By Justin Pelletier,Staff Writer

ORONO – Greg Moore isn’t lost anymore.

Not that the University of Maine senior was ever really aimlessly wandering the school’s campus looking for a lost building or class, but three years ago at hockey media day, Moore looked every bit like the true freshman he was. He was star-struck. Here he was, a Lisbon native playing for his boyhood idols, the Maine Black Bears.

“Since freshman year here, it’s been a quick three years,” said Moore. “It’s just experience. Year after year you get to know what its like and the experience on the ice. I know for me I watched my captains year in and year out and learned and watched their philosophy and tried to get as much from them as possible. I got to see what worked and what didn’t.”

Then, changing his tune after a moment of thought, he smiled.

“I guess it’s been a long three years.”

Moore will draw on those past experiences as he heads into his senior year with the Black Bears with another distinct honor. Moore, who was an MVP for St. Dom’s for two seasons and played well for the United States’ Under-18 team for another two, will captain the 2005-06 Black Bears.

“It’s fabulous to have a captain that really represents all of the things you really want your student athletes to strive for,” said Maine head coach Tim Whitehead. “He strives for perfection and he really has become an outstanding person in many ways.”

Moore is the second Maine-born player to wear a letter on his sweater at Maine. Mike McHugh of Bowdoin, who played for Maine from 1984-1988, wore an A’ as an assistant in his final two years with the team.

“That’s something I’m really proud of,” said Moore. “I was talking with my parents about that this summer, that I don’t think there’s been a Maine-born player to wear the C’ here since they’ve been competitive. Obviously I take a lot of pride in that, just because, having grown up in Maine, I basically idolized the players here and this program.”

According to Whitehead, while Moore is a solid player on the ice, his ability to lead the team in all facets of life help make him a good choice for captain.

“We all know he’s a heck of a hockey player, but he’s just a solid person all around,” said Whitehead. “He’s a good student, a good teammate and a good friend to the guys he plays with and he puts his family first and foremost, too. I’m just very respectful of what he is and I’m very proud that he’s our captain this year. I think he’s going to give us a nice boost.”

Moore had the option to follow good friend and former teammate Jimmy Howard to the professional ranks this summer, but told the New York Rangers, who hold his draft rights after a trade with Calgary, that he wanted to stay at Maine for one more year.

“I did have the option,” said Moore, “but the Rangers were really good with respecting the fact that I was going to be the captain here. They didn’t really force it on me. I had talked with them and we agreed that the best thing for me, and for Maine, was for me to stay here.”

“I think the difference for Greg is that this was an opportunity for him to lead, and I think when you look at the type of player he is, that’s a big part of what makes him successful,” added Whitehead. “He has a bright future in the game, and in life in general, and I think this is the type of experience, being the captain of your state university hockey team, that he’ll always cherish. I’m glad he elected not to turn pro, and to come back. I know he won’t regret that decision. We’re very proud of the fact that he’s that passionate about Maine hockey, as are we, and I think it’s going to be a great fit this year.”

Maine will begin its regular season schedule Friday, Oct. 7 at the Icebreaker Tournament in Colorado against Air Force, and will face Colorado College the next day. The Black Bears host two-time defending national champion Denver at Alfond Arena on Oct. 14 and 15 in their home openers.