Recruiting: Another Shea for Maine

Marshfield High School sophomore Neil Shea has joined his brother Pat in committing to play college hockey at the University of Maine. He stood out to Maine assistant coach Ben Guite the past few months at the Chowder Cup Pre-Draft and at the recently completed River Rats Jamboree.

The junior-to-be is a '99 who plays split-season midget hockey for the perennially strong Neponset Valley River Rats 16U. The left-shot forward is a pesky player who isn't afraid to go into the dirty areas to win battles for loose pucks. He's a good skater with a quick release.

While he doesn't possess the same offensive skills as his two older brothers at the same age, there is a lot to like about his game and he might be a more well-rounded player than either Brandon or Pat. The biggest difference in his game recently has been the development in how assertive he is. He appears to be gaining confidence and playing with more purpose, with and without the puck.

Older brother Brandon, a '95, was a former BC commit who will play for the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) after bouncing around the QMJHL the past few seasons. Fellow Maine recruit Pat, a '97, was selected in the seventh round by the Florida Panthers in this past June's NHL Draft. His father, Neil, Sr., is a scout for the Colorado Avalanche.

Shea is expected to matriculate to the University of Maine for the 2017-18 season, but could potentially be pushed back a year to 2018.

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Jeff Cox covers college, junior, high school and prep hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects. Follow him on Twitter @JeffCoxSports.