Vernon Vipers Defenseman Mark Hamilton Commits to Maine

Salisbury School alum and Vernon Vipers defenseman Mark Hamilton has committed to the University of Maine. The former University of Massachusetts recruit de-committed from that school following a coaching change. Hamilton, a Winthrop, Mass. native, is a very big, rugged blue liner who will be a physical presence in Hockey East.

Hamilton played three seasons for the highly successful Salisbury School, a Connecticut prep school that plays in the New England Prep School Athletic Council. Salisbury, coached by former Union defenseman Andrew Will, won its third championship in eight years last March with Hamilton playing a key role. Hamilton also played split season midget hockey for the highly successful Neponset Valley River Rats program.

Hamilton is more of a stay-at-home, shut-down defenseman, but he has three goals in 11 games so far this season in the BCHL. A '94, he will arrive in Orono next fall.

Jeff Cox covers college and junior hockey, NCAA recruiting, NHL Draft prospects and the AHL for SBNation. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.