The University of Maine men’s hockey program has had players from several European countries, including Sweden, Finland, Scotland, England, Austria, Switzerland and Slovakia.
The program just landed its first player from Denmark.
Winger Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup from Charlottenlund, Denmark, who is playing for the Selects Academy 16-under team at South Kent School in Connecticut, has verbally committed to attend Maine beginning in 2017. He will be a scholarship player.
The 6-foot, 183-pound Schmidt-Svejstrup has 15 goals and 6 assists in 10 games including 8 & 4 over the last five.
The Danish Under-16 national team player had 17 & 19 in 28 games for the Selects 16-under squad a year ago.
“He’s our leading goal scorer. He has a pro shot,” said Selects Academy 16-under coach Devin Rask, a former Providence College standout. “He competes. He has good ice vision, and he knows what he wants. He just needs to work on his footspeed.”
Rask said Schmidt-Svejstrup will play for the Selects Academy 18-under team next year and will then play a year in Junior hockey before going to Maine.
“I really liked the school,” said Schmidt-Svejstrup, who will turn 17 on Jan. 14. “I’d really like to play in the Alfond Arena. It’s the perfect size school for me. It’s not too big.”
He said he also impressed with the coaching staff and their coaching style.
“I’m playing for a very good coach in coach Rask, and I feel Maine’s staff coaches the same way,” Schmidt-Svejstrup said.
He also noted Maine head coach Red Gendron and associate head coach Jay Leach coached in the National Hockey League and assistant coach Ben Guite played in the NHL.
He said he is really excited about going to Maine.
“It’s the perfect fit for me,” Schmidt-Svejstrup said.
He agreed with Rask, in that his speed is the main thing he needs to develop, and he intends to do so.
He also was recruited by Quinnipiac, Penn State and New Hampshire. He said another factor in his decision was the fact Maine has a healthy rivalry with UNH.
“Maine and New Hampshire is one of the best rivalries in college hockey, and it makes it a lot of fun when you have such a big rival,” Schmidt-Svejstrup said.
His participation at Maine will be contingent upon his admission to the school and meeting NCAA eligibility requirements.