Finish with a 42-1-2 record and a national championship, and you are bound to get some recognition. The Hockey East Association has named the 1992-93 Maine Black Bears Hockey East’s Top Team as part of the league’s 25th anniversary celebration.
The 1992-93 Black Bears were led by Paul Kariya, who tallied 100 points, earned Hockey East Player of the Year honors and won the Hobey Baker Award as well. Along with Kariya, the impressive production of Jim Montgomery (95 points) and Cal Ingraham (85 points) created a memorable offense.
“This team had all the components,” said Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna. “They scored often and with style. They had two goalies who later excelled in the National Hockey League. They had as many superstars as the rest of the league. And, of course, there was Shawn [Walsh]. Adding to their legacy was the way they won the national title. Their accomplishments will always be unique.”
That season the Black Bears, under coach Shawn Walsh, captured Maine’s first national championship by staging a 5-4 come-from-behind win over Lake Superior State in the title game. Maine finished with a league record of 22-1-1, winning both the Hockey East regular season title and the Hockey East Tournament.
