LEWISTON – After coming back this season to help Thornton Academy win another Class A ice hockey championship, C.J. Maksut received another award Sunday.
The high-scoring forward became the 17th recipient of the prestigious Travis Roy Award during ceremonies at the Class A coaches banquet.
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The award, 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, is given annually to Maine’s top Class A boys’ hockey player.
Maksut scored 32 goals and had 27 assists to lead the Golden Trojans to their second consecutive Class A state hockey championship.
“In the off season, I was debating whether to play junior hockey,” he said. “I want to play at the next level, but, you know, I came back for the team and the guys. We wanted to win a state championship instead of (reaching) individual goals.”
During his four years with the Golden Trojans, Maksut scored 90 goals and had 64 assists to compile a school-record 154 points.
“This is a culmination of a tremendous career,” TA Coach Jamie Gagnon said.
“To put up 154 points over four years in a league like this is a tremendous accomplishment. There are no easy games, no easy points. For him to put that kind of career together is unreal.”
But scoring goals was not the only role Maksut played for Thornton Academy.
“His ability to relate to every one of our players, I think, is the biggest thing for him,” Gagnon said.
“There are so many different personalities on this team, a big senior class, and his ability to bring guys together was a big part of our success.”
Senior forward Nick Chen, one of Maksut’s teammates, said the award was well deserved.
“He’s a great hockey player, a great leader and a great role model,” Chen said.
“He meant so much to our team. Not only putting pucks in the back of the net, but in the locker room. He was always getting us going before the games. He’s just a great guy to be around, a great teammate and a friend. He’s a brother to all of us.”
The Travis Roy Award is based on a vote of the coaches from the state’s 27 Class A hockey schools. The other three finalists for the award were goalie Chris Howatt of Bangor, defenseman Taylor Reuillard of Biddeford and defenseman Brandon Tiner of Lewiston.
Maksut is the first hockey player from the Saco school to receive the award.
An honor student, Maksut has already been accepted by Quinnipiac University, a Division I school in Hamden, Conn., but he intends to play a season or two of junior hockey before trying to embark on a collegiate career.
“I’m going to see if I can lay low for a week. I’m finally going to get a break,” he joked.
“After that, I’m going to hit the gym and try to gain some weight so I can play junior hockey.”
According to his coach, Maksut is capable of playing college hockey.
“If he’s willing to put the work in, he certainly can play at the next level,” Gagnon said. “If he can get into the gym and works, I think he’s going to see a career beyond high school.”
Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:
pbetit@pressherald.com
Twitter: PaulBetitPPH
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