Exhibition hockey game set for Saturday at 2 p.m. at PI Forum
After spending the last four winters as the starting goaltender for the Presque Isle Wildcats, Jillian Flynn is returning to the ice rink at the Forum this weekend as a member of a new team.
Flynn is joining her University of Maine Black Bears women’s hockey teammates for an exhibition match Saturday against Mt. Allison University of Sackville, New Brunswick. The game will be played at 2 p.m.
“It’s going to be an exciting experience,” said Flynn, who is the first player from the state north of Bangor ever to suit up for the UMaine team. “The level of support I got throughout my years growing up as a Wildcat was amazing and appreciated.
“I already know that the support on Saturday will be even stronger and more present. I am excited to show my teammates how great and supportive the community is that I grew up in,” she added.
The University of Maine women’s team played an exhibition in Auburn last winter and head coach Richard Reichenbach said it was a huge success. That led to conversations about moving some games to different areas of the state.
“In talking with some people about other possible venues [in the state], Presque Isle’s name came up,” Reichenbach said. “I knew about the [Presque Isle team] through watching Jillian and that there was a suitable rink and after doing some research a great place to play and provide entertainment for Maine fans. It is a chance for us to interact with another great Maine community.”
Flynn, a Caribou resident who is a freshman at the Orono-based university, serves as one of the back-up goalies behind starter Carly Jackson. The Black Bears held a 3-12-1 record entering Tuesday’s home match against Dartmouth College.
“Being part of any Div. I program would be both an honor and a privilege, but being a part of the team here at UMaine reaches a whole new level, both for myself and my teammates,” Flynn said. “It’s such a special program and team. The family atmosphere is like nothing else I’ve ever been a part of.
“Individually, I think I have improved a lot learning from the other goalies and the amazing coaches. Playing for this team has been my dream since I was a little kid and I feel so blessed to be where I am at,” she said.
Reichenbach said a decision has not been made on a starting goalie for Saturday’s match, but he did add that “we are planning on playing [Jillian].”
“Either way, whether I’m in net or not, I know my level of appreciation, joy and pride will remain the same,” Flynn said. “This game is about much more than myself returning to Presque Isle. It’s about the team getting in a beneficial exhibition game while also bringing Maine hockey to the fans who can’t make games down south.”
Flynn was a four-year starter for the Wildcat varsity squad and led PI into the Eastern Maine Class B championship game her sophomore year. She was voted to the All-Eastern Maine Class B second team as a junior and was a third-team selection this past winter.
She made the league’s all-academic team all four years of high school and was honored with Presque Isle’s Hobey Baker Award last winter. Flynn holds virtually all the goaltending records at PIHS.
“Growing up in The County gives me such amazing pride to wear the Maine jersey and represent where I came from,” Flynn said. “The team is excited to be playing in front of a huge Maine crowd — hopefully our biggest crowd yet this season.
“I can’t wait to return to where it all began,” she added.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Forum and are $10 for adults and $6 for students. The cost increases to $12 and $8 on game day. Call the Forum at 764-0491 for more information.
