UMaine men’s hockey announces signing of five players, including three NHL draft picks

ORONO, Maine — The University of Maine men’s hockey program announced the signing of five players expected to join the Black Bears for the 2016-17 season Wednesday afternoon, including three 2015 NHL draft picks.

The players who signed National Letters of Intent to join coach Red Gendron’s club during the fall signing period, which ran from Nov. 11-18, are center Chase Pearson, defenseman Patrick Holway, center Patrick Shea, left wing Mitchell Fossier and center Jake Pappalardo.

Pearson, a fifth-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings, serves as an alternate captain for the United States Hockey League’s Youngstown Phantoms.

Pearson has one goal and 12 assists for Youngstown so far this season, good for the team lead in assists and third on the squad with 13 points.

“Chase Pearson is an outstanding two-way center who plays very effectively on both sides of the puck,” Gendron said in a news release. “He is exceptional on face-offs and will provide us with size down the middle.”

Like Pearson, Holway was also drafted by Detroit, taken in the sixth round. The 6-foot-4 defenseman “is tall and highly skilled,” according to Gendron.

“His shot and the offensive flair in his game will allow him to be very effective here in Orono,” the coach said.

Shea was a seventh-round pick of the Florida Panthers who has excelled at Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire, coached by former UMaine boss Tim Whitehead.

Shea tallied 19 goals and 20 assists in 33 games for Kimball Union over the 2014-15 campaign.

“Patrick Shea possesses great speed, is highly skilled and loves to go to the net,” Gendron said. “His combination of skill and physical toughness will make him a fan favorite.”

Fossier, currently with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL, “has exceptional hockey sense,” Gendron said.

Pappalardo has tallied 44 goals and 57 assists in 64 career games for Proctor Academy in New Hampshire, and was also a member of Team Grey at the 2015 USA Hockey Select 17 National Development Camp, where he registered four goals and three assists in five games.

Gendron feels Pappalardo will give the Bears a scoring punch.

“There is no doubt in my mind that his overall sense and his instincts around the net will lead to an outstanding offensive career,” said Gendron.

The eligibility of all student-athletes is contingent upon admission to the University of Maine and compliance with all NCAA rules, including registration with the NCAA Clearinghouse.