When he’s not working in the field as a Unitil gas technician, Aaron Buzzell can usually be found out on the ice coaching the next generation of Bangor’s youth hockey players.
“I just want to see the passion kids have for it and help with their experiences, not just in hockey but also in life,” said Buzzell, a Bangor native and youth hockey coach for the Maine Junior Black Bears who played for 35 years and began coaching a few years ago when his son, now 6, took up the sport.
Buzzell’s dedication to coaching and serving the community he calls home helped inspire Unitil’s new partnership with the Maine Junior Black Bears, which provides competitive youth hockey programs for approximately 500 skaters from ages 4 to 18 in the greater Bangor region.
In addition to sponsoring a hockey team, Unitil has also formed a separate partnership with the University of Maine (UMaine) Athletics as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting youth and community engagement. The partnership includes support for UMaine football, men’s and women’s hockey, and basketball programs with a special emphasis on women’s hockey to generate greater interest and visibility for the sport in Maine.
Unitil is partnering with UMaine’s Black Bears on the “Between the Pipes” fundraising campaign as well to continue its support of the Good Shepherd Food Bank – a nonprofit that serves as Maine’s largest hunger relief organization.
For every save made by the UMaine Black Bears goalie, Unitil will donate $6 to the food bank for a total of up to $10,000 for the season.
“Unitil is excited to be partnering with UMaine Athletics and the Maine Junior Black Bears as their new seasons get underway and we’re pleased to be continuing our support of the Good Shepherd Food Bank. Through this campaign, goals scored mean meals for those in need,” said Unitil External Affairs Director Alec O’Meara. “In many ways, these partnerships aren’t just corporate, but they’re personal for our employees, particularly those in the Bangor area, and reflect our values of teamwork, community, and service.”
Good Shepherd Food Bank President Heather Paquette stressed that the financial support through the “Between the Pipes” campaign comes at a critical time for the organization.
“We are grateful to Unitil for their generosity in using their partnership with UMaine Black Bears, the ‘Between the Pipes’ campaign, and UMaine Athletics to raise funds and awareness about hunger,” Paquette said. “With hunger in Maine at the highest it’s been in nearly a decade, the support of partners like Unitil is more important than ever.”
Meanwhile, UMaine Athletics General Manager Laurie Lozier said the partnership with Unitil will help strengthen the overall experience for student athletes, fans, and the greater UMaine community. The support contributes directly to the growth of athletic programs, she said, allowing the university to create memorable game day experiences and provide meaningful opportunities for student athletes both on and off the field.
“I often see Unitil trucks around campus, and over the past few seasons, I’ve gotten to know several members of their team personally. Some are season ticket holders who regularly attend games, and it’s been great to see them not only supporting our programs but also becoming part of the game-day atmosphere. Their involvement really adds to the sense of connection and community that this partnership represents. Partnerships like this help us extend the reach of UMaine Athletics beyond campus and into communities across the state, building pride and connection that last well beyond game day,” Lozier said.
In addition to his role as a hockey coach, Buzzell is also an active board member for the Maine Junior Black Bears. He said he spends just as much time at the rink as he does at work.
“It’s a great experience watching them from when they start their season in October to November to when the season unfortunately ends in March and seeing the progress they’ve made. In the beginning they get out on the ice and fall down all the time, but then they’re able to skate around and not fall and have big smiles on their faces, it’s a great achievement for them but also as a coach, it can help,” he said.
Kelly Fowler, Unitil Municipal and Community Services Executive who is a Maine native with family ties to the region, said hockey has become a lifelong commitment for Buzzell.
“His dedication is extraordinary, and it’s wonderful to watch these young athletes develop skills that will help them grow both on and off the ice. The passion that he and so many others have for Maine athletics is really helping to build a strong foundation for the next generation of athletes,” she said.
Photo Captions:
- Teaser Image: Unitil gas technician Aaron Buzzell, a Bangor native, spends much of his time outside of work serving as a youth hockey coach for the Maine Junior Black Bears. (photo credit: Unitil)
- Top Photo: Unitil has partnered with UMaine’s Black Bears on the “Between the Pipes” fundraising campaign to support the Good Shepherd Food Bank. (photo credit: UMaine Athletics)
