Maine’s Breazeale Takes the Journey From Walk-On to Captain
by Tyler Kuehl/CHN Reporter (@TJKu29)
In today’s game, the path to college hockey usually sees young athletes go from either high school or AAA to top-tier junior hockey — such as the USHL or BCHL — before finding their name on a D-I roster.
However, Maine captain David Breazeale used the foundation set by his family when he was growing up in Grandville, Mich., and his exceptional work ethic, to become one of the leaders for college hockey’s hottest program.
Breazeale grew up with two older brothers, both of which played hockey for their father, Joel, at Grandville High School. According to his Dad, there was something about David that set him up to take his game beyond West Michigan.
“Ability-wise,” Joel said. “I don’t think there was ever doubt in my mind that he had that potential, but watching the college game, it’s not the potential, it’s the desire that that’s your end goal and you’re willing to run the gauntlet to get there … because you love it so much.”
After graduating high school, David joined the Shreveport Mudbugs of the North American Hockey League, the second-highest junior league in the U.S. He became one of the team’s leaders on and off the ice, captaining the Mudbugs to the Robertson Cup in 2021.
Despite having success, David didn’t have many full ride offers to play D-I hockey, but he did have a few scholarships available if he wanted to focus on academics. However, Maine assistant coach Jason Fortier, who had coached against David in the NAHL, picked up the phone and gave him a call.
“We had won the national championship,” David said. “I was on my way home … and [Fortier] called in June, and was like, ‘Hey, we’d love to give you an opportunity to come up here,’ and I jumped at it. How do you turn down a Hockey East opportunity? My dream was always to play Division I hockey.”
David packed his bags and moved to Orono, joining the Black Bears initially as a walk-on. However, his work ethic, along with a couple of players leaving the team after the first semester, led him receiving a scholarship. He made a significant impact right away, so much so that Barr named David an alternate captain as a sophomore, before becoming a co-captain as a junior.
The 6-foot-4…
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