University of Maine sophomore center Devin Shore and sophomore defenseman Ben Hutton have been selected to the All-Hockey East first team as chosen by the league’s coaches.

They were joined on the first team by Boston College junior left wing Johnny Gaudreau, who was also chosen the league’s Most Valuable Player for the second straight year, sophomore defenseman Mike Matheson and senior right wing Kevin Hayes and UMass Lowell sophomore goalie Connor Hellebuyck.





Vermont right wing Mario Puskarich was the Rookie of the Year and BC’s Jerry York was named the coach of the year for the third time.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Shore, a native of Ajax, Ontario, led the Black Bears in scoring for the second straight year with 43 points on 14 goals and 29 assists. He led the team in assists, shots on goal (129) and shorthanded goals (3) and was tied for the lead in plus-minus with Conor Riley at plus-13.

Players earn a plus-one if they are on the ice when their team scores an even-strength or shorthanded goal and a minus-one if the other team scores one.

He had 13 power-play points (3 goals, 10 assists) and nine game-winning points (2 & 7).

Shore, who was an assistant captain and will be the captain next season, had 11 multiple-point games and registered at least one point in 25 of 35 games.

The second-round draft pick of the Dallas Stars was the sixth-leading overall scorer in Hockey East and, in league games only, he was tied for third with 26 points (8 & 18).

He is tied for 13th in the country in points per game with 1.23.

The 6-3, 200-pound Hutton, a native of Prescott, Ontario, leads the nation’s defensemen with 15 goals, which set the school single-season record. He also had 14 assists. His 15 goals were tops on the team as were his nine power-play goals. He also had three power play assists. He was plus-8.

The fifth-round draft choice of Vancouver had two game-winning goals and assisted on another game-winner. Hutton had six multiple-point games.

His nine power-play goals were second overall in Hockey East and, in just league games, his 12 goals were third among all players and his seven power-play goals were tops.

He had at least a point in 23 of 35 games and was second on the team in points and shots (119).

Maine coach Red Gendron said both players are deserving of their all-star status and Merrimack coach Mark Dennehy said they are “as good as any players in this league.”

“When all is said and done, Devin Shore will be one of the best who ever played here for a variety of reasons,” stated Gendron. “He’s obviously an exceptional player and a two-way player. He can score, he can make plays, and he can defend.

“He can be a power forward or a slick forward,” Gendron added. “He also has a huge hockey IQ. He is an exceptional leader and student.”

Dennehy called Shore “dynamic. … He has a big-time motor and a good compete level.”

Gendron said Hutton is an “extraordinary talent.

“His skillset is huge. Scoring 15 goals and setting the school record is a special thing when you consider the legacy of this program and how many great players have passed through these portals,” said Gendron. “He has a chance to be one of the best offensive-defenseman in the history of this program. He can shoot the puck, he can make plays, he gets up into the attack, and he’s terrific on the power play.”

Dennehy said Hutton is very mobile.

“He has a good stick, he shoots the puck well and isn’t afraid to jump up into the offense,” he said.