As first reported by Larry Mahoney of the Bangor Daily News, Denis Collins has decided to step down as head coach of the defending Class B state title champion Old Town-Orono boys varsity hockey coach.
Collins cited travel as the biggest reason to step down, as he accepted a job in Augusta 13 months ago as a regional manager at the department of labor. The team practiced at 5:30 a.m. at the Alfond Arena in Orono, requiring Collins to be up by 4:30 a.m., and often wouldn’t get home from Augusta until 8 p.m.
Collins came to Old Town-Orono after coaching at Bangor High, and in his last season in 2011-12 won the coach of the year award in Class A when he led the Rams to a 13-5 record. The Black Bears had a 2-16 record in their first season as a cooperative team due to low numbers, but steadily progressed. Two seasons ago they went 16-3-2 and earned a spot in the Class B North title game, before compiling a 20-1 record last winter and taking home the state title.
The Black Bears return sophomore forwards Tyler McCannell (25 goals) and Sam Henderson (15 goals), along with Tanner Evans (16 goals) and Trent Lick (10 goals). Also back are defensemen Cam Tower and Dylan Street and goalie Kohle Parker. Old Town-Orono does lose Class B North player of year Jacob Dubay, along with first team defenseman Josh Wheeler as part of the exiting graduates. The freshman class for 2018-19 expects to add at least 12 players.
