Auburn, ME– The Central Maine Community College Ice Hockey team is thrilled to announce the commitment of goaltender Noah Bird, head coach Matt Buotte has announced. Bird, a Gorham native, joins the club as a transfer from the University of Maine.
Bird joins the Mustangs crease after a whirlwind career that saw him play on both coasts and accrue accolades at all levels. Local hockey fans may remember Bird's impressive career at Gorham High School, where he backstopped the club to a 2015 SMAA Western Maine championship. While at Gorham Bird was a three-time all conference player in addition to collecting rookie goaltender of the year accolades as a freshman.
"I have a high familiarity with Noah from the youth levels and from when I coached high school," said Buotte, who is entering his third year at the helm. "Noah is a great competitor. I hated coaching against him because you just knew he had that ability to win the game on his own when he's at the top of his game. I can't wait to get him into a Mustang jersey."
After a great career at Gorham Bird first stayed locally, playing for the now defunct Portland Junior Pirates in the USPHL. From there he would join current Mustangs captain Trevor Roche in New Hampshire where they competed on the Northern Cyclones EHL Premier club.
Bird would then head south, competing in the NA3HL for the Cape Cod Islanders. Bird finished the season with a 3.63 GAA and an .896 SV% in 10 appearances. From there, Bird headed west, setting up camp in Washington state to join the WSHL's West Sound Admirals. The team struggled but Bird was steady in net, compiling an .840 SV% in 30 appearances.
From there, Bird made the decision to attend the University of Maine an did not play hockey. At the midway point of his freshman year, Bird felt a nagging to return to the ice.
"I had attended the prospect skate last summer and really liked what I saw," said Bird, who intends to study business administration. "Unfortunately I'd already committed to UMaine, but I always had the itch to go to CM. The dedication to the program is very impressive."
Bird figures to be a veteran presence on a Mustangs team that is returning nearly two thirds of its line-up that finished 21st in the ACHA's Atlantic region in 2019-20.
"I have a lot of veteran experience and I hope to set a good example for the young guys," he said. "It's the first year of my life I've taken a season off. It's definitely been relaxing but I'm ready to get back to the grind."
