By GARY HAWKINS

Staff Writer

Goaltender Ray Jean wants to play professional hockey, enough so that he dropped everything last week and drove eight hours straight to a tryout in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

"I was skating with my brother's team at USM (University of Southern Maine) when my agent called," Jean said. "He asked how quickly could I get out here. I drove all night."

The Gardiner Area High School and Bentley College graduate has already signed a contract with Port Huron of the International Hockey League and will attend training camp with the Michigan franchise in a couple of weeks.

But the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, with whom he's training, are part of the American Hockey League, a step up from the IHL. Jean had an AHL cup of coffee last when he signed a contract with the Portland Pirates at the end of the season. Jean never got off the bench, but he did practice and drew the attention of coaches.

"They got to take a look at me," Jean said. "Anytime more people out there get to see you, it's always going to be good."

Jean didn't play in the Penguins' first exhibition game and is unsure if he'll play at all. There are four goalies in camp, including former Edmonton Oilers goalie Ty Conklin, and the team will likely keep just two. But Jean is confident in his own ability

"I feel like my skating and my reflexes are good enough," said Jean, who set records in goals-against average and save percentage in two seasons at Bentley. "I just need to work on being patient. Getting a good read off the stick is the most important thing."

Even at Port Huron, Jean has no guarantees. The team signed three goalies to contract and only plans to keep two.

Jean, 25, earned a degree in business management at Bentley, but he's not ready for a desk job yet. He plans to pursue a hockey career for the next few years wherever it takes him.

"Obviously, I want to go as high as I can," he said. "I may try Europe."

Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com