." "He has a great sense of the game," Kersner says. "His hockey IQ is outstanding. He's strong on the power play, penalty kill, really responsible defensively, and very competitive. He's a strong kid who wins a lot of fights for pucks. He's mentally tough, and composed," Kersner adds. "The bigger the game, the better he plays."
Maxim’s hard work and talent are expected to carry over to UNH, which competes for a National Championship every year, as well as serve as a training ground for top-level prospects moving on to the professional level. Team Maryland is very excited to see Maxim join the Wildcat community with teammates Nick Sorkin and Casey Thrush as they will compete for National Title’s down the road.
Players that have signed Tenders with North American Hockey League (NAHL) teams include Mike Williams (Springfield Jr. Blues), Jake Lynes (Topeka Roadrunners), Lennie Childs (Janesville Jets), as well as Maxim (Motor City Metal Jackets).
Players that have signed in the Eastern Junior Hockey League include Tyler Kapp (Bridgewater Bandits), and Mark Cisar (Rochester Stars). The coaching staff expects several other players to sign with EJHL clubs off this year’s roster within the upcoming months.
Last weekend in Ontario, Canada, The Powassan Dragons of the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League made a trade with Elliot Lake Bobcats to free up a spot in the 2010 GMHL Draft taking Team Maryland Forward Luke Branin in the 3rd Round.
Team Maryland, through Kersner, has built strong and credible relationships within the hockey communities of the USHL, EJHL, NAHL, NHL, and Division I College Hockey. The preparation for next season has already begun as the Coaching Staff expects to be once again one of the top 10 teams in the nation.
2009-2010 PLAYER PLACEMENTS
1. Casey Thrush: University of New Hampshire (Hockey East)—Listed number 89 on NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings for the 2010 NHL Draft
2. Maxim Gaudreault: University of New Hampshire (Hockey East)—Signed a Tender with the Motor City Metal Jackets (NAHL)
3. Jake Lynes: Signed a Tender with the Topeka Roadrunners (NAHL)
4. Mike Williams: Signed a Tender with the Springfield Jr. Blues: (NAHL)
5. Lennie Childs: Signed a Tender with the Janesville Jets (NAHL)
6. Mark Cisar: Signed with the Rochester Stars (EJHL)
7. Tyler Kapp: Signed with the Bridegwater Bandits (EJHL)
8. Luke Branin: 3rd Round Draft Pick by the Powassan Dragons (GMHL) in this years GMHL Priority Draft.
STILL TO COME FOR TEAM MARYLAND PLAYERS: 2010 NHL, USHL, AND NAHL DRAFTS—CHECK TEAM MARYLAND’S WEBSITE (www.teammarylandu18.com) FOR UPDATED TEAM MARYLAND PLAYER COMMITMENTS AND DRAFT PICKS.
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