Maine Hockey Roster Sees Significant Turnover

Six underclassmen from last year's University of Maine hockey team will not be back for the 2016-17 season. The roster turnover comes as Red Gendron and his staff look to finally bring winning hockey back to Orono in the regime's fourth season.

Brian Morgan, Brady Campbell, Jack Musil and Justin Rai won't be returning to the Black Bears. The four are in addition to Dan Renouf who signed with the Detroit Red Wings, forgoing his final season of eligibility, and Sean Romeo who transferred to Ohio State. Both of those departures were announced earlier in the off-season.

Morgan graduated a year early and will suit up for Mike Cavanaugh's UConn Huskies this season. Due to a rule regarding graduate transfers, Morgan is eligible to play immediately. He had six goals and one assist in 36 games last season. The Windham, NH native had 17 goals and 15 assists in 103 career games in Orono.

Campbell, who saw significantly less ice time, also graduated early and will return home to Ontario to pursue his career after playing competitive hockey.

Musil and Rai both saw limited ice time last season. Their futures are less certain, but Rai, who was a freshman in 2015-16, had dealt with concussion symptoms since junior hockey.

Gendron is bringing in nine new faces to the Black Bears' hockey program, including three NHL Draft picks. Forwards Patrick Shea and Chase Pearson and defenseman Patrick Holway were all selected in the 2015 NHL Draft. Shea went to the Florida Panthers while Pearson and Holway were pegged by the Detroit Red Wings. Forwards Jake Pappalardo, Mitch Fossier, Ryan Smith and Tim Doherty, defenseman Oliver Herner and goaltender Stephen Mundinger round out the class.