Coming to a new team as a transfer can be challenging.
Not only do you have to adjust to a new coaching staff and set of teammates, you also have to adapt to a new school and community.
The five first-year transfers for University of Maine’s hockey team have not only made a seamless transition this season, they had a positive impact from day one and have played an important role in the team’s success so far.
“They have meant a lot,” said UMaine head coach Ben Barr. “They have all been real solid players for us and they’re all really good kids.”
The five transfers are senior left wing Taylor Makar, graduate student right wing Ross Mitton, sophomore defenseman Frank Djurasevic, sophomore right wing Charlie Russell and junior left wing Owen Fowler.
“The one thing you don’t know with transfers is will they fit into the group and they’ve all been awesome,” Barr added.
UMaine is 22-7-6 and is ranked fourth in both major national polls and sits third in the Pairwise Rankings that emulate the NCAA Tournament selection process. The Black Bears have already assured themselves of the program’s second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.
They finished second in Hockey East with a 13-5-6 conference record and they will take on ninth seed Northeastern in Thursday’s 7 p.m. Hockey East semifinal at the TD Garden in Boston.
Senior left wing and UMass transfer Makar is the team’s second-leading point-producer and goal scorer with 28 points on 16 goals and 12 assists in 35 games. He leads the team in game-winning goals with six and is tied for sixth in the country in that category. He also has three game-winning assists.
He is tied for the team lead in shorthanded goals with two and is second in plus-minus at plus-21.
Players receive a plus-one if their team scores an even-strength or shorthanded goal and a minus-one if the opponent scores one.
Sophomore defenseman and Merrimack College transfer Djurasevic is tied for third on the team in scoring with 27 points on seven goals and a team-high 20 assists in 35 contests. He is second on the team in blocked shots with 45 and is plus-16. The reigning Hockey East Defender of the Week has two power play goals, a shorthanded goal and a game-winner.
Sophomore right wing Russell, who transferred from Clarkson, is the team’s fifth-leading scorer with 24 points on seven goals and 17 assists in 32 games. He is third on the team in assists and has two game-winning goals and a power play goal. He is plus-nine.
Junior left wing Fowler, a UMass Lowell transfer, is tied for eighth in scoring with 18 points on eight goals and 10 assists in 35 games. He is tied with Harrison Scott for most blocked shots by a forward with 28. He has two shorthanded goals, a power play goal and a game-winner and is plus-four.
Graduate student right wing and Colgate transfer Mitton has four goals and seven assists for 11 points in 29 games. He scored a goal in Saturday’s 7-1 Hockey East quarterfinal round victory over UMass Lowell after missing the previous five games with a knee injury. He has a power play goal, a game-winner, is plus-12 and is third among forwards in blocked shots with 24.
The players said the atmosphere at sold out Alfond Arena for their first home playoff game is something they will never forget.
“I was on the goal line before the game and I had goose bumps,” said Djurasevic. “The building was shaking. We have the best crowd in college hockey. It’s such a privilege to play in front of them. Our fans are so special and the way we played that night was inspiring.”
Russell said it was the loudest building he’s ever been in and the atmosphere at Alfond Arena on game nights is even better than he thought it would be.
“I was like, ‘Wow, this is playoff hockey in the Alfond,” said Russell.
Mitton called it a “really cool” experience, noting that the Arena was still sold out despite it being spring break for students.
“It’s nice having the whole state behind us,” said Mitton.
Russell, Fowler, Djurasevic and Makar have had the best seasons of their careers and Mitton’s plus-minus is far better than his four seasons at Colgate, during which he was a combined minus-15.
They all log a lot of minutes including special teams duty.
“They have been unbelievable,” said senior defenseman and co-captain David Breazeale. “They brought a ton of experience and for them to come in and contribute like they have has been a huge turning point for us.”
The transfers said it has been a memorable year for them so far.
“It’s been great,” said Djurasevic. “It has exceeded all my dreams and hopes. We have a great team, we’ve had a great year and there is still a lot of hockey left.”
Russell said it has been “awesome” being part of a winning program with great teammates and great coaches.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything better,” said Russell. “We’re playing at the best part of the year with the Hockey East playoffs and then the national tournament.”
Fowler had a similar message.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything more but, obviously, we aren’t done yet,” said Fowler. “It has definitely been a special season. When I came here and saw the people who were here as well as the incoming [players], I knew it was going to be a special group.”
The players also said the culture and regimen is conducive to consistent improvement.
“I feel like we’ve all developed at a really good pace,” said Makar. “We’ve learned so much this year through the coaches and the team.”
He said it’s been a good step for all the transfers.
“It doesn’t even feel like we transferred this year, it’s like we’re all one big team and we want to keep pushing forward,” Makar added.
The experience at UMaine has given the players a foundation to get better.
“They have really pushed me to play a more consistent game and feel I have been,” said Mitton. “It has been fun. It’s been special.”
“My habits and details have gotten a lot better and I’ve gotten better on the offensive side of the puck,” said Russell. “I’ve had a pretty good season but there is a lot to build on going forward.”
The transfers said having six weeks together during the summer at the optional workouts on campus was valuable.
“We were able to acclimate right away,” said Mitton. “It’s a credit to the leaders. They have a certain type of culture here. They welcomed me with open arms.”
Djurasevic said getting to bond while training and living together during the summer enables the players to get closer and “really made for a great year.”
Fowler said they take pride in their hard work as they come together as a team and push toward the ultimate goal of an NCAA title.
“They came here to win,” Barr said about the transfer players. “They want these opportunities this time of year provides and they’ve earned it. They felt, culturally, it was the right place for them.”
