Before embarking on his own coaching career that has seen him rise to the head coaching position with the New York Islanders, Jack Capuano learned from a college hockey coaching legend.

Capuano was a member of Shawn Walsh's first recruiting class at the University of Maine, where he spent three seasons as a high-scoring defenseman and was team captain and a first-team All-American in 1987-88.

After helping the Black Bears to a Hockey East regular season title and a Frozen Four appearance that year. He went on to a successful pro career, including brief stints with the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks.

College Hockey, Inc. caught up with him before a recent game to talk about his Maine memories and how he sees college hockey preparing players for the NHL today.