SCAROROUGH — Matt Caron talks about his team and says “we” a lot, and speaks of Scarborough’s success because “we had everyone there.”

No doubt, Scarborough High had a good boys’ hockey team, reaching the Class A state championship game two straight years. But without Caron, that kind of success would have been doubtful.

It was Caron who came back from injury last year just in time for the Red Storm’s playoff run, when Scarborough went from a No. 4 seed in the West/South to the state championship.

And it was Caron who led his team in both goals (20) and assists (22) this season as the Red Storm won another regional title.

Caron, the recipient of the Travis Roy Award as the top Class A senior hockey player, is also the Maine Sunday Telegram boys’ hockey Player of the Year.

“I have to say Matt Caron is a coach’s dream player,” Scarborough Coach Norm Gagne said. “He’s a scorer, a playmaker, a defensive player, an unselfish player, a leader, and he’s a true competitor.”

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Caron competed to the end. With Scarborough down 2-1 to Cheverus late in a regular-season game, Caron scored with 13 seconds left to secure a tie. He did the same thing against Lewiston, scoring with 6.3 seconds remaining to give the Red Storm a 1-1 tie.

“Caron is the best center in the state,” Cheverus Coach Dan Lucas said. “He is great on the draw, sees the ice well, has a second gear, and can finish.”

Scarborough remained undefeated until two late losses. Then came the 2-1 loss to Lewiston in the state championship game, with the Blue Devils scoring a last-minute goal this time.

“We were a bounce or a goal away from winning another state title,” Caron said. “We worked incredibly hard that game. Lewiston also had a fantastic game.”

That game was Caron’s last. He will not be playing in college.

“I considered it,” Caron said. “I thought if I played a couple of years of juniors, then I could go to a Division III school. But I thought it would be easier to play another sport that I love and go to college right out of high school.”

Caron is headed to Maine Maritime Academy, where he plans to study engineering and play soccer.

“Matt is just an all-round athlete that comes around just a very few times in a coaching career,” Gagne said. “He was never satisfied with his game, always working to get better.

“Matt was one of a great group of key players here at Scarborough that helped bring our program to where it is today.”

TELEGRAM ALL-STATE TEAM

Robbie Armitage, Falmouth junior, forward: A heady player, Armitage usually put himself in position to be a part of the Yachtsmen’s relentless attack, recording 25 assists along with his 14 goals.

Chris Camelio, Falmouth junior, forward: Camelio centered Falmouth’s feared top line and had 24 goals and 18 assists for the Class A South runner-up.

Matt Caron, Scarborough senior, forward: One of the state’s premier centers and clutch players, Caron led the Red Storm to a second straight trip to the Class A state final with 20 goals and 22 assists.

Walter Conrad, Yarmouth senior, defenseman: Was on the ice a lot because of both his defensive prowess and his offensive skills. He had 14 goals and 24 assists for the Class B South champions.

Derek Fournier, Bangor junior, goalie: Fournier kept the Rams in a lot of close games, often facing more than 40 shots against the best teams. His .925 save percentage was the best among full-time Class A goalies.

Ross LeBlond, Scarborough senior, goalie: LeBlond transferred from Cape Elizabeth and backstopped a stellar defense. He shined in the playoffs, stopping 80 of 83 shots to lead Scarborough to the title game.

Brandon Nale, Messalonskee junior, forward: Messalonskee again featured offensive fireworks, paced by Nale, who led the state with 75 points (including 39 goals) for the Class B North runner-up.

Jeromey Rancourt, Lewiston junior, forward: Led the state champions with 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) in the regular season. In the state title game, he assisted on one goal and scored the winner with 29 seconds left.

Andrew Roderigue, Waterville junior, defenseman: Besides being a solid defenseman, Roderigue can shoot. He scored 27 goals in the regular season and got the winner in overtime in the Class B title game.

Austin Roy, St. Dominic senior, forward: Roy led St. Dom’s to the Class A North final, totaling 17 goals and 13 assists.

Ben Steele, Edward Little senior, defenseman: The Red Eddies finished third in Class A North, and Steele sometimes carried the team, recording 33 points (four goals, 29 assists).

Walsh Troiani-Gagner, Thornton Academy senior, defenseman: Returned to high school play after a year in juniors, helping the Trojans become a contender again. He had 10 goals and eight assists.

Coach of the Year

Jamie Belleau, Lewiston: The Blue Devils had a blend of young and veteran talent, and Belleau toughened up the team with exhibition games against Massachusetts powerhouses, then had them peaking at the right time to win Lewiston’s first Class A state championship since 2002.


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