ORONO, Maine — When Nolan Vesey played his first college hockey game against Alaska-Anchorage two years ago, he was on a line with juniors Devin Shore and Steven Swavely.
He finished as the team’s fifth leading scorer (10 goals, 13 assists in 36 games).
But last year was a disappointing one for Vesey and the Black Bears. He managed only 5 & 6 in 36 games, and the University of Maine went 8-24-6.
Vesey now finds himself as the veteran on his line. He has been the left wing with two freshmen, center Chase Pearson and right wing Mitch Fossier.
That line produced six goals and five assists in last weekend’s sweep of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and it hopes to to fill up the scoresheet this weekend when 2016 NCAA runner-up Quinnipiac University, ranked No. 3 in the country, invades Alfond Arena for a two-game series.
“It’s weird. As a freshman, I was on a line with older guys and I learned from them. Now I’m in that [older guy] role now,” said Vesey.
Vesey notched four assists last weekend, Hockey East Rookie of the Week Fossier scored four goals, and Pearson had two goals and an assist.
“Not only are they great players, they’re great kids who fit right in with the team,” Vesey said. “They’re both very humble for how good they are.”
The youngsters look up to Vesey.
“He has shown us the way,” said Pearson.
“To be able to play with a guy like that, it’s big for me and Fossier.”
“He has helped us tremendously,” said Fossier. “Any time you’re on a line with an older guy who has been through it and who has experienced success at this level, it’s going to help you on the ice. His wisdom talking us through it and his ideas and stuff always help us.”
Vesey is anticipating a better season and took steps in the offseason to improve.
“I hit the gym. I got in better shape. I worked harder than I ever had last summer,” said Vesey, a sixth-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He altered his diet and worked out with Brian McDonough, a strength and conditioning coach for Edge Performance Systems in Massachusetts who has trained over 180 professional athletes.
“I’ve worked with him for four summers, and I think he’s the best in the business. I also put in the extra effort on the ice. My body fat is down, and I have more explosiveness,” said Vesey.
UMaine senior left wing and captain Cam Brown has witnessed Vesey’s growth and development.
“He was awesome last weekend. He made a lot of things happen. He was contributing every shift, and we need him to do that every weekend for us to be a successful team,” Brown said.
Vesey knows UMaine will have its hands full with the Bobcats.
“Our mindset is that they’re a good team, but we’re also good as well, and we feel like we can play with anybody in the country,” Vesey said.