LEWISTON — Defense and goaltending have helped the Maine Nordiques to a strong start to the North American Hockey League season.

The defense and goaltending have been helped by players who’ve verbally committed to play at NCAA Division I schools following their junior hockey careers.

The Nordiques (13-7-2) lead the East Division and are fifth in the North American Hockey League. They also have five players who’ve committed to Division I college programs, including No. 1 goalie Carter Richardson, who’s committed to play at Lake Superior State.

Richardson, who returned to the Nordiques after he was unable to secure a spot with a United States Hockey League team, is 8-4-0 with a 2.77 goals-against-average and .918 save percentage.

“We have great goaltending with Carter Richardson coming back and not getting an opportunity in the (USHL), which is a shame, but it’s also a blessing for us,” Maine Nordiques Coach Nick Skerlick said.

Defensemen Wade Weil and James “Ace” Bond have committed to play at the University of Maine. After seeing limited ice time during the 2023-204 season — Weil played in five games and Bond played in 17 — both are getting regular minutes through the first 13 games this season, with two assists.

Nordiques forward Ethan Wongus is heading to the nation’s newest Division I program, Tennessee State University, which is the first historically Black college or university to offer varsity hockey at the NCAA Division I level.

Weil is originally from Alaska before spending time in New York. He now lives in Hampden and said he’s looking forward to playing college hockey in Orono.

“I had talked to them like a year and a half ago, and then I suffered two herniated discs, so that kind of stopped,” Weil said. “But when I moved out there, it was kind of like a dream situation, a dream school for me, and because of the good start this year, it kind of all fell into place and made it happen.”

Bond added that he felt a connection with the UMaine Coach Ben Barr and his coaching staff, particularly assistant coach Eric Soltys, who was the Maine Nordiques general manager from 2019 to 2023.

“Eric Soltys has really helped that decision,” Bond said. “He’s a great guy, he talks to me a lot, and he made the decision very easily, as well as Ben Barr just being a great head coach and the shift he’s made in UMaine this last couple of seasons of him being there and how good they’ve gotten.”

“It’s pretty exciting and cool to be able to get the opportunity to do something like that,” Wongus said. “And I just want to keep working hard and hopefully be able to make an impact wherever.”

The 20-year-old leads the team with eight goals and 18 assists in 22 games. The Nordiques acquired Wongus in the offseason from the New Jersey Titans.

“I really wanted to come in and try and make an impact as early as possible, and just work really hard and try and help the team,” Wongus said.

The Nordiques’ other Division I commitment, Kellen Murphy (Army), is injured and has yet to play this season.

Nordiques forwards Zion Green and Michael Stenburg were once committed to Division I programs, but are now looking for new homes. Green previously committed to Northern Michigan, and Stenberg, who was once drafted by the Twin City Thunder, had committed to play at Penn State and Providence during his career.

Green, a captain, has four goals and 23 assists in 22 games this season. He said his focus is on the Nordiques and the 2024-25 season.

“Just winning games and, you know, winning a championship; I mean, that’s the biggest thing, and, you know, the personal accolades will all come with that,” Green said.

Skerlick said the team may not have as many Division I commitments as past seasons — the Nordiques had 11 last season — but that it will still be competitive.

“The team buy-in to defense is special,” he said. “I will say that our group this year is not as skilled. It may not have as many commitments, but it is on pace to have more wins.”

Maine went 37-17-6 last season and finished second in the East Division behind the Maryland Black Bears.