Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard is one of seven former University of Maine players who will be on NHL rosters when the season opens Wednesday night.
The others are his Detroit teammate winger Gustav Nyquist, who had 27 goals and 27 assists in 82 games a year ago); Edmonton winger Teddy Purcell (12 & 22 in 82 games); Montreal center Brian Flynn (5 & 12 in 63 games between Buffalo and Montreal); Vancouver defenseman Ben Hutton (9 & 21 in 39 games at UMaine and 1 & 0 in four games with Utica of the AHL) and goalies Ben Bishop of Tampa Bay (40-13-5, 2.18, .921) and Scott Darling of Chicago (9-4, 1.94, .936 in 14 games).
Devin Shore, UMaine’s leading scorer last season, had two assists in three preseason games with Dallas and was sent down to Texas of the AHL. And 20-year-old Danish national team player Oliver Bjorkstrand, son of former Black Bear star Todd Bjorkstrand, was sent down to Lake Erie after notching two goals and an assist in four preseason games with Columbus.
In addition, former Black Bear and NHL goalie Garth Snow is in his eighth season as the general manager of the New York Islanders, Jack Capuano is in his fifth season as the head coach, and ex-UMainers Mike Dunham and Bob Corkum are on his coaching staff along with former Maine interim head coach and assistant Greg Cronin.
Dave Nonis, former Toronto and Vancouver general manager, is a special assignment scout with Anaheim. He also is a consultant to general manager Bob Murray.
Howard said he attended a goaltending camp at the University of Wisconsin this summer that included Bishop and Darling.
“It’s always a lot of fun seeing guys from your alma mater around the league,” he said.