Hebron player trying to be all he can be

Shane Hearn has always wanted to be all he can be, but didn’t expect it would happen this fast.

The senior forward at Hebron Academy is not only going to be serving his country with the Army, but he will be suiting up for the Army Black Knights men's ice hockey team in the fall of 2012.

“I didn't expect this to happen this quickly for sure,” said Hearn. “I thought it would take a couple of months. I have been talking to Army for a year-and-half now when I was first introduced to Army hockey and their coaching staff.”

Hearn will be entering his third year at Hebron Academy. Last season with the Lumberjacks, he had 15 goals and 26 assists in 32 games.

“I play at both ends of the ice,” he said. “Brad Marchand is an idol for me. He can score goals and isn't afraid to go into the corners and mix it up a little. He's small too, I am not the biggest guy, I am 5'9 and 175-180 pounds.”

Hearn couldn't thank Hebron enough in getting the opportunity with Army.

“Hebron is the best thing to happen to me,” Hearn said. “I was at (North Yarmouth Academy) and I came to Hebron as a repeat sophomore and was introduced to coach Matt Plante – who is not with the team this season — but was here the last two years. He really helped me improve my game and was a really good role model for me along with Graeme Townsend (Toronto Maple Leafs skating (coach), who I trained with all summer. He's like a second father to me.”

Hearn was also looking at a fellow Atlantic Hockey conference school during the recruiting process.

“I did talk to a few other schools and I visited (the University of Connecticut) last year, but ever since I (visited) Army and saw how nice the facilities were, and what they have to offer, I set my goals to play there.”

Hearn is also ready for what normal cadet faces on a daily basis which includes military training in addition to playing at the Division I level.

“It's definitely going to be a challenge, but that's one of the reasons why I wanted to go there,” Hearn added. “I didn't want to be an average college kid. I wanted to go there and challenge myself and be a part of the military.”

With the tenth year anniversary of September 11 recently, Shane said it wasn't the main reason why he wanted to go into the military.

“I can't say a specific event (was a deciding factor), but it did definitely had an impact,” said Hearn who calls Auburn home. “I have had always an interest in the military.”

He will be the fourth Mainer to enter Division I hockey as a freshman next year. The other three are South Portland native Jon Gillies (Northeastern), Cumberland native Brian Hart (Harvard), and Lewiston native Connor Anthoine (Vermont).

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