Dallas Clark led the Cony hockey team in scoring with 42 points, but that’s only part of what made him invaluable to coach Chad Foye.

“He was not a complete player last year,” Foye said. “His conditioning wasn’t quite as good and he wasn’t as strong in the defensive end of the ice. This year, he made himself stronger and better. He became a complete player this year. He put in the time and effort

The extra work paid off for Clark, who on Monday was named one of eight semifinalists for the Travis Roy Award that is given annually to the top senior player in Class A.

“It’s a great feeling,” Clark said. “It’s quite an honor. There have been a bunch of great players who’ve received this award.”

Clark, who had 20 goals and 22 assists, acknowledged he’s thought of the award before.

“It might’ve crossed my mind but I never expected it,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

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Clark is the first semifinalist from Cony since Chris Logan in 2009. Clark hopes to become the first Cony finalist since Bostjan Kolaric in 1999.

“He just played a lot harder this season,” Foye said. “He was our leading scorer and was great at both ends of the ice.”

The Rams finished 11-5-3 and reached the Eastern A quarterfinals.

• • •

Dennis Martin has helped coach the Eastern A senior all-star hockey team the last four seasons. The fifth will be a memorable one for the Waterville hockey coach.

Martin will coach the Eastern A squad Saturday for what might be the last time, because Waterville is dropping to Class B next season.

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“It’s kind of the last official act for Class A,” Martin said. “It’s going to be different. It’s the end of an era. It’s just going to be odd.”

The Androscoggin Bank Colisee will host the senior all-star games Saturday, beginning with Class B at 4 p.m. The Class A game will follow at 6 p.m.

Martin will join Lewiston coach Jamie Belleau on the Eastern A bench. Scarborough coach Norm Gagne will lead the Western A all-stars.

“Coaching against Norm, it will be fun,” Martin said. “It’s always a good time. The guys have a good time with it.”

Central Maine will be well-represented in the game. Will Bolduc (Waterville), Kyle Demchak (Skowhegan) Camden DesPres (Skowhegan), Kam Nelson (Skowhegan), Tyler Savage (Skowhegan), Matt Plourde (Maranacook/Hall-Dale/Winthrop), Tyler Leet (Cony) and Dallas Clark (Cony) will skate for the East.

Messalonskee coach Mike Latendresse will coach the Eastern B all-stars for a second straight year.

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Latendresse, whose Eagles are coming off a 3-0 loss to Greely in the Class B state championship game, said he’s going to try to piece a few lines together in the days leading up to the game.

“We’ll put a little game plan together,” he said. “We’ll come up with a forecheck and put some lines together. It’s all in fun but we don’t want to be all over the place.”

Messalonskee defenseman Dom Dexter will play for the East, as will Winslow forward Jacob Cain. Tyler Boudreau (forward) and Jordan Nutting (defenseman) will represent Lawrence.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Latendresse said. “It’s always fun to meet some of the players of the other teams.”

• • •

Latendresse said he’s moved on from the 3-0 loss to Greely in the Class B state championship game last Saturday.

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The Eagles (18-3-0) lost to the Rangers (17-4-0) in the title game for a second consecutive season.

“It was another great season with a not-so-great ending,” Latendresse said.

Greely beat Messalonskee 6-2 in the state game last season. The rematch was closer, with Greely holding a 1-0 lead going into the third period.

“We stuck to our game plan but their goalie (Kyle Kramlich) made some really big saves when he needed to,” Latendresse said.

After the game, Latendresse said he praised the team for its resiliency and also thanked the seniors for their contributions. Then, he asked the underclassmen to soak in the moment.

“I wanted them to remember this feeling,” Latendresse said.

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The Eagles will lose just three seniors, including defenseman Dom Dexter. They will return their top three leading scorers — Chase Cunningham, Jared Cunningham and Josh Towle — three starting defensemen and goalie Ben Weeks.

“Our numbers coming in are good, too,” Latendresse said. “It’s an exciting time for the program.”

Bill Stewart — 621-5640

bstewart@centralmaine.com


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