The University of Maine men’s hockey program has received a National Letter of Intent from Keith Muehlbauer, a big, hard-nosed defenseman from Apple Valley, Minnesota.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Muehlbauer had 10 goals and 18 assists in 25 games for Eastview High School last season. He is playing for Eastview again this season, although they are currently in preseason training. Muehlbauer will turn 18 on Jan. 22.
“He is a great skater and a very physical defenseman,” Maine coach Red Gendron said. “He also has a very good shot.”
Muehlbauer will be a scholarship player next season.
Muehlbauer also played football at Eastview until a year ago. He was a middle linebacker.
The right-shot defenseman visited Maine for the recent Boston University game and was instantly sold on Maine.
“The student section and the atmosphere at the game was unbelievable,” Muehlbauer said. “I loved it.
“It’s also a small campus and I really liked it a lot,” Muehlbauer added.
Muehlbauer is looking forward to next fall and said he enjoys playing physical.
“I think [physical] play is what they liked about me,” Muehlbauer said.
“I need to work on the offensive part of my game,” he added. “I’ve got to work on my hands and playmaking ability.”
Muehlbauer is the third hockey player to sign a letter of intent.
He joins point-producing defenseman Robert Michel of Camillus, New York, who is also the top scoring defenseman in the Central Canada Hockey League, as well as prolific scorer Justin Rai, a left winger from Surrey, British Columbia, who is currently playing for the Prince George Spruce Kings in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.
Michel, like Muehlbauer, is also 6-2.
All-American Ben Hutton, who was drafted in the fifth round by the Vancouver Canucks, could decide to sign a pro contract and pass up his senior year. Hutton led the country’s defensemen in goals a year ago and also set a school record with 15.
Muehlbauer with join two other Minnesota natives on the Maine roster as left wing Will Merchant is from Eagan and defenseman Eric Schurhamer is from St. Paul.