Auburn, ME - Central Maine Athletic Director, Dave Gonyea, announced that Barrington, NH native, Matt Henderson, has committed to attend Central Maine for the upcoming academic year. Henderson turned down an offer to play professional hockey in France in order to attend Central Maine and compete for a roster spot on the hockey team. (Playing professional hockey eliminates any student-athlete from competing at the NCAA and ACHA level.)
Head Hockey Coach, Kevin Cady, said Henderson played the 2015-2016 season in the Greater Metro Hockey League (GMHL) in suburban Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Henderson was drafted into the GMHL in 2014, a top league just below Canadian major junior, by the Kingsville Kings and traded midseason to the Parry Sound Islanders. Parry Sound, Ontario is the birthplace of Boston Bruin's great Bobby Orr. During 37 games played in the "GM" Matt potted 21 goals, 21 assists for 42 points on the year. Henderson accumulated 58 penalty minutes.
Prior to last season Henderson played from 2012-2014 for the Maine Wild based in Biddeford, Maine where he served as the assistant team captain. He also played for the Laconia Leafs in New Hampshire during the 2011-12 season. In 101 games played for the Leafs and Wild, Henderson tallied 92 combined points.
According to Coach Cady, "Matt Henderson will be a top line center and contribute significantly in the scoring and leadership departments on our team. With the addition of Henderson, along with pivot Jordy Knoren from the Netherlands, Central Maine has a solid foundation in place up the middle."
Henderson offered the following:
CM: Why did you choose CM?
Matt: I chose CM because it offered my major in Criminal Justice with great opportunities after. I also liked it because it is so close to home that will keep me close with family.
CM: What did you like most about the campus?
Matt: What I liked most about the campus is how clean and small it was. It seemed like everyone knew everyone, and the atmosphere was very positive.
CM: How do you think playing college hockey will differ from your previous experience?
Matt: I don't think it will be any different than what I have been playing. College and Juniors are very similar in some ways. You'll spend every day with the team, you'll be able to create new friendships and bonds, as well as working on chemistry on and off the ice. The only difference will be the speed of the game and the physicality.
CM: What are you most looking forward to about attending and playing hockey at CM
Matt: What I look forward to the most about attending CM is getting a start on my degree. It has been awhile since I have been in a school environment and I am very excited to start this chapter at this school. I also am looking forward to creating new friendships with the hockey team.
CM: What do you think you can bring to the team next year?
Matt: What I can bring to the team next year, is putting up points when the team needs them the most, as well as a physical presence. Hockey has been a lifestyle of mine for years, and I am very emotional about the game. I am a team player, and will do whatever it takes to help the team. My passion and drive for the game are what describe me as the player I am.
Hockey Achievements
Most Improved Player (High School) - 2009-2010
Most Honorable Mentioned (High School) - 2010-2011
DII State Champs (High School) - 2010-2011
Assistant Captain (High School) - 2011-2012
USA Selects (Sweden) - 2011 and 2012
Assistant Captain (Maine Wild) - 2014-2015
2016 Stats- GP: 37- G: 21- A: 21- P: 42- PIM-58
