By his own admission, UMaine junior defenseman Brandon Chabrier wasn’t satisfied with the first half of his season.
“There wasn’t anything physically wrong but the mental part of my game wasn’t really there for me,” Chabrier said.
“I was trying to regain my confidence from last year. But it wasn’t working. Something wasn’t clicking. I was coming off a high from last season. It was tough. I was struggling,” he said.
Chabrier came into the season off an impressive sophomore season in which he led UMaine’s defensemen in goals (6), assists (16) and points (22). He was tied for sixth on the team in points among all skaters.
So Chabrier decided to spend some time with the team’s consultant who specializes in the mental aspect of the game and it has made a significant difference.
After collecting four assists through the Black Bears’ first 15 games, Chabrier has tallied four assists over his last seven heading into this weekend’s two-game home Hockey East series against the University of Connecticut. Puck drop will be 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
UMaine is 15-4-2 overall, 7-2-2 in the conference, and is ranked fifth in the country in one national poll and tied for sixth in the other, while UConn is 11-8-1 and 6-6-1 and ranked 17th in both.
Chabrier was named the Hockey East Co-Defender of the Week following the split with sixth-ranked Denver two weekends ago. He led the conference with eight blocked shots and had assists on both goals in UMaine’s 2-1 victory over the Pioneers in the second game of the series.
His six shots on goal against Denver was tied for most by a Hockey East defenseman that weekend.
He had an assist in UMaine’s 3-1 win over UMass Lowell last Friday and was plus-two on the weekend as UMaine completed the sweep with a 2-1 win on Saturday.
Players receive a plus-one if they are on the ice when their team scores an even-strength or shorthanded goal and a minus-one if the opponent scores one.
“Luckily, we have a great mental coach and I was able to find some things that work for me,” said Chabrier, who practices nightly breathing exercises as well as game visualization and self-talking. “I have honed in on my mental skills. It was really important for me to step up my game mentally.
The self-talking focuses on being positive at all times.
The consultant prefers anonymity, according to UMaine Athletic Director Jude Killy.
“He prefers to stay in the background and focus on developing the players and the team,” said Killy.
Chabrier said he is playing with more confidence now.
“I feel better with the puck on my stick and I’ve been moving my feet more. That’s a big part of my game. That’s what I’ve really tried to dial in on the past couple games. When I’m moving my feet, I’m a good player,” Chabrier said.
“He is playing way better than he was last month,” said UMaine head coach Ben Barr. “He has been consistent. He has really stabilized our defense corps. He has been playing heavy and hard. He has been defending really well and he has simplified his game.”
Senior co-captain David Breazeale has been his defense partner of late and said Chabrier has been “dominant” out there.
“He has been using his feet and doing the things that make him a great player. It’s fun to be out on the ice with him. He is an absolute weapon when he has the puck on his stick,” Breazeale said.
“He’s a great defenseman,” said UMaine senior center and leading scorer Harrison Scott. “We saw how good he could be last year and he’s finding his stride again which is exciting.”
The Black Bears know they will have their hands full with a UConn team that, like UMaine, will bring a three-game winning streak into the series.
“They are really aggressive, fast and physical,” Barr said. “They play really hard and if you aren’t ready to match that, it can be a problem. They have been playing great. It’s going to be a really good series.”
Scott has 15 goals and 12 assists for the Black Bears and he is followed by Charlie Russell (4 & 14), Taylor Makar (6 & 10), Thomas Freel (9 & 6), Nolan Renwick (6 & 9) and Brandon Holt (2 & 13).
Sophomore goalie Albin Boija is 14-4-2 with a 1.55 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage. He has been named to the Mike Richter Watch List for the nation’s best goalie.
UConn, which leads the nation in shorthanded goals with seven, has been paced by Joey Muldowney (8 & 10), Hudson Schandor (6 & 12), Ryan Tattle (9 & 6), Jake Richard (6 & 9), Jake Percival (8 & 4) and Tabor Heaslip (5 & 7).
New Hampshire transfer Tyler Muszelik (6-4-1, 2.46, .904) and Callum Tung (4-2, 1,67, .942) man the net for Bowdoin College graduate Mike Cavanaugh’s Huskies.
UConn has won six of the last eight meetings.
