The University of Maine has had some outstanding men’s NCAA hockey championship runs.
From the 1993 and 1999 teams that won the NCAA championship to the 2000 and 2004 Hockey East championships, the UMaine has had its fair share of regional and national title winners.
The 2024-25 team will be vying for a spot in the Frozen Four after beating the University of Connecticut 5-2 in Friday night’s Hockey East championship.
The Black Bears take on Penn State on Friday evening in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the first round of regional finals.
These photos show some of the players that made past wins possible, and the reactions to game-clinching goals.
Shawn Walsh looks on from behind the University of Maine bench near the end of the first period of the NCAA hockey championship game at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee on April 3, 1993. Credit: Michael York / BDN
Martin Kariya (left), Brendan Walsh, and Dan Kerluke celebrate during the final seconds of Maine’s 5-2 victory over Michigan in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinal round in 2000.
University of Maine goalie Jimmy Howard makes one of his 63 saves, this one off Massachusetts’ Garrett Summerfield, during their 2-1 triple-overtime win in the March 2004 Hockey East championship game at the Fleet Center in Boston. Maine’s Jon Jankus (23) helps out.
Niko Dimitrakos skates up the ice during the University of Maine men’s hockey team’s drive to the 1999 NCAA national championship. Credit: Monty Rand / Courtesy of UMaine Athletics
Ben Guite is pictured during the University of Maine men’s hockey 1998-1999 NCAA national championship season. Credit: Monty Rand / Courtesy of UMaine Athletics
The University of Maine men’s hockey team celebrates Marcus Gustafsson’s winning goal against New Hampshire in the 1999 NCAA national championship game. Credit: Courtesy of UMaine Athletics
A jubilant Jim Montgomery gives a hug to teammate Paul Kariya after the April 3, 1993, championship game. Assisted by Kariya, Montgomery scored three goals in the third period to put the Bears on top. Credit: Michael York / BDN
Lake Superior’s John Hendry (left) dumps Maine’s Dave LaCouture in the second period of the 1993 NCAA hockey championship game at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. Credit: Michael York / BDN
Jim Montgomery of the University of Maine scored three goals in the third period of the April 3, 1993, NCAA Division I hockey national championship game in Milwaukee as the Black Bears pulled out a 5-4 win over Lake Superior State. Montgomery was named tournament MVP. Credit: Michael York / BDN
Grasping their first NCAA championship trophy, the University of Maine Back Bear hockey team members are all smiles after a 5-4 win over Lake Superior State on April 3, 1993 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. Credit: Michael York / BDN
UMaine goalie Garth Snow, who replaced starter goalie Mike Dunham at the beginning of the third period of the 1993 NCAA championship game, celebrates a blocked shot with another teammate. Credit: Michael York / BDN
Members of the Maine hockey team celebrate their first goal against Boston University in Orono, Maine, Friday, Dec. 10, 1999. Maine won 4-2 ending an 11-game winning streak by Boston. Defenseman Peter Metcalf, who contributed to the Black Bears’ 1999 NCAA Championship win, can be seen in the foreground.
Steve Kariya and head coach Shawn Walsh hold the NCAA championship trophy after the University of Maine men’s hockey team beat New Hampshire in the 1999 title game in Anaheim, California. Credit: Courtesy of UMaine Athletics
The University of Maine men’s hockey team poses on the ice with the 1993 NCAA national championship trophy after beating Lake Superior State in Milwaukee. Credit: Courtesy UMaine Athletics
Paul Kariya poses with the Hobey Baker Memorial Award that he won in helping the University of Maine capture the 1993 NCAA hockey national championship in 1993. Credit: Courtesy of UMaine Athletics
Goaltender Mike Dunham was a key member of UMaine’s 1993 national championship hockey team. Credit: Courtesy of UMaine Athletics
A triumphant Shawn Walsh, with his son, Tyler, waves to fans at Alfond Arena in Orono after the University of Maine Black Bears returned home on April 5, 1993, after winning the national men’s hockey championship. Credit: Bob DeLong / BDN
