In this day in age of college hockey recruiting, players are getting younger and younger, but University of Maine men’s ice hockey head coach Tim Whitehead likes to take an “old school” approach to recruiting.

“It’s really starting to become an early (age) recruiting game,” said Whithead during Maine’s media day at Alfond Arena. “Unfortunately, you take more chances that way. I liked it the way it was before, quite frankly, where you watched kids in their senior year in high school or watching them after high school playing in juniors where you know what you’re going to get, a real mature veteran player.”

Half of Maine’s recruiting class made their commitment within the last year, but Whitehead is working in younger kids for the future.

“That’s not the case so much anymore, but we have adapted to it as all teams have. We’ve been getting some younger players. We still have some guys that will take a couple of years occasionally.”

This year’s freshmen class includes one 20-year old and six 19-year olds.

Jonathan Parker and Stuart Higgins, both are veterans out of the United States Hockey League. Whitehead calls both players responsible in their own end.

“John Parker came to us from Muskegon where he was the captain,” Whitehead added. “I think John is very prepared to help right away and is a complete player. He can play at center as freshman. He can take face-offs, kill penalties, and chip-in offensively.”

“We also have Stuart Higgins, who is a two-year veteran of the USHL, who also can play center and can contribute right away especially on the penalty kill,” said Whitehead. “He’s very honest defensively.”

Higgins made his commitment in the January of 2008.

“Stuart committed as a midget (AAA) level player in Detroit,” Whitehead stated. “That was two or three years ago. Obviously, we knew it was going to be a few years and he ended up playing an extra year after high school which was very good for him. He’s the first one to say he needed that year to come in to be more ready.”

Higgins agreed with Whitehead.

“That extra year of juniors has really helped me,” Higgins said. “I am ready to go. Those two years in the USHL really helped me in my development.”

Both Higgins and Parker said going to the USHL to college hockey will be a seamless transition.

“It’s very similar with the practices,” Parker said. “The USHL really prepares you for (college hockey.) I am really excited to get it going.”

“I actually think the USHL and college hockey are very similar,” Higgins added. “The players here are step above, but the travel is very similar.”

Connor Leen is considered the most offensively gifted player among the freshmen.

“Connor Leen might be the best of the bunch,” Whitehead said. “He’s an elite offensive player with a lot of grit to his game. For a small guy, he’s tough and he had a tremendous season with the New Jersey Hitmen of the (Eastern Junior Hockey League). We think he can help us right away.”

Whitehead made the decision to bring Leen in for this season during the middle of last season where Leen was on his way to a 26 goals and 41 assist season with the Hitmen.

“Towards the middle of the Hitmen season,” Connor Leen said of when he found out he would be a Black Bear in 2011 instead of 2012. “I felt like we developed a lot over the year and felt ready to come in.”

Pietro Antonelli, a native of Blainsville, Quebec made his commitment in May is expected to be a power forward.

“We came and visited in May,” said Antonelli. “Education (was a factor) and playing at a high level of hockey is always fun.”

Andrew Cerretani, who played for Lawrence Academy last year, is expected to be an offensive player who can throw the body around.

Cerretani is adjusting to his independence as a student.

“There is an independence from an academic stand point, I me my own decisions where as prep school you are more monitored,” Cerretani said. “It’s something that I am adjusting to, but right now I am loving it.”

The Black Bears have two defensemen coming in Jake Rutt, Scarborough native, and Bill Norman from Sweden.

“Bill Norman is a true freshman from Sweden via Minnesota high school, he’s a young kid with a ton of potential, especially on the offensive side,” Whitehead said. “He’s very smooth with the puck and great on the power play and makes good decisions coming out of his own end. He’s going to be a real strong contributor over his four years.”