The Maine Nordiques, who are now under new ownership- Shift Sports and Entertainment, are loaded up and ready to begin play on September 8th and 9th against the Northeast Generals at home.
Some of the Nordiques key returners are: Nick Bernardo, Kellen Murphy, Kim Hilmersson, Laurent Trepanier, J.P Steele, Seth Murch, David Helledy and Tommy Heaney in net. The Nordiques are fired up and ready to build on last season’s success with a new bench boss in Nick Skerlick. who is ready for the challenge with the team he built.
Not only do the Nordiques add key pieces in returning players, but add newcomers with previous junior hockey experience as well including players who have played in the East division before in the former Danbury Hat Trick Lucas Di Chiara on the back end, and the former Northeast General Nick Ramm. Joining them with NAHL experience is Layten Liffrig from the Anchorage Wolverines who put up solid numbers up north, and Aiden Dixon from the “dirty south” who is a gritty skilled D man from the Shreveport mudbugs. David Grosek also brings in some experience with the Aberdeen Wings on the backend.
The Nordiques will welcome back in house talent Shane Kozlina and Jack Kurrle who developed in the Nordiques 16 and 18U academy model under Nick Skerick. Grant Dietz is a homegrown talent who impressed Nick Skerlick last season and has earned his ice in the NAHL. Another player who has excelled and earned his spot in the Nordiques opening night roster is local talent Cam Charron who has eye opening puck handling skills and can shut down opponents scoring abilities with ease.
A key addition to this years team is the Nordiques HPG program which will let Nordiques 16U and 18U players practice with the Nordiques this season with the chance of earning their spot on the NAHL team.
After the Nordiques home opener they will head to Minnesota to play in the annual NAHL showcase before returning to Maine October 6th. The Nordiques will have to be warriors on the road in January as they don’t have a home game in the month. They are however, are home the entire month of February and end the season against their previous first round playoff opponents in the New Jersey Titans on April 6th
The Nordiques hope to see Nordique Nation back and in full force for the home opener this weekend!