Maine defenseman Antonacci makes NCAA DI commitment

The Maine Nordiques of the NAHL are proud to announce that defenseman Luke Antonacci has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for University of Maine.

Antonacci, 18, a staple on the Nordiques blue line, recorded 24 points (5 goals, 19 assists) in 54 games during the 2020-21 regular season. He also put up four points in 10 Robertson Cup Playoff games, helping the Nordiques to the East Division title and a spot in the Robertson Cup Championship. Both of Antonacci’s goals in the playoffs were critical game winning goals, including one late against the New Jersey Titans to give Maine a 3-2 win.

Head Coach of the Nordiques, Nolan Howe, has coached Luke since 2013. “I couldn’t be prouder of Luke and his commitment. Luke’s tremendous hockey IQ, skills and competitiveness will be a huge asset for the University of Maine and also for Luke’s next phase of development. Maine is getting a world class person,” said Howe.

Antonacci made his NAHL debut with the Nordiques during the 2019-20 season, where he recorded four points in 21 games. Overall in his two-year NAHL career, he has recorded 28 points in 75 games played.

Antonacci was recruited to be a Black Bear for the 2022-23 season by new Head Coach, Ben Barr, who took the reigns on May 12th, 2021. Coach Barr spent the last five years as the associate HC, defensive coach and recruiting coordinator of the 2021 NCAA National Champions Massachusetts Minutemen, and their 2019 run to a NCAA title game appearance, bringing to three the number of national championship teams (Union, 2014; Providence 2015) for which Coach Barr was involved as an AC and player recruiter. Over his career Coach Barr has mentored and recruited 26 players who went on to play in the NHL, including having coached most recently the likes of defensemen Cale Makar, Zach Jones and Mario Ferraro.  UMaine has won 2 National championships, had 3 runner-up title games, and 11 frozen four appearances (1988-2007).

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list