The University of Maine men’s hockey team has landed a 6-foot-5 goalie for next season.
Rob McGovern, who will be 20 on March 24, has verbally committed to attend Maine.
He played for the Bay State Breakers of the United States Premier Hockey League this season and posted a 13-8 record, a 2.35 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage.
His save percentage was second best in the league.
He played at Thayer Academy in Braintree, Massachusetts, two years ago and had a 2.44 GAA and a .910 save percentage.
Last year, McGovern was listed as the 25th best draft-eligible North American goalie on the midterm report by NHL’s Central Scouting bureau.
The 230-pound McGovern also was the starting right offensive tackle on the football team before deciding to stick to hockey.
McGovern was actively recruited by UConn, UMass, Providence and Holy Cross. Quinnipiac and Notre Dame had talked to him, too.
He said he will pay his own way the first year and hopes to earn scholarship money for the following years based on his progress.
“I thought it would be a good fit for me,” said McGovern, a native of Weymouth, Massachusetts. “When I went up there and visited, I loved it. I loved the atmosphere and the coaching staff and all the kids on the team.”
The goaltending has been inconsistent this season with redshirt junior Matt Morris and freshman Sean Romeo. The Black Bears are ranked 50th among 59 teams in Division I in both GAA (3.23) and save percentage (.898).
McGovern said the fact he can come in and compete for playing time right away was another factor in his decision.
McGovern said he learned a great deal from Breakers goalie coach Kyle Robertson this season and hopes to apply what he learned in Orono next fall.
“The Breakers have had a good tradition preparing goalies for the college level,” he said. “I really improved on some of the technical aspects of my game, but I still definitely need to work on the technical aspect of my game.
“My stickwork is pretty good, but it has to get a lot better,” he added.
McGovern coming to Maine is contingent upon his being admitted into the school and meeting NCAA eligibility requirements.