Paul Kariya was one of Justin Rai’s favorite players growing up. Rai was raised in Surrey, British Columbia, a suburb of Vancouver, where the Kariya brothers lived.
Rai will be following Kariya, a former Hobey Baker Award winner and National Hockey League star, to Orono next fall after verbally committing to attend the University of Maine.
“I used to watch Paul Kariya on TV so I’ve had Maine on my mind,” said Rai, a left wing who plays for the Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.
“(Maine assistant coach) Ben Guite showed tremendous interest in me and I liked the way he talked to me. I’ve also heard a lot of good things about the program,” added Rai. “I sat down with my parents and it was a no-brainer. Maine is a great fit for me and hopefully I’ll be a great fit for them.”
The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Rai had 10 goals and six assists in 10 games for the Spruce Kings entering Friday night’s game at Powell River.
He had 21 & 25 in 51 games for the Spruce Kings a year ago after having 11 & 14 in 40 games during the 2012-13 season.
“Justin is very dynamic,” said Prince George assistant coach and scouting director Colton Buffie. “He can make something out of nothing. He has great skating ability and he is also very good at dishing the puck and shooting it.”
Buffie also said that Rai has worked hard to become a more complete player.
“He plays in all situations now. You can put him out there in a 5-on-3 penalty kill,” said Buffie. “He can be 20 feet behind someone going in on a breakaway and he’ll catch him.”
Rai, who is 20, will be a scholarship player and was recruited by several other Division I schools.
Buffie said Rai is well-respected by his teammates and is the type of player who will take a hit to make a play and block a shot.
“I’ll be playing older guys in college next year so I want to work on all parts of my game, especially my speed even though I consider it one of my strengths,” said Rai, who is an assistant captain.
His participation at Maine is contingent upon his acceptance into the school and compliance with NCAA eligibility requirements.
Thomas hires Barnes
Thomas College of Waterville has announced the hiring of Troy Barnes as the head coach of the men’s ice hockey team.
Barnes is a graduate of UMaine, where he was a four-year defenseman who was part of two NCAA national runner-up teams.
Barnes then played in the ECHL for the Pensacola Ice Pilots, the CHL for the Wichita Thunder and most recently in Italy for Caldaro SG, SV Kaltern, and Pergine for the last seven years.
“I am very excited to accept the job as head coach for the Thomas College hockey club. After meeting with members of the athletic department, I’m excited to see the commitment they have for the hockey program and the direction they see the program going,” Barnes said in a press release.
Pink and White Fight
Strong Mind Strong Body Inc. and UMaine are sponsoring the first annual “Pink and White Fight,” an effort to combat breast cancer.
Fans are asked to wear pink, white or both to Saturday’s Homecoming football game at 12:30 p.m. in Orono.
Fans are asked to bring a small donation to aid in the fight, with participants eligible to win prizes during the game. All proceeds will aid “Colleges Against Cancer,” which focuses on local charities and movements in the cause.
UMaine basketball teams open practice
UMaine’s basketball teams invite fans to attend open practices during Homecoming weekend.
Coach Richard Barron’s Black Bear women will welcome fans and alumni to Saturday’s workout from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in Memorial Gym.
The men’s squad, directed by first-year head coach Bob Walsh, is holding an open practice from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, also in “The Pit.”