UMaine is stacking the deck in goal

Published on: 2nd October, 2009 by Nathan Fournier

Orono, ME – University of Maine’s men’s ice hockey head coach Tim Whitehead will have a tough decision to make in regard to who he will put in net next week against Union when the Black Bears open their season.

“I think most importantly David (Wilson) and Scott (Darling) had a great summer,” said Whitehead. “They are really prepared to play and I think they are coming in with the most experience.”

Dave Wilson, the elder statesmen out of the four netminders, knows nothing will be given to him and he’s ready for the competition.

“I think it will be a good year,” said Wilson. “The competition will really help. Overall this year, we will make each other stronger in the long run. The competition in the practices and games will help all of us.”

Last year, the 24-year old native from Caledon, Ontario had a record of 3-8-1 with a 2.82 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.

The only drafted goaltender is Scott Darling on the Black Bears, who was the Phoenix Coyotes’ sixth round pick in 2007. After a strong start to his college career last season he’s not worried about the dreaded sophomore slump.

“I think I worked really hard this off-season,” said Darling. “I don’t think a sophomore slump will be a problem for me.”

Even with Wilson, Darling and Sirman vying for the number one job, Darling said all of them remain friends.

“We are all great friends, its friendly competition, but we all are working really hard,” said Darling.

As a freshman, Darling went a 10-14-3 record with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage with the Black Bears.

Not only is Darling and Wilson fighting for the top job, there’s a new guy in the mix as freshmen Shawn Sirman.

Coming off a great spring when he committed to Maine in the spring, Inside College Hockey ranked Sirman as the second best goalie recruit for the upcoming season.

“I haven’t actually seen it,” said a surprised Sirman. “Really?”

He was ranked behind St. Cloud State’s Mike Lee, who Sirman faced at the World Junior “A” Challenge in Camrose, Alberta last November.

On the ice, he backed stopped the Kingston Voyageurs to the RBC Cup as the Ontario’s representative.

“It was an experience of a lifetime,” he said. “You will never forget that feeling doing that well in hockey.

Tim Whitehead is expecting great things from the 19-year old.

“Shawn Sirman is coming in off a tremendous season with Kingston,” he said. “He’s going to push and really press for ice time.”

Sirman is looking to raise the level of play.

“I need to set the bar high,” said Sirman. “Hopefully, I can do that. If not, just keep working hard in practice, keep working hard off the ice, and hope for the best.”

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