It didn’t take long for word of the Lewiston Maineiacs’ demise to reach the corners of the continent.

Sheldon Wenzel, an original Lewiston Maineiacs forward and one of the fans’ all-time favorite skaters, quickly got in touch with his former billet family as they announced their knowledge of the news via Facebook.

“We all appreciate everything all you billets did,” Wenzel wrote. “It’s never easy bringing unknown kids into your homes and everyone did a great job there. Big, big thanks to you … It was a great two years of my life, and I will never forget you guys and all the friends I made down there!”

Now in Calgary, Alberta, Wenzel is no longer playing hockey full time.

Los Angeles Kings’ goalie Jonathan Bernier is.

Another of the Maineiacs’ more popular alumni, Bernier backstopped the squad on its 16-1 run through the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs in 2007 and into the Memorial Cup in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Told of the news shortly after it broke, Bernier’s jaw dropped.

“Wow,” Bernier said with obvious disbelief. “That’s amazing. That’s bad; that’s really bad. I’m kind of shocked. It was a great junior career I had there. I was actually really happy to not get traded, especially when I came back from the NHL. Obviously we had some great years, winning the President Cup and going to the Memorial Cup.”

More than anything, Bernier said, the way he was treated — by the organization and by his billet family — were instrumental in his fond memories.

“I thought, when I played there, everyone did a great job in the organization, the coaches and everyone, to put together a great team, great billet families,” Bernier said. “Especially when you’re in juniors, one of the most important things is having good families, and for me that was really special. They helped me to grow as a man, and probably helped me be the player and person I am right now.”

And who he is right now is special. He was the fourth Lewiston player to participate in an NHL regular-season contest, and one of three currently with regular duties in the NHL (along with Jaroslav Halak and David Perron, both of St. Louis).

Even with his elevated professional status and numerous commitments as a professional athlete, Bernier said he’s always considered Lewiston another home, and he’s always made time to come back, even for a short while.

“I always come down every summer to see my billet family,” Bernier said. “I played there for four years almost. You meet a lot of people, and it’s important to keep in contact with them and I’ll keep coming back to the ‘small L-A.’”