ORONO, Maine — The University of Maine men’s hockey team will have its first brother tandem since the 2005-06 season next fall.
Steven Swavely, younger brother of Black Bear sophomore right wing Jon Swavely, has verbally committed to join his brother at Maine.
In 2005-2006, Maine had the Hopson (Keenan and John) and Lundin (Mike and Matt) brothers.
Steven Swavely is leading the Eastern Junior Hockey League’s New Jersey Hitmen in scoring with 22 goals and 30 assists in 45 games.
Swavely is much bigger than his older brother as he stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 191 pounds. Jon Swavely is 5-9, 175, and the current list of Maine forwards doesn’t include anyone over 6-1.
The Swavely brothers last played together at Muhlenberg High School (Pa.) when Jon was a senior and Steven was a freshman. They played one year together and won the state championship.
“Steven was the league’s leading scorer,” said Jon Swavely, who is looking forward to playing with his brother again and said his brother will help the team.
“He’s a real good player. He’s real strong on the puck and he can move for somebody his size as well,” said Jon Swavely. “He’s a defense-minded forward who has a scoring touch as well. And he’s real strong on draws [faceoffs].”
“He’ll be one of those guys who will fly under the radar and will surprise some people,” added Swavely.
Steven Swavely said he is “pretty excited” about coming to Maine and chose the Black Bears over Connecticut and Massachusetts.
He said joining his brother was one of the primary factors in his decision along with the quality of hockey and the tradition.
“I also love the area and the school. I’ve always enjoyed myself up there,” said Steven Swavely, who is a right-hand shot.
Swavely said he views himself as a “two-way center” who takes pride in defense, penalty-killing and faceoffs.
“Faceoffs have always been one of my strong points,” said Swavely, who feels he needs to work on his speed and quickness to adapt to the pace of college hockey.
He will be a recruited walk-on, but he is hoping he can “prove myself down the road” and earn scholarship money.
“I can’t wait to get going next fall,” said the 20-year-old Swavely.
His coming to Maine is contingent upon his admission into the school and meeting NCAA eligibility requirements.
13 one sentence paragraphs today. The fattest, laziest reporter at the BDN, rolls on.
I cannot say that I blame Larry… clearly the readership cannot be all that bright if only about 3 of us are intelligent enough to know what Whitehead brings to the table and WHY good recruits simply do not want to waste their development years, floundering under a “system” where all forwards must chase all pucks and NO forward may set up or streak down the ice, on the weak side, ready for a pass.
You guys must all be English Majors. I think Larry is a genius the way he lures you guys into critiquing his reporting!This is Hockey! Shakespeare is not required. I like Larry’s style. I may not always like some of his alibis but again it’s HOCKEY! It does not happen on the keys of your computer. GO BLACKBEARS! I think this team could do something that will silence the BOO BIRDS
Hopefully he’s better than his brother.
Oh another player that’s going to be the answer to turn things around. Good grief what we need is a new coach!
Isn’t Nemic 6’4″?
Doh! No Maine forwards over 6’1″. Sorry Lar.
This is unfortunate – posted on Maine Hockey Journal’s site
“Swann Boisvert decommits -Swann Boisvert who was scheduled
to come to Maine has decommitted, the Maine Hockey Journal has learned.
It was a mutual decision between Boisvert and the Maine coaching staff.
The 19-year old forward has 23 goals and 33 assists in 57 games with the
defending RBC Cup Champions, the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Central Junior
Hockey League. It’s rumored he’s looking at Atlantic Hockey schools or spend another year
with the Lumber Kings next season. An email to Boisvert for comment wasn’t returned.”
Maine Hockey Journal also posted the Swavely signing on the 25th of January…
http://mainehockeyjournal.com/category/maine-black-bears/