enlarge Courtesy Rochester Americans

Matt Duffy signed a contract three days after UMaine’s season ended in March. After a quick stop in the ECHL, he moved on to Rochester, where he has four points in three games.

Matt Duffy doesn't hesitate to think pink. At least not when it comes to talking about his first few days in the American Hockey League. In fact, pink was the primary color the night the former University of Maine defenseman scored his first American Hockey League goal.

The Rochester Americans played Lake Erie on March 27, a night that raised money for breast cancer awareness and research. Duffy's jersey was pink and the ice at Blue Cross Arena, home of the Americans, was a shade of pink that made it difficult for players to distinguish the lines.

But when he saw a black puck, Duffy knew what to do.

Shoot.

"In the second period, the coaches put me on the power play," said Duffy, who scored on a wrist shot from the point. "Right away I scored, and then I was playing every other shift, getting out there on the power play and on the penalty kill."

In less than a week's time, Duffy, a Windham resident, went from college to professional hockey.

He has a goal and three assists in three games with the Amerks, who play tonight against the Binghamton Senators.

Playing on a young, low-scoring team, Duffy said that the emphasis at Maine was to play defense first.

But the Rochester coaching staff urged Duffy, as it does other players, to jump into the offense.

"It's a little different than college," said Duffy, who scored 21 goals and 22 assists in 136 games at Maine. "It's a lot more positional. The guys are a lot older and a lot better and can handle and shoot the puck. I can just make a pass and they're going to shoot. Here, the coaches want us to jump into the play but also play defense, and I still have an opportunity to score."

Duffy signed an amateur tryout contract and reported to Rochester on March 18, three days after Maine's season ended. After he arrived in Rochester, he was assigned to Florida's ECHL team, the Florida Everblades, for two games in Charlotte, N.C. He joined the Amerks on March 25.

"We talked about it as a group and (management) felt it was the best way to help Matt make the step to the AHL," Rochester General Manager Jody Gage said. "It's one of the biggest steps in hockey, going from college or juniors to the AHL, and even the ECHL is a step higher from college, a large step because those are guys who have prior professional experience. We felt it was a good step for him to go through, and instead of missing a step and going right into the AHL, we said, 'Let's throw him in down there, instead of throwing him into this level.' "

Gage said Duffy's strengths as a player are his poise, his passing skills and his vision on the ice, as well as his ability to move the puck in transition. Rochester is in seventh place in the AHL's North Division and will not make the playoffs. But Gage believes Duffy's time in the AHL this season will serve as a learning opportunity.

Gage said any decision on Duffy's future with the organization will be made by the Panthers, who drafted him in 2005.

But in pursuit of a professional career, Duffy's life is confined to his hockey bag, a suitcase, a laptop computer and a cell phone. Duffy is staying in a hotel next to the Blue Cross Arena and is dividing his time between hockey and school. He is on schedule to graduate in May with a degree in child development and family relations. He is currently doing his course work online, staying in touch with professors and advisers via e-mail.

"This is always what I have dreamed of doing," Duffy said. "I've always wanted to be here. Nothing's more important than getting your education, and I had a great four years at Maine. I'm glad I'm moving on."

Staff Writer Rachel Lenzi can be reached at 791-6415 or at:

rlenzi@pressherald.com