UMaine hockey lands point-producing defenseman from Merrimack College

The University of Maine’s hockey team has landed a potential point-producing defenseman who is transferring from Hockey East rival Merrimack College.

Frank Djurasevic, the top-scoring defenseman in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League playoffs two years ago, will join four other players from the Penticton Vees on the UMaine roster in the fall. Winger Josh Nadeau, defensemen Ryan Hopkins and Grayson Arnott, and incoming freshman center Thomas Pichette are all Penticton alums.

Djurasevic, who will be a sophomore, was one of just six Merrimack Warriors to play in all 35 games this past season and he had four goals and six assists. He was third in shots on goal with 72 and in blocked shots with 43.

Two years ago, he captained the Vees to the BCHL title and was chosen their top defenseman. He had two goals and 12 assists in 17 games after notching 10 goals and 36 assists in 54 regular season games and was a finalist for the BCHL Defenseman of the Year.

In an interview, Djurasevic said he “wasn’t exactly happy” with his situation at Merrimack. Nadeau, one of his closest friends, gave him a good rundown on UMaine as the season came to an end. He also said head coach Ben Barr has done well in revamping the program.

“It seems like we should have a great team the next few years and I’m hoping to bring more success up there,” Djurasevic said.

UMaine went 23-12-2 this past season and reached the Hockey East semifinals and the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2011-12 season.

Merrimack went 13-21-1 this past season after going 23-14-1 and reaching the Hockey East championship game and NCAA Tournament two years ago.

Djurasevic was one of nine Warriors in the transfer portal, including leading scorer Matt Copponi, who transferred to Boston University.

Djurasevic said Merrimack head coach Scott Borek is a “great guy.”

He made his decision after a difficult year off the ice, including his mother’s unexpected death. He called the Merrimack coaching staff “so understanding” of his situation.

“I know some people think I’m selfish for doing this,” he said. “I’m leaving a place where I got a lot of playing time and going to a team in the same conference. But I needed a fresh start. I wanted to be around a better group of players.”

UMaine returns its entire defense corps but the Black Bears could use some offensive help from the blue line. Only Brandon Chabrier (6 goals, 16 assist) and Brandon Holt (4 and 11) had more points this past season than Djurasevic had at Merrimack as a freshman.

“I’d like to contribute on the offensive side of the puck,” said Djurasevic. “I’ve always considered myself more of a two-way defenseman but I have been able to get pucks through from the point pretty well and I’ve been working on it lately, changing the shooting angle so I can get pucks past that first layer. I also like to get up in the rush as a second-wave guy.”

UMaine co-captain David Breazeale is the only defenseman who had more shots on goal than Djurasevic with his 76 and he played in two more games.

Djurasevic hasn’t played in front of the energized sell-out crowds at UMaine’s Alfond Arena because the Black Bears played twice at Merrimack this past season.

“I’m so excited thinking about it. I’ve seen and heard a lot about it and it’s only going to be better in person,” the 22-year-old Djurasevic said.