Auburn, ME – The Central Maine Community College hockey team continued an exciting summer of rebuilding with the commitment of local defenseman Gage Doucette for the 2020-21 season. Doucette, who played four years at Edward Little High School, makes the leap to Central Maine after a productive year in the Twin City Thunder organization, where he tallied 3 goals and 7 assists for the clubs U-18 team and made one appearance for the Thunder's USPHL Premier club.

"It's always an exciting day when you can add a player of Gage's caliber," said third year head coach Matt Buotte of the latest incoming Mustang. "He's a local kid who we are very familiar with and very excited to integrate into our organization. He's a big, strong skater who can get involved offensively and is always someone we've regarded highly. We're excited he's going to be part of our club."

Doucette, a 6'3" left-handed defenseman, also competed for the Maine Moose U18 MEAHA team in 2019, helping the club en route to a state championship and a berth in USA Hockey's national tournament in Irvine, California. An exciting two-way defenseman, Doucette is hoping to make an immediate impact.

"As a defenseman, I want to bring a strong vision to the ice," he said. "Along with that, I like to play as an offensive player that can move the puck quickly and create scoring opportunities. I use my size and speed as an advantage to be an asset every play."

The addition of Doucette to the blue line helps to restore a Mustangs defensive corps that saw several key departures in the spring. The team is coming off a productive ACHA campaign that saw them finish 19^th in the ACHA's Atlantic region. As a local player familiar with the program since its infancy Doucette is excited to write the next chapter of his career at Central Maine.

"I chose CM because it's local and allows me the opportunity to pursue a career in trade and continue to play competitive hockey," he said. "I've been familiar with the program since it began and I think as the season progress the team gets better each year. I see a lot of potential for success in the coming seasons."

Doucette will be enrolled in the college's electromechanical technology program when classes resume in the fall.