The University of Maine men’s hockey team continues to address its goal-scoring needs with the addition of another National Hockey League draft pick from Canada’s Major Junior ranks.
Lethbridge Hurricanes right wing Miguel Marques, a third round draft pick of the Nashville Predators in 2024 and the 87th overall pick, has verbally committed to attend the University of Maine this season.
The 19-year-old Marques missed the first part of the Western Hockey League season after undergoing surgery for a broken arm and a dislocated elbow.
But after he returned, he scored 14 goals with 24 assists in 29 regular season games and four goals and 13 assists in 16 playoff games.
During the 2023-24 season, he had 28 goals and 46 assists in 67 regular season games for Lethbridge.
He concluded his WHL career with 52 goals and 86 assists in 165 regular season games.
Marques listed several reasons for his decision to attend UMaine.
“The coaches were awesome to me,” said Marques, who was impressed with the $50 million renovations to Alfond Arena that are currently underway and its game night atmosphere.
He is looking forward to playing for head coach Ben Barr and playing with and against “older, faster guys” that will accelerate his development.
“And, obviously, the league is really good,” he added, referring to Hockey East.
The Elite Prospects 2024 NHL Draft Guide said Marques “manipulates defenders to open passing lanes and connects with backhand passes through impossible lanes. He starts passing plays and snipes with textbook curl and drag shots.”
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Marques said he is working on getting stronger and faster to make the jump to college hockey and is looking forward to coming to Orono for the optional preseason training camp this summer.
Marques is from Prince George, British Columbia, which produced former Black Bear goalie Al Loring.
The Black Bears are looking to replace players who scored 62 of the team’s 124 goals last season en route to their first Hockey East tournament title since 2004 and second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
Several of the incoming recruits played in Canada’s three Major Junior leagues.
This will be the first season players from the Western Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League will be eligible to play U.S. college hockey because they used to be considered pros in the eyes of the NCAA for receiving financial stipends.
But now that student-athletes are allowed to earn money in addition to their scholarships through Name, Image, Likeness deals and being paid directly by their schools, professionalism is now part of the NCAA landscape.
His coming to UMaine is dependent upon him being accepted into the school and meeting NCAA eligibility requirements.
