Lumberjacks Captain Commits to University of Maine

My Maine Hockey Journal Story

Press Release

The Muskegon Lumberjacks announced that forward John Parker has committed to play collegiate hockey next season at the University of Maine.

"I'm very excited," Parker said. "And I feel very prepared. It had to be a perfect situation, because I was ready to come back and captain the Jacks again. Nothing will replace the experience I had in Muskegon."

Parker recently completed his third USHL season, which was his best season offensively as he put up 31 points (9g, 22a) in 58 games for the expansion Lumberjacks. The forward assisted on the first-ever USHL goal scored for Muskegon on October 2nd. He was unanimously voted by his teammates to be the captain of the club for their inaugural season. Parker was selected by Muskegon in the 2010 USHL Expansion Draft after spending the two previous seasons with the Indiana Ice. He helped the Ice capture the Clark Cup during his rookie season of 2008-09, collecting three goals over seven playoff appearances.

The 19-year-old is a native of Greenbrook, New Jersey and has tallied 55 points (14g, 41a) in 147 career USHL games while adding eight points (4g, 4a) in 22 playoff contests.

"He did everything the right way and set the example of what it means to be a Lumberjack," said Kevin Patrick, Muskegon Lumberjacks Head Coach/GM. "He doesn't cut corners; he sets the pace. He's always first in conditioning drills. He's set a great example of how to approach this game and how to approach life. I couldn't be more proud for him to move up to the next level and become a part of Maine's storied tradition."

The University of Maine Black Bears are a member of Hockey East. Dubuque goaltender Matt Morris and Youngstown forward Stu Higgins are also committed to play hockey at the school. A total of seven USHL alumni were on the roster at Maine this past season; Mark Anthoine (Sioux Falls Stampede/Chicago Steel), Robby Dee (Omaha Lancers), Joe Diamond (Omaha Lancers), Will O'Neill (Omaha Lancers), Nick Pryor (Des Moines Buccaneers/Waterloo Black Hawks), Dan Sullivan (Omaha Lancers), and Jon Swavely (Sioux City Musketeers).

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)