Bangor High School forward Trevor DeLaite, Scarborough forward Matt Caron, Edward Little of Auburn defenseman Ben Steele and Thornton Academy of Saco defenseman Walsh Troiani-Gagner have been named finalists for the Travis Roy Award, which is given to the state’s top senior hockey player in Class A.
DeLaite is a three-year varsity player in both hockey and baseball and has been the leading scorer for the Bangor hockey team the last two seasons. He has played on two state championship baseball teams. At the end of his freshman year, he volunteered to be the backup goalie when the regular backup was injured. After high school, he will be attending the University of Maine to play baseball for the Black Bears.
“Trevor is a great kid, he has been a big part of our program for four years,” said Bangor coach Quinn Paradis. “He was our leading scorer and our go-to guy. He scored big goals. He is on the ice more than he is off the ice during a game. He controls the play, he sees the ice very well and when he sees where the opening is in the net, he puts the puck there. He has been clutch.”
DeLaite scored two overtime game-winners and sent two games into OT with late tying goals.
Caron is a four-year varsity letter winner in both hockey and soccer. He was an assistant captain last year on Scarborough’s Class A state championship team and also played a key role on Scarborough soccer’s state championships in 2012 and 2013. He has been an active participant in the Scarborough Community Service program as a volunteer coach and was awarded the Steven Labrecque award this fall for sportsmanship, leadership and contribution to team success. He has been an honor student for the past four years.
Steele, a senior defenseman, is a three-sport student athlete and a four-year captain of the Eddies. The stalwart defenseman has led his team to four consecutive playoff appearances, is a four-year first team all-state selection, and he has over 100 points. He is a member of the National Honor Society, is a Kick Off mentor and was chosen to represent Edward Little at Dirigo Boys State. He has been part of the Dunkin Learn to Play program for the last four years for young players.
Troiani-Gagner has been a three-year varsity hockey player for Thornton Academy. He played his junior season with the Seacoast College Prep Hockey Club before returning to Thornton for his senior season. He was a second-team all-state selection as a sophomore. He now leads the team in scoring with 10 goals and eight assists while averaging 27 minutes per game. He also is involved in the community serving as a mentor at the local elementary school and volunteering at multiple youth hockey clinics and activities. He has experienced success in the classroom posting a 3.5 GPA. He plans to play Junior Hockey next season as he continues toward his goal of playing college hockey.
The Maine Class A Coaches Association will announce the Roy winner at its annual awards banquet March 13 at the Ramada Inn in Lewiston.
The award is named for Travis Roy, a former Yarmouth resident and North Yarmouth Academy standout who was paralyzed on his first shift in his first game at Boston University when he crashed into the boards. He lives and works in Boston and is a motivational speaker who works with a charity named after him.