LEWISTON – Parker Sanderson, a forward from Bangor High, became the 18th recipient of the Travis Roy Award Sunday afternoon.
Sanderson was honored at the Class A hockey banquet after a season in which he led Bangor to the Eastern Maine final. He was among the state’s top scorers despite missing three games because of a scary leg injury.
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Sanderson was chosen from a group of four finalists that included Scarborough defenseman Nick Bagley, Cheverus forward Cam McLain and St. Dom’s goalie Grant Carrier.
“The group of guys that were in it this year were all tremendous people,” Sanderson said. “To win it is just absolutely amazing and astonishing because the group of kids, like I said, were amazing people and I just can’t be thankful enough.”
“If they could give away four awards, like they should have this year, I would be totally for it, but I’m just thankful to win this award,” he added.
The award, presented to the top senior in Class A hockey, is named for Travis Roy, a former Yarmouth High and North Yarmouth Academy player who suffered a severe spinal cord injury just 11 seconds into his first shift for Boston University on Oct. 25, 1995.
“(Hockey) is about doing what you love, and Travis Roy is a constant reminder to enjoy every second of what you love and never take it for granted because that ability can be taken away in an instant,” Sanderson said during a brief speech at the Class A hockey banquet before the award was presented.
“His love for the game showed on and off the ice. He’s admired by the hockey community as well as being a role model for all age groups because of what he himself represents. Travis Roy may have only gotten 11 seconds of his dream, but he gave the rest of us a lifetime of dreams to go after.”
Sanderson, the first Bangor player to win the award, had 25 goals and 26 assists in 18 games.
“He’s a very great character kid,” Bangor Coach Quinn Paradis said. “He was captain of the team and was very supportive, on and off the ice.”
Sanderson was temporarily knocked out of the lineup when a skate blade cut into the back of one of his legs.
“He had an injury that could have ended his season,” Paradis said, “but he came back and finished the season strong.”
Originally from Houlton, Sanderson moved to Bangor with his family after his sophomore year.
“It was quite a change to come from a small town in northern Maine to a bigger town in Bangor and one of the largest (high) schools in the state,” Paradis said. “He made a great adjustment and he’s been a great asset to the community.”
Sanderson, who also plays baseball, isn’t sure whether he’ll attend prep school or play junior hockey season.
“I’m keeping all options open, and see how it goes from there,” he said.
Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:
pbetit@pressherald.com
Twitter: PaulBetitPPH
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