ORONO, Maine — Albin Boija didn’t know what to expect when he first stepped onto the ice at Alfond Arena last season.
He had come to the United States from Sweden to play on a junior hockey team but, instead, he received an opportunity to play at the University of Maine for head coach Ben Barr when the NCAA initially denied some Latvian players from playing college hockey.
One of those players was would-be UMaine freshman Patriks Berzins.
The NCAA reversed its decision pertaining to Latvians in September but, by that time, Barr had brought in Boija to back up 2022-23 All-Hockey East second team goalie Victor Ostman.
Berzins moved on to play for the Madison Capitols in the United States Hockey League and has rejoined the Black Bears this summer.
Boija went on to win the starting job from Ostman and played a pivotal role in helping the Black Bears to a 23-12-2 record, their first Hockey East semifinal berth and NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2011-12 season.
His 2.01 goals-against average was third best in the nation among goalies at 64 Division I schools and his .916 save percentage was 19th. He had a 10-6-1 record and two shutouts, including an 18-save blanking of arch-rival New Hampshire in the Black Bears’ 5-0 Hockey East quarterfinal win.
He allowed two goals or less in 11 of his 16 starts.
He was the Hockey East Goaltender of the Week on two occasions and the Defender of the Week and Rookie of the Week once apiece.
Boija and UMaine teammates David Breazeale and Ross Mitton attended the Detroit Red Wings’ development camp this summer and Brezeale said Boija was “fantastic.”
“It was really cool to be there. It was fun. It was a great experience,” said Boija. “I did pretty well.”
Boija said he had no expectations when he arrived in Orono a year ago.
“It was kind of a blank sheet. I was very happy with how it turned out,” said Boija after a Friday workout with his teammates during UMaine’s optional six-week summer training session in Orono.
“I have to keep building on that. I have to keep going,” said Boija.
His season didn’t end the way he wanted it to. He got sick and couldn’t play in UMaine’s 3-1 loss to Cornell in the first round of the NCAA Regional in Springfield, Mass.
Ostman got the nod.
He said it was frustrating.
“But there was nothing I could do about it. That’s just how it goes sometimes,” said Boija.
He earned his first start against New Hampshire and made 18 saves in a 5-2 victory on Dec. 1 in front of a sellout crowd of 5,043.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound native of Sundsvall, Sweden said playing in front of sell-out crowds at Alfond Arena was amazing.
“That was about 5,000 more people than I was used to (playing in front of),” said Boija. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Barr said he is looking for Boija to take another step this season.
“He has it in him to become one of the best goalies in our league,” said Barr. “What he did last year was really impressive. It’s always harder the second year but I have a lot of confidence in him.”
Breazeale, the Black Bears’ co-captain, said Boija’s maturity level is far beyond his age.
Boija will turn 21 on Aug. 20.
“I expect him to do a lot of the same as last year,” said junior defenseman Brandon Holt. “He is such a driven kid. You see him in the gym every day. He is such a hard worker. When you’re around him every day, you aren’t surprised by how good he is.”
Boija is focusing on all aspects of his game this summer.
“I have to keep working, getting more fit and more agile. I have to work on my skating because that is a huge part of being a goalie,” Boija said.
Boija is looking for the Black Bears to continue their ascension to the top of the Division I hockey ranks.
“We want to keep building. Everyone knows we have high standards and we keep pushing them higher. We have a very good group here and they are all good guys as well,” said Boija. “This was my first week back and it’s been great.”
