Defenseman Sam Becker, who leads the Minnesota Magicians in scoring and is third among the North American Hockey League’s defensemen in points, has verbally committed to attend the University of Maine in the fall.
The 6-foot, 180-pound Becker has eight goals and 38 assists in 53 games for the Magicians. The 20-year-old Becker has two goals and 19 assists on the power play.
Prior to coming to the NAHL, Becker helped lead Minnesota high school powerhouse Hill-Murray to two state championship game appearances, racking up 11 goals and 33 assists in his final two seasons as the Pioneers went 51-10-1.
He is a native of Roseville, Minnesota, and will be one of four incoming defensemen along with Robert Michel, Keith Muehlbauer and Stephen Cochrane.
Maine will have to replace 2013-14 second team All-American Ben Hutton, who racked up 50 points in his last two seasons and decided to pass up his senior year to sign with Vancouver, and graduating Jake Rutt.
“Sam’s attitude, his skating and his ability to see the ice are his strengths,” said Magicians general manager-head coach Tom Upton. “He has run our power play all year and we have one of the best power plays in the league. He can make plays. He has a lot of hockey sense.”
Upton also said Becker is an extremely dedicated player with an impressive work ethic.
“He showed his drive and commitment in order to achieve his goal of playing Division I hockey,” said Upton. “He wanted to move on to the next level as a student and an athlete.”
Becker said he is “very excited” about coming to Maine.
“It’s a great program and I really liked the coaching staff. I liked what they had to say,” said Becker.
He won’t be a scholarship player his first season but may earn scholarship money in subsequent seasons.
Becker said he also talked to Harvard University and “a little bit” to the University of Minnesota.
“But I decided Maine would be the best fit for me,” he said.
He said he would like to put on some weight and get stronger over the summer.
“College hockey is a big boys game,” said Becker who is looking to add five to 10 pounds.
His coming to Maine is contingent upon his acceptance into Maine and meeting NCAA eligibility requirements.