Lynden Breen is back on the ice for the University of Maine Black Bears. And he could bring some much-needed offensive firepower with him.
The graduate student and team co-captain participated on Tuesday in his first practice since suffering a broken fibula during a Nov. 30 game in New York against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Breen was taken to a local hospital that night and eventually had surgery. The hope, as of a few weeks ago, was for him to be able to return sometime in February. This first practice is just one step in that recovery, but it indicates that a return to game action is on the horizon.
“It’s no longer a matter of if, it’s when. That’s a positive for me,” Breen said after practice Tuesday evening. “It could be next weekend, it could be in a couple of weekends. We really don’t know when it’s going to be. We’re taking it day by day.”
Getting Breen back could be a significant boost for fifth-ranked UMaine, particularly on offense. The Black Bears have struggled to score since the Christmas break, producing just 24 goals over an 11 game stretch.
Breen led the team in goals in 2022-23 and ‘21-22. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound center was UMaine’s third leading point-producer last year.
Breen has 47 goals and 64 assists for 111 points in 135 career games at UMaine.
He was wearing a “no contact” vest at practice Tuesday and coach Ben Barr says Breen is unlikely to play this weekend against the University of New Hampshire. But the team’s excitement was palpable as Breen rejoined them at practice to skate and participate in drills.
“It was awesome to see,” said sophomore goalie Albin Boija. “He has been out for a while. We see him every day grinding away. It’s huge to see him back. It’s a good mental boost, for sure.”
“He’s the heart and soul of this team,” said junior defenseman Brandon Holt. “He has been here five years. He means so much to this program. He has been one of the main catalysts in turning it around.”
Barr did not completely rule out a return this weekend against UNH, saying that “Lynden will play when he’s ready.”
“He doesn’t look that far off,” added Barr.
“To see him go down was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to watch,” Holt said. “He has such a good attitude, he’s such a good leader. It’s unbelievable to see him back on the ice and, hopefully, he’ll be wearing the sweater real soon in real games.”
Breen had scored five goals through 13 games when he sustained the leg injury. He scored his first career hat trick in that same game against RPI before getting hurt. In his last three games, including the game in which he got injured, he had four goals and three assists.
“The first practice with the whole team was great,” said Breen. “I’m just finding my legs again and doing what I can to help the guys get ready for the weekend.”
UMaine heads into the weekend series against UNH with a 18-5-4 record, the program’s best over its first 27 games since the 2003-04 season. That ‘03-04 team made it to the national championship, losing to Denver.
“It feels good,” Breen added after Tuesday’s practice. “I’ve been skating for a couple of weeks now and have gotten my conditioning up pretty good. I’ve got to get in a little more contact and more live situations. Other than that, we’re moving in the right direction.”
Sophomore defenseman Frank Djurasevic said Breen has been working tirelessly to get back.
“It’s tough being away from the team like that and having to work on your own but he’s done a great job,” said Djurasevic.
BDN Sports Editor Matt Junker contributed to this report.
