University of Maine Athletics

The 1993 Men's Ice Hockey team has been referred to on numerous occasions as the "Greatest College Hockey Team" in the history of the sport. The Black Bears, who finished the season with an incredible 42-1-2 mark, captured UMaine's first National Championship after defeating Lake Superior State by a score of 5-4. Maine's offensive numbers from 1993 still hold true in the NCAA record books as the Black Bears set NCAA all-time records for goals (292, 6.49 per game); assists (481 - 10.69 per game) and points (773 - 17.18 per game). Several individual stars shined throughout the season, highlighted by freshman Paul Kariya who earned the Hobey Baker award, presented to the top player in Division I men's ice hockey. Kariya, who recorded 25 goals and 75 assists for 100 points, earned both the Hockey East's rookie and player of the year honors. Jim Montgomery, Maine's captain in 1993, joined Kariya as a Hobey Baker finalist and also earned NCAA Tournament most valuable player honors. Chris Imes, Dave LaCouture and Dan Murphy represented the Black Bears as alternate captains. Between the pipes, Maine featured All-American Mike Dunham and future 13-year National Hockey League (NHL) veteran, Garth Snow. Individually, the team was made up of five All-Americans and had a total of eight players who went on to enjoy careers in the NHL. The legendary Shawn Walsh served as Maine's head coach and was assisted by future UMaine head coach, Red Gendron. Walsh earned Hockey East Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Black Bears to a 30-0-2 start, Hockey East regular season and tournament titles and ultimately, the first National Championship in UMaine history.