The Maine Nordiques are proud to announce defenseman Luke Antonacci 11/26/2002 has committed to play D1 hockey for University of Maine!
Luke, a staple on the Nordiques blue line, recorded 28 points in 64 games this season. He led the team for entries (125) and breakouts (377) by pass, # accurate passes (1668), Corsi (233), Corsi+ (1113), takeaways (494), takeaways D-zone (348), takeaways N-Zone (114), and had 79 blocked shots (#3). League wide, Luke finish 18th in the entire NAHL in points by a defenseman!
In the Nordique’s playoff run to the NAHL Robertson Cup in Minnesota, Luke helped propel the team with two goals and two assists, capturing The East Division Title and a Final Four appearance in only our 2nd year as an organization. Both of Luke’s goals were critical game winning goals; including one late against The Titans to give us a 3-2 win.
Head Coach of the Nordiques, Nolan Howe, has coached Luke since 2013. “I couldn’t be more proud of Luke and his commitment. Luke’s tremendous hockey IQ, skills and competitiveness will be a huge asset for UMaine now under Coach Barr, and also for Luke’s next phase of development. UMaine is getting a world class person.”
Luke was recruited to be a Black Bear for the 2022-2023 season by new UMaine Head Coach, Ben Barr, who took the reigns May 12th, 2021. Coach Barr spent the last five years as the associate HC, defensive coach and recruiting coordinator of the 2021 NCAA National Champions Massachusetts Minutemen, and their 2019 run to a NCAA title game appearance, bringing to three the number of national championship teams (Union, 2014; Providence 2015) for which Coach Barr was involved as an AC and player recruiter. Over his career Coach Barr has mentored and recruited 26 players who went on to play in the NHL, including having coached most recently the likes of defensemen Cale Makar, Zach Jones and Mario Ferraro. UMaine has won 2 National championships, had 3 runner up title games, and 11 frozen four appearances (1988-2007). Go Black Bears!
Congratulations to Luke Antonacci on your D1 commitment to UMaine!
#NCAACOMMITMENT #COMMITMENTALERT #ROLLNORDS #BLACKBEARHOCKEY
