The College of Maine’s hockey program will quickly see its tenth set of brothers play collectively.
James Duerr, a center-right wing from Chicago, has verbally dedicated to attend UMaine and be part of his brother Sam, a defenseman.
They are going to be part of a listing of 9 units of brothers who have been teammates at UMaine courting again to this system’s starting within the 1977-78 season.
That listing contains the Tortorella brothers (John and Jim), the Capuanos (Jack, Dave), the Swavelys (Jon, Steven), the Hopsons (Keenan, John), the Lundins (Mike and Matt), the Heistens (Chris, Barrett), the Lundbacks (Anders, Magnus), the Mansoffs (Jason, Shawn) and the Ferraro twins (Chris, Peter).
There have been three Kariya brothers who performed at UMaine — Paul, Steve and Marty — however they by no means performed collectively.
James Duerr, who will flip 18 on Sept. 1, performed for the Chicago Mission 18-under AAA workforce this previous season the place he notched 12 objectives and 10 assists in 30 video games. He additionally performed in three video games for the Janesville Jets of the North American Hockey League and scored a purpose.
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound James Duerr will play for the Inexperienced Bay Gamblers within the prestigious United States Hockey League this season.
“I’m tremendous excited to play with my brother,” mentioned James, who has by no means been on the identical workforce with Sam. “I visited the campus just a few months in the past and I actually favored it.”
He will likely be a scholarship participant and will be part of this system as early because the 2023-24 season.
Duerr mentioned his brother advised him he actually loved taking part in for head coach Ben Barr and “that was one of many primary components” in making his determination.
Gino Cavallini, the president and hockey director for the Chicago Mission Hockey Membership, mentioned Duerr has the “prototypical” energy ahead body.
“He’s large and I’ve seen him single handedly take over video games as soon as he imposes himself,” mentioned Cavallini, who scored the game-winning purpose within the fourth additional time of the 1984 NCAA championship recreation between his Bowling Inexperienced Falcons and the College of Minnesota-Duluth.
“That’s clearly what Maine and Inexperienced Bay noticed in him,” Cavallini mentioned. “His upside is limitless. He’s going to be a troublesome participant to play in opposition to and to include.”
Duerr mentioned he must be “extra bodily” and enhance his playmaking skill.
“I additionally want to enhance my skating and capturing,” he added.
His coming to UMaine relies upon his acceptance into the college and his assembly NCAA eligibility necessities.
Sam Duerr got here to UMaine for the second semester this previous season and may have three years of eligibility remaining.
Sam Duerr had 4 assists in 10 video games earlier than sustaining an higher physique harm.
