MESN - Black Bears Joey Diamond named HEPOTW

University of Maine junior forward Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) was named the Athletic Republic Hockey East Player of the Week on Monday. It is the second week in a row that a Black Bears earned the honor, as Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) was honored last week. Diamond led the Black Bears to a pair of wins on the week.

Diamond scored three goals and added two assists as Maine swept games against Vermont and New Hampshire in the 2012 Sun Life Frozen Fenway. On Wednesday against Vermont, Diamond scored the game-winning goal at 13:25 of the second period on the power play. He also assisted on Brian Flynn's (Lynnfield, Mass.) game-winning goal.

On Saturday, Diamond had a pair of power play goals in Maine's 5-4 win over New Hampshire at Fenway Park. He then had a shot that Brian Flynn tipped past UNH goalie Casey DeSmith for the game-winning goal in overtime.

Diamond leads the team in goals with 14 and has 10 assists for 24 points. He is tied for the team-lead in power play goals with seven and has one game-winner.

In addition, Maine was named the Hockey East Co-Team of the Week with UMass.

Diamond and the Black Bears return to action on Friday, Jan. 13 when they travel to Merrimack for a battle with the Warriors. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM on Friday and 5 PM on Saturday.

-University of Maine-

Portland Pirates Affiliate Announcement (Full audio)

The Maine Sports Network was LIVE at the Cumberland County Civic Center for the Portland Pirates announcement of its new NHL affiliation with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Listen to Brian Petrovek's  full press conference below:



Listen to Phoenix Coyotes full welcoming press conference. VP and GM Don Maloney, along with VP and Assistant GM Brad Treliving talked to the Portland media.

Maine Voted 2nd in Hockey East Pre-Season Coaches Poll

MEDIA DAY COVERAGE PRESENTED BY THE LAW OFFICES OF GARY PROLMAN

PHOTO BY JEFF SCHOOLS

Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna released the 2010 men's preseason coaches poll on Wednesday afternoon, which was announced at the league's annual media day in the Legends Club at the TD Garden.

The Boston College Eagles, the defending NCAA Champions, are the unanimous pick to win the Hockey East crown in 2011 according to the league's 10 head coaches. The Eagles earned nine first-place votes with a total of 90 points. The Eagles, who won their league record ninth Hockey East Tournament title in March of 2010, have 17 letterwinners returning from that squad, which includes 79% of the team offense. Forwards Cam Atkinson and Brian Gibbons along with starting goaltender John Muse will give the Eagles the neccessary tools to make another run for an NCAA title at the Heights this season. Atkinson led the nation with 30 goals last season, while Gibbons posted a career-high 50 points.