UMaine hockey's Josh Nadeau has 8-point weekend in big lift

Junior right wing's hat trick and 5 goals help struggling Black Bears ahead of key Northeastern series

Feb. 25, 2026 at 9:39pm

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University of Maine junior right wing Josh Nadeau had a breakout 8-point weekend against Merrimack, including a hat trick and 5 goals, after going scoreless in his previous 6 games. Nadeau's resurgence comes at a crucial time for the 16-12-3 Black Bears, who will face Northeastern in a two-game set this weekend as they look to solidify their playoff positioning in Hockey East.

Why it matters

Nadeau had been UMaine's second-leading scorer his freshman season and third-leading scorer last year, so his recent scoring drought was concerning for the Black Bears, who had struggled to score goals in 6 of their previous 8 games. Nadeau's big weekend should provide a much-needed boost for the team as they take on a Northeastern squad also fighting for playoff positioning in Hockey East.

The details

Nadeau registered his third career hat trick and second of the season in Friday's 5-3 win, then added 2 goals and 2 assists in Saturday's 5-2 triumph. He was named the Hockey East Player of the Week. Nadeau, who missed 3 games due to illness, now has 15 goals and 10 assists in 26 games this season, and 99 points in 100 career games at UMaine.

  • On Friday, Nadeau had a hat trick and an assist in UMaine's 5-3 win.
  • On Saturday, Nadeau scored 2 goals and had 2 assists in UMaine's 5-2 victory.

The players

Josh Nadeau

A junior right wing for the University of Maine hockey team who had a breakout 8-point weekend against Merrimack, including a hat trick and 5 goals.

Bradly Nadeau

Josh Nadeau's younger brother, who was the team's leading scorer his freshman season before signing with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Justin Poirier

A freshman left wing for UMaine who leads the team with 18 goals but has missed the last 4 games due to injury.

Owen Fowler

A senior left wing for UMaine who said Nadeau's breakout weekend is "huge" and that he's "getting hot at the right time down the stretch."

Frank Djurasevic

A junior defenseman and assistant captain for UMaine who played with Nadeau for 2 years on the Penticton Vees junior team, and said Nadeau is a "special player" who "sees the ice different than everyone else in a really good way."

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What they’re saying

“My game feels real good right now. I was able to clear my head. The break really helped me mentally and physically. I was ready to get back playing and it showed last weekend.”

— Josh Nadeau

“It's huge. He's getting hot at the right time down the stretch.”

— Owen Fowler, Senior left wing

“That's big. I've been playing with Josh for a long time going back to juniors. He is a special player. He has a lot of skill. He sees the ice different than everyone else in a really good way. Seeing him get going is kind of a kick in the butt for everyone else, especially all the skilled guys on our team.”

— Frank Djurasevic, Junior defenseman and assistant captain

What’s next

The Black Bears will take on Northeastern (15-15-1, 10-11) in a two-game set this weekend, with Friday's game in Portland and Saturday's game in Lowell, Massachusetts. Puck drops are at 7 p.m. each night.

The takeaway

Nadeau's breakout performance comes at a crucial time for the Black Bears as they look to solidify their playoff positioning in Hockey East. His resurgence should provide a much-needed boost for the team's offense as they face a tough Northeastern squad in a pivotal weekend series.