Justin Poirier has always been a goal scorer as evidenced by the fact he led the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockley League in goals with 51 during the 2023-24 season with Baie-Comeau Drakkar and he was fourth with 43 a year ago.
And the University of Maine’s freshman left wing hasn’t missed a beat so far this season as he scored his ninth goal in nine games in Thursday night’s 6-2 win at UMass.
The Hockey East Rookie of the Month entered Friday night’s series finale at UMass on a five-game points streak (six goals, three assist) and goals streak.
The fifth round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes (156th overall) has registered at least a point in eight of UMaine’s first nine games. The only game he didn’t register a point was the 4-0 loss at Quinnipiac.
He went into the Friday game as the co-points leader in Hockey East along with UMass junior left winger Jack Musa with 14 points apiece.
Poirier had nine points and five assists through nine games and his 1.56 points per game is tops among the nation’s freshmen as is his one goal per game average.
He leads the Black Bears in points, goals, power play goals (three) and shots on goal with 36.
UMaine head coach Ben Barr said it’s “incredible” having a freshman score nine goals in his first nine games.
“He has been a big-time producer everywhere he has been,” Barr said. “And he keeps getting a little better every day.”
The 5-foot-8, 185-pound native of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec has significantly improved his work ethic, according to Barr, and he has been very coachable.
“He’s a great kid. And he has no ego, which is good,” said Barr. “He wants to get better.”
The 19-year-old Poirier is also responsible, defensively. He is plus-four in plus-minus and has blocked five shots.
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.
