Falmouth senior Owen Drummey led the Yachtsmen in scoring each of the past three seasons. Carl D. Walsh/Staff Photographer
Falmouth High annually features some of the best boys’ hockey talent in Maine. But when Coach Deron Barton could finally gather his squad for this pandemic-abbreviated 2021 season, there were gaps.
“We lost seven (regulars),” Barton said, not counting those who had graduated.
With high school hockey in Maine stalled this winter, Barton said those seven went elsewhere to get playing experience.
Still, the Yachtsmen have 27 players, and that roster has a familiar name next to jersey No. 15.
Owen Drummey returned as senior captain.
“Dynamic player,” Barton said. “He’s led the team in scoring the last three seasons.
“He kills penalties, quarterbacks the power play … He played defense half the season last year when we had some injuries. He’s special.”
Even with his turn as a defenseman, Drummey managed 31 points (14 goals, 17 assists) during the regular season, tied for second best among Class A players in the state (Scarborough’s Dawson Gendreau had 33 points).
Drummey was one of only two non-seniors on last year’s Varsity Maine All-State Team (along with Hampden Academy junior goalie Cooper Ryan).
Having proved himself in high school – and with hopes of playing in college – Drummey still decided to stick around for his senior season. He said Barton was one of the reasons.
“I felt I like I owed it to my coach. He’s been there for me my last three years. And I owed it to my teammates,” Drummey said. “I wanted to finish out with them.”
Drummey has not limited himself to the brief high school season. He also plays for the Maine Moose under-18 travel team, which plays home games at Camden National Bank Ice Vault in Hallowell.
“I play a lot of tournaments,” said Drummey, who has been on travel teams since he can remember. When he lived in Kennebunk, he was on Biddeford Ice Arena teams, then the New Hampshire Seacoast team in Exeter. He spent time with the Portland Junior Pirates.
Drummey has lived in Falmouth since seventh grade. He is close to his teammates and, despite all his ice time with the Moose, Drummey did not want to see the high school season canceled.
“It’s been tough,” said Drummey, who first experienced the results of the pandemic when his lacrosse season was canceled. Then hockey was delayed, and in jeopardy.
“But I’m glad we’re back,” Drummey said. “We were really happy to be (at Family Ice Center in Falmouth) again. It meant a lot.”
Between the Moose and Yachtsmen, Drummey will see plenty of ice time. And he plans for more after graduation.
“I’m going to take a gap year and try to play junior hockey or something,” said Drummey, with his ultimate plan to improve his game enough to make a college roster.
For now, the Falmouth roster still has Drummey, for one more (abbreviated) season.
Here are some other seniors in southern Maine who will be finishing their high school hockey careers in the coming weeks:
Scarborough goalie Peter O’Brien, making a save during the Class A semifinals last year against Edward Little, helped the Red Storm reach the state championship game and take undefeated Lewiston to double overtime. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal Buy this Photo
Owen Anderson, South Portland/Freeport/Waynflete forward: Anderson recorded 11 points last year and helped the Red Riots reach the final four of the Class A playoffs for the first time (scoring two goals in the quarterfinals).
Henry Burnham, Brunswick defenseman: The Dragons reached the Class B South quarterfinals last year with a 10-8-1 record, and Burnham was a big reason why. He recorded 10 points and was named to the coaches’ Class B All-South third team.
Zach Chaisson, Scarborough forward: Chaisson scored 13 goals in the regular season, but his biggest tally was in the third overtime in the playoffs to beat Edward Little. Chaisson was named to the coaches’ Class A All-State second team.
Max Cheever, Portland/Deering defenseman: The Bulldogs earned a No. 6 seed in the crowded Class A playoffs, with Cheever contributing defensive leadership and 10 points. He was named to the coaches’ Class A All-State first team.
Tyler Grasky, Greely forward: Grasky played a role in the Rangers’ second straight Class B state title, recording 20 points. He will provide leadership, along with senior defensemen Brennan Rawnsley, Zach Dubbert and Dawson Jowett.
Peter O’Brien, Scarborough goalie: After a solid regular season (3.07 goals-against average, .903 save percentage), O’Brien was stellar in the playoffs as the Red Storm reached the Class A title game. He stopped 68 of 72 shots in his last two games.
Max Cheever, left, of Portland/Deering was a selected by coaches to the Class A All-State first team last season. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer Buy this Photo
Trevor Ouellette, Biddeford/Old Orchard Beach/Massabesic forward: Ouellette led the Tigers with eight goals and seven assists last year. Along with senior forward Nick Reissfelder, he should make Biddeford one of the top teams.
Danny Tocci, Portland/Deering forward: One key when playing the Bulldogs was knowing where Tocci was. The explosive Tocci led Portland with 14 points and was named to the coaches’ Class A All-State second team.
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