Dutchmen land potential future pro in Maier

by Ryan Fay

Taft School boys varsity hockey head coach Daniel Murphy didn't mince words when asked about the long-term potential of Cole Maier, a senior forward at Taft who recently committed to Union for the 2015-2016 season.

"I anticipate he will be a top six forward for [Union] and the type of player that could be an excellent pro hockey player," said Murphy, who played professionally in the ECHL from 1993-1996 following four years at Maine.

Maier

He said there is plenty to like about Maier, who was second on the team in scoring with 22 points (11 g, 11 a) in 23 games last season. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Maier has a goal and three assists through four contests this season, and is serving as a co-captain.

"Cole is a great competitor," Murphy said. "He has very good size, long strides and long arms which makes him very strong on the puck. He excels at puck protection and wins one-on-one puck battles all around the rink."

Like most prep players, Murphy said the 18-year-old's biggest need going forward is continuing to add strength.

"Cole just needs to continue to get physically stronger," said Murphy. "He has a great frame and is already well built. But with another 10 pounds of muscle, he will be a dominant college hockey player."

That projection may become reality sooner than later in his college career thanks to his athleticism.

"Cole is a fantastic athlete," Murphy said. "He played 'sweeper' on the school's varsity soccer team for two years and runs track. Because he is such a great all-around athlete, his development at Union should accelerate pretty quickly due to the fact that he will only have to focus his energy on his studies and hockey."

Maier, a native of Pequannock, New Jersey, will likely play a year of junior hockey next season before coming to Union in the fall of 2015.

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