ORONO — Lewiston native Mark Anthoine made an impact on the University of Maine’s power play last year, but he is about to play a greater role on  five-on-five situations this season.

Anthoine, now a junior, scored12 goals — all but one were scored on the man advantage — and collected seven assists as a sophomore. But seniors Spencer Abbott and Brian Flynn have signed with the Maple Leafs and the Sabres, and Matt Mangene is foregoing his senior year by signing with the Flyers. That means Anthoine is expected to carry more of a workload.

“I thought Mark really emerged last year as a legitimate impact player,” said Maine coach Tim Whitehead, during the Black Bears media day Wednesday. “He was tied with teammate Joey (Diamond) with the lead in power-play goals in the country, and that’s not easy.  He wants to contribute more five-on-five. He was already playing a lot of penalty kill last year, and he’s a very complete (player) already.”

Anthoine knows more will be expected of him.

“It’s going to be a team thing all together,” said Anthoine. “We have a lot of skill and a lot of skill came in. We may not have Spencer Abbott or Brian Flynn; we have a whole good team. I think it will be every line contributing every night.

Forward Captain Joey Diamond, who tallied 25 goals and 22 assists last season, likes the speed the forwards have.

“We are fast, explosive, and strong,” said Diamond. “It’s going to be a very interesting year. Overall, I am very excited to see how everything pans out. “

Devin Shore, a second round pick of the Dallas Stars this past summer, Will Merchant, and Ryan Lomberg are three freshmen forwards who could provide offense right away.

Mike Cornell, one of the two Captains on defense, isn’t making an predictions based off the practices so far.

“I am not sure what to expect,” Mike Cornell said. “Everybody improved considerably, and I am not sure what our identity will be, but I know we will play hard.”

With the graduation of Will O’Neil and Ryan Hegarty, Cornell has faith in the Black Bears’ newcomers.

“With anything else, every team loses a lot, and last year we had a couple of guys emerge out of nowhere,” Cornell added. “We hope to do the same this year.”

One of those guys could be Jake Rutt, who played for St. Dom’s, Scarborough High School, and the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs of the Eastern Junior Hockey League, before heading to Orono will continue to grow more on defense. He will see more playing time opening up with the graduation of Will O’Neil and Ryan Hegarty. As a freshman last year, he just played in 13 games recording four assists.

“Jake is another whose role should expand this year with losing Hegarty and O’Neil, our two best defensemen last year,” Whitehead stated.  That’s some big skates to fill, and Jake is very prepared to do that.”

Rutt will do whatever the coaches ask of him.

“I like to think of myself as a two-way defenseman,” Jake Rutt said.  “Obviously if the opportunity is there, I will take it, probably it will be on the penalty kill. If coach needs me on the power play, I will fill those shoes.”

The Black Bears will have two newcomers on the roster from Maine — Bangor High School goalie Chris Howat, who was a Travis Roy finalist, will serve as the team’s practice goaltender, and defenseman Kyle Williams, who hails from Bowdoinham.

“When you get (Kyle Williams) and (Steven) Swavely, (they) are two guys with several years of junior experience,” Whitehead added. “They have been two pleasant surprises. Right away they can pick up the drills in practice and they know how to follow a game plan.”

Williams has played the last two years with the Junior Monarchs and a year with the Northern Cyclones of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League. His high school career was spent at North Yarmouth Academy from 2007-2009. 

“Practice has gone very well,” Williams said of the team’s captains’ practices. “Like I said, it’s been adjustment and I will get use to it as the season goes on.

In net, the Black Bears return two junior goaltenders — Dan Sullivan, who solidified himself as the No. 1 guy, and Marin Ouellette. The third goaltender is highly regarded freshmen Matt Morris, who played the last two years under former Black Bear forward Jim Montgomery with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League.

“I was very proud of Danny how he emerged as our No. 1 guy,” Whitehead added.  “Martin came back in tremendous shape and I know he will be pushing for ice time right away. Matt Morris is a tremendous prospect, our goaltending is really as strong as it been since Ben Bishop left in 2008.” 

Maine will open up the season on Oct. 6 against Quinnipiac at the Alfond and host an exhibition the following day against the University of New Brunswick, which include Cameron Critchlow, Antonie Houde-Caron, Chad Denny, and Travis Fullerton who all played for the Lewiston Maineiacs.