LEWISTON – Cam Poussard didn’t spend much time talking about the wins and losses he accumulated in four years of high school hockey. The Lewiston goalie didn’t dwell on the headlines he received, or the 27 shutouts he recorded in four seasons.

What Poussard did talk about in his speech at the Class A hockey banquet was the most important thing he has learned through playing hockey — the value of friendship.

But the accolades are nice, too, and he received another one Sunday.

Poussard, a four-year starter, was named the winner of the Travis Roy Award as the top senior hockey player in Class A.

The award is named after the former Yarmouth High and North Yarmouth Academy star who was paralyzed 11 seconds into his first shift of college hockey at Boston University.

Poussard is the first Lewiston High player and second goalie to earn the award, given annually since 1996.

“Growing up in Maine and in high school, looking up to all the guys who won it in the past, the Tony Dubes, the Richard Paradis, you always dream of getting that kind of recognition as a high school hockey player,” Poussard said. “It’s really just an honor to receive this and be acknowledged for all the hard work you’ve put into hockey throughout your four years of high school.”

Poussard recorded a 0.73 goals-against average and a .960 save percentage this season while leading Lewiston to the Class A championship game. Lewiston lost 4-3 in double overtime to Thornton Academy.

In four seasons, Poussard went 55-16-5 and had 27 shutouts.

Poussard was one of four finalists for the award, joining Thornton Academy’s Sam Canales, Biddeford’s Nick Gagne and St. Dominic Academy’s Alex Parker. Each of the finalists gave a speech to an audience made up of Class A coaches, parents, family members and friends, and Poussard spoke about the bonds he forged in four years with the Blue Devils.

Canales, a forward who had 10 goals and 15 assists while helping Thornton win its first state championship, talked about the importance of a strong work ethic. Canales had a chance to meet Roy when he spoke recently at Thornton Academy.

“He talked about setting goals,” Canales said. “You never know how far hard work and determination will take you unless you try.”

Gagne, a defenseman on a team that allowed 1.35 goals per game, spoke about former Biddeford defenseman Brian Dumoulin, the Boston College standout who mentored Gagne during his first two seasons with the Tigers. After Dumoulin left Biddeford to play junior hockey, Gagne took it upon himself to mentor the younger Tigers defenseman, “like Brian did for me,” he said.

Parker, a forward who had 20 goals and 19 assists, discussed the identity of the Saints program — a team defined by its work ethic — as well as his family’s connection to the sport, and he recalled the Lewiston, St. Dom’s and Edward Little games he attended as an elementary school student.

“I remember the magnitude and the tradition of those games,” Parker said. “And I’m so glad to be a part of it.”

After receiving the Travis Roy Award, Poussard said it wasn’t something he set as a goal. Instead, he considered what the honor meant to his teammates and friends.

“It’s a by-product of everything I’ve done over the past four years,” Poussard said, standing next to the silver trophy. “I honestly just played to win as many games as possible and give my team the best chance to go to the state championship and win. We may not have gotten it done but I think it means a lot to the guys. It’s big for the program to finally have a Travis Roy Award winner.”

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

rlenzi@pressherald.com

 

Copy the Story Link