Jeromey Rancourt achieved one dream last Saturday when the Lewiston senior finished his high school career by helping his team win a Class A boys’ hockey state championship.

He now has a chance to achieve another, by winning a Travis Roy Award.

On Tuesday, the Blue Devils’ senior captain was named one of four finalists for the award, which is presented by the Class A Hockey Coaches Association to the top senior Class A player in the state.

The winner will be announced during the Class A hockey banquet on March 26 at Ramada Inn in Lewiston.

Joining Rancourt as finalists for the award are Bangor goalie Derek Fournier, Falmouth forward Robbie Armitage, and Scarborough defenseman Eric Murray.

“It’s an honor, honestly,” Rancourt said. “Having this prestigious award and being able to be alongside some of the three best hockey players in the state, it’s pretty awesome.

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“That was one of my dreams growing up and goals this year, to hopefully be a finalist, or just be nominated, honestly. It’s incredible.”

Rancourt was tied for the team lead in points during the regular season, tallying 44 on 18 goals a team-leading 26 assists. He added a goal and five assists during Lewiston’s three-game run to a second consecutive state championship.

“I found them when they were open and they could put it in the back of the net,” Rancourt said. “It’s pretty awesome to have such a team with such talent to be able to put the puck in the net.”

Lewiston coach Jamie Belleau said what sets Rancourt apart from many of the other talented players in Maine is his commitment to playing hockey in all three zones.

“He’s always had great skill, he can shoot the puck, he can skate, he can pass, he has really good hands,” Belleau said. “Any hockey coach can see those things. One of things we preach here is team defense, and a lot of the best players, including Jeromey, they come into high school and they don’t know how to play defense. That’s not a knock on them. We don’t teach defense at the youth level the way kids in high school need to play it to be successful.

“Any college coach, junior coach whatever, they can see if a kid’s got hands, they can see if the kid’s got good skills,” Belleau continued. “That’s the easy part. They want to see what you do away from the puck. They want to see if you’re a liability or a hazard in the defensive zone. One of the areas in which I’ve seen Jeromey mature, and this goes to his work ethic, is that he can play in any situation. He knows how to play in every zone on the ice. That’s something he’s developed over the past few years.”

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Rancourt called being a finalist after winning back-to-back state titles “kind of the best possible way to go out on a high note.”

The dynamic Blue Devil forward has some stiff competition for the award, which would be the third for a Lewiston player.

“Each one of those guys have a unique ability,” Rancourt said. “I don’t know what they’re like in their locker rooms, but they’re well-respected throughout the league.”

Fournier compiled a 1.74 goals against average and a .922 save percentage during his career for the Rams. Armitage paced the Yachtsmen’s offense in goals (16), assists (17), and points (33), and his production and leadership helped carry a young Falmouth team to the state final. Murray was one of the Red Storm’s most productive offensive players, despite playing from the blue line, was also anchoring Scarborough’s defense-first style.

After winning a career-capping state championship in his hometown, Rancourt is hoping to do the same by capturing the state’s signature hockey award in Lewiston as well.

“I think it would just be great,” Rancourt said. “It would be something that I could win for my family — my mom, how much she’s given to me — and for the community that’s been here.”

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Jeromey Rancourt of Lewiston celebrateswith teammates after winning the Class A state hockey title Saturday night in Lewiston.

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