Will O’Neill

Classroom

O’Neill has a 3.02 grade point average majoring in mass communication. He is pursuing a minor in child development and family relations. During his career at Maine, he has been named a Maine Scholar-Athlete Award winner, named to the Hockey East Academic Honor Roll and has also earned a spot on the Dean’s List.

Character

O’Neill is a person of strong character. He has been selected captain by his teammates for the 2011-2012 season. During his junior season, O’Neill missed eight games with a leg injury late in the first semester. Despite not being able to play, O’Neill supported the team any way that he could while being sidelined. It is easy to do interviews with numerous media following a win,  but O’Neill will come out and talk to reporters for as long as needed even following a gut-wrenching loss.

Community

O’Neill is extremely active in the Orono community. He has taken a leading role in both an anti-tobacco campaign and an anti-domestic violence campaign. He is featured in commercials, video board ads and print ads encouraging youth to remain tobacco free. He has competed at the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure and the Blue on Blue softball game to benefit Special Olympics. O’Neill also volunteers at a local elementary school, at several Skate with the Bears each year, and at various youth hockey camps and clinics. He has also participated in an athletes for sexual responsibility campaign.

Competition

O’Neill is as fierce a competitor as Maine has had in recent memory. If there was ever an athlete who gave more than 100 percent, it is him. During the 2010-2011 season, he led all Maine defensemen in scoring with four goals and 17 assists for 21 points, despite missing eight games with a leg injury. He earned Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week honors on Jan. 3, 2011. As a junior, he was named to the Hockey East All-Tournament Team. He is a draft choice of the Atlanta Thrashers.