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.