Orono, ME – The No. 15 University of Maine men’s ice hockey team held it’s annual media event on the new and improved ice in the friendly confines of Alfond Arena.

The Black Bears took the ice in front of cameras and onlookers for the first time this season. The team may have looked and felt the same, but there was one notable difference – the lack of Swedish powerhouse Gustav Nyquist.

Nyquist led Maine last season with 51 points, which leaves a big gap for upcoming leaders of the team like Spencer Abbott.

“I guess there will be a little extra pressure, but you really can’t think about it like that. You have to go out there and play your game or you’ll just eat yourself alive,” said Abbott, the newly assigned assistant captain.

The Black Bears cannot afford to dwell on the fact that they have lost some key players over the offseason, but instead they need to look to the future and hone in on the things they can control.

With leaders and captains like Brian Flynn, a native of Lynn, Mass, the Black Bears can look to him and Will O’Neill to lead by example.

Flynn openly shared his thoughts on his new captaincy and what his role as captain will be.

“It’s definitely going to be a little different and it’s a big honor.” Flynn continued, “I feel that I’m ready for it and I’m ready to go. I’m a hard worker and someone who can lead by example and set the tone.”

On the other side of the ice, Maine has two very capable goaltenders. Martin Ouellette started nine games, earning himself a .862 SV%, 2.77 GAA, and a record of 3-3-2 and one shutout.

Dan Sullivan spent the most time in net with 21 starts and finished with a .890 SV%, 2.73 GAA, and a record of 10-7-2 and 3 shutouts.

Maine head coach Tim Whitehead expressed his joy over the two players.

“I’m very pleased instead of having two freshmen goalies, now we have two sophomore goalies, which makes a world of difference.”

The feeling on the team is that no matter which netminder they have in the game, the Black Bears feel that they have a really good shot to stop any team they may meet this season.

With the entire season in front of them, the Maine hockey team has many exciting events on the horizon.

Many of the players are excited and focused on taking the ice against Merrimack College in the regular season opener which takes place Friday, October 7 on their home ice at Alfond.

Others can’t help focusing on one event everyone seems to be buzzing about. The 2012 Frozen Fenway game will be one of the biggest events in the University of Maine’s history.

Brian Flynn seems quite eager and anxious for Jan. 7 Fenway Park match-up, but is trying to avoid getting too far ahead of himself.

“It’s circled right on my calendar as a big game of the season,” said Flynn. He went on to say that “the challenge will be to not think about it because there are too many important games leading up till then.”

In the offseason, many of the Maine players really tried to bulk up and bring their strength to new levels.

“I know I needed to work on battling for the puck,” Flynn added. “I feel I got stronger over the offseason which I hope helps me win more puck battles this year.”

“The boys have really pushed themselves physically off the ice, and now you can really see the benefit on the ice,” said Whitehead.

Maine hopes it will show in their pre-season game against the University of New Brunswick, the CIS Canadian National Champions, since the Canadian college teams tend to use the board and their size to overwhelm their U.S counterparts.

“They tend to be bigger teams,” said Abbott. “I, myself, don’t like to use the body like that, but I’m sure there are a few players here that will be very happy.”

Maine will take the ice for the first time this season at 4 PM on Sunday against the UNB Varsity Red at Alfond Arena.