WATERVILLE – Nate Hart didn’t get a chance to go the the playoffs this year. Considering he played for Waterville High School, that in itself seems like an aberration.
What Hart did do, however, was finish off his high school career as one of the best players in his school’s history. In four years, Hart tallied 105 goals and added 100 assists for 205 points, placing him fifth on the school’s all-time list. But it is what Hart did this season that endeared him to Class A coaches, fans and fellow players and made him the recipient of the 2002-03 Travis Roy Award.
“To have a player of his caliber on the team makes any coach happy,” said Waterville coach Norm Gagne. “It didn’t matter who the competition was. Day in and day out he was one of the best players on the ice.”
Hart scored more than 50 percent of his team’s goals this season.
“It feels great to be recognized with this award,” said Hart, “but I almost feel bad for the other plwho didn’t get it. They deserved it as much as I did.”
Hart beat out Ryan Shelley, the goaltender at Cheverus, and Jay Morgan, a Portland forward, for the award.
“I just wanted to give my team a chance to win every game,” said Hart. “If that meant going out there and scoring all the time, then that’s what I had to do. But it’s not about how many points I have, it’s about the team winning. I feel bad in a sense because I feel that I could have done better, and that might have helped the team out more.”
Hart’s next goal is an attempt to walk on at the University of Maine next year.
“He has the tools,” said Gagne. “He has the determination and the drive. He has a real shot at it.”
Hart wasn’t the only honoree Sunday. Seven players from Lewiston, five from Edward Little and three from St. Dom’s were honored as part of the All-State team selections. Brian Vye, Kirk Bolduc and Joe McGrath of Lewiston and Kyle Smith and Randy Morin of Edward Little were selected to the All-State team. Colby Gilbert, Luke Robinson and Mert Gould of EL, Jason Dube Adam Toutain, Scott Geoffroy and Ethyn Brodeur of Lewiston, and Shawn Longley, Zach Tyburski and Matt Hale of
St. Dom’s were selected to
their respective All-Regional teams.
“Once you win as a team,” said Gilbert, “or once the team season is over, it’s great to be recognized for the individual accomplishments. It shows people how hard these players worked all season to get where we are.”
Lewiston coach Tim Smith presented the Class A championship bowl to EL coach Jamie Belleau and the rest of the team, symbolizing the passing of the crown from one school to the next.
Also announced on Sunday were the All-Academic players from Class A this season. Robinson of EL, Adam Wilding of Lewiston and Ryan Goulet of St. Dom’s garnered All-Academic honors for their respective teams, while Cory Nadeau of EL, Jake Girardin of Lewiston and Ryan LaPlante of St. Dom’s were selected as honorable mention.
jpelletier@sunjournal.com
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