The Maine Class A Coaches Association announce the eight semifinalist for the 2011 Travis Roy Award.

The Travis Roy Award is awarded annually to the top player in boys’ Class A hockey. Last year’s winner was Trevor Fleurent from Biddeford High School.

The finalist will be announced later this year and the winner will be announced at the Class A Hockey State Banquet in March.

Travis Roy Semifinalists

Alex Parker- St. Dom’s, Forward
During his St. Dom’s career Alex Parker has been a four-year varsity member of the hockey, soccer and baseball teams and has been a two-year captain of each team. He has been part of two state championships in soccer and one in baseball and has been to one state hockey final game. For the past two hockey seasons he has been a First Team All-State selection. For the 2009/10 season he was the St. Dom’s team MVP and recipient of the team award for having the best plus/minus ratio. This past regular season he had 36 total points based on 18 goals and 18 assists. Over the course of his hockey career he has totaled over 100 career points. Al is in the Top 10 of his class and is a member of the National Honor Society. College choices include Bates College, Stonehill, Providence College and the University of Maine.

Cam Poussard-Lewiston, Goalie
The senior has been a four year starter for the Blue Devils. Cam leads all goaltenders in Class A Hockey with a .73 GAA and a 96 % Saves percentage. Not including the 2010-2011 State Playoffs, he has recorded 53 wins, 15 losses and 5 ties with 27 career shutouts. Cam was elected to the All East Second Team his freshmen and sophomore years and to the All East First Team his junior year. Cam is an honor roll student in second in his senior class. Cam hopes to pursue a post-graduate year in prep school before going on to pursue his goal to play college hockey.

Sam Cloutier-Lewiston, Forward
A four year varsity player, Sam is the Captain and third leading scorer in the State with 47 points. Sam standout two way center for the Blue Devils, and honor roll student. Sam is a three time All-State Selection for hockey and also plays varsity lacrosse for the Blue Devils. Sam volunteers for the Lewiston Area Youth Hockey League. He hopes to pursue a post-graduate year in prep school before going on to pursue his goal to play college hockey.

Colt Steele-Lewiston, Forward
In his first year with the Blue Devils, Colt it the team’s leading scorer and second leading scorer in the State with 47 points. Before joining the Blue Devils, Colt played in the New Hampshire Junior Monarch program and with Team Northern New England and Team New England. In 2009 and 2010 Colt played in the Semi-Finals for the Juniors National Championship. Colt is an honor roll student at Lewiston and a volunteer with several learn to skate programs. Colt hopes to play junior hockey or to pursue a post-graduate year in prep school before going on to pursue his goal to play college hockey.

Nick Gagne – Biddeford High School, Defenseman
Nick, a four year varsity player for the Tigers and team captain, has been the defensive lynchpin of Biddeford’s top seeded squad. A stalwart defender, Gagne has not missed a varsity game in four years and has been a member of two State Championship teams. Away from the rink, Nick is the Vice-President of his class, the Treasurer of the National Honor Society and has maintained an impressive 3.75 GPA, earning him a spot in the Top Ten of his class. Gagne was also a captain of the Biddeford Football team and volunteers his time with Biddeford Youth Hockey and East Biddeford Little League.

Tommy Ellis- South Portland, Defenseman
Tommy Ellis has been a four year varsity defenseman for the South Portland Red Riots. As a freshman he was voted the 7th player award by his teammates. He is a three-year captain and helped lead the Red Riots to their first playoff win as a junior in 2010. Tommy was quarterback this year for the varsity football team, played cornerback on defense and is a defenseman on the lacrosse team. He was named second team all-SMAA cornerback this year in football and honorable mention all-SMAA last year in hockey. He is a member of the National Honor Society with a 92grade average and is active in Interact, the youth Rotary Service organization. He plans to study geology and is presently considering five Division III colleges in upstate New York, where he intends to play football.

Sam Canales – Thornton Academy, Forward
A four-year varsity player and two-year captain for the Golden Trojans, Canales is the quintessential power forward who is closing in on his 90th career point. The High Honors student is in the top 10% of his class, is a member of the National Honor Society, and is also the student leader of Thornton’s chapter of Volunteers of America. Canales is a three time All State selection and is also an All Conference Baseball player who will attend Bowdoin College this fall.

Jon Pate – Thornton Academy, Forward
A three sport varsity standout (soccer, baseball), Pate is a team captain and among the more skilled players in the state. The right-winger is a smooth and explosive skater and a truly versatile hockey player. Pate is in the top 25% of his class and is a recognized leader on the TA campus; he represented Thornton at the SMAA Student-Athlete Leadership Summit last spring. He is a two time All State selection who will enroll in a postgraduate year at either Bridgton Academy, Pomfret School or Westminster School next year in order to prep for his academic and playing experiences in college.