LEWISTON — Isac Nordstrom learned to overcome life’s challenges at a young age.
“Travis Roy’s career was cut way too short. Mine wasn’t even supposed to have started,” Nordstrom told crowded room at the Class A hockey banquet Sunday at the Ramada Inn in Lewiston. “I was not expected to be a hockey player.”
Additional Images
TRAVIS ROY AWARD WINNERS
2015: Isac Nordstrom, Falmouth
2014: Kyle Lemelin, Lewiston
2013: Parker Sanderson, Bangor
2012: C.J. Maksut, Thornton Academy
2011: Cam Poussard, Lewiston
2010: Trevor Fleurent, Biddeford
2009: Richard Paradis, St. Dominic
2008: Tony Dube, Biddeford
2007: Kit Smith, Brunswick
2006: Ted Fabian, Messalonskee
2005: Peter Gustavson, Falmouth
2004: Kyle Smith, Edward Little
2003: Nate Hart, Waterville
2002: Josh Benson, Edward Little
2001: Joey Dumais, St. Dominic
2000: J.D. Walker, Portland
1999: Chad Hart, Waterville
1998: Casey LaFlamme, Biddeford
1997: Matt Greason, NYA
1996: Brian Toussaint, St. Dominic
Born blind in his left eye, doctors told Nordstrom he would never have the coordination to play sports like hockey.
The Falmouth High senior did not agree with their assessment and put together a fine high school hockey career. He was named the 2014-15 Travis Roy Award winner Sunday.
Nordstrom, who finished his career with 113 points and two state championships, joins 2005 winner Peter Gustavson as the only Falmouth players to win the honor, given to the top Class A senior hockey player in Maine.
“I was nervous coming up to the podium and having my speech, but it feels really good right now. It’s nuts,” Nordstrom said. “I really don’t have words for it, but I just want to thank my teammates and my coach for bringing me here. It’s been great. Also my parents, (because) without their support I wouldn’t have been here.”
Lawrence/Skowhegan’s Cody Martin, Saint Dominic Academy’s Brad Berube and South Portland/Freeport/Waynflete’s Andrew Whipple were the other finalists for the award.
Becoming a great player did not happen without a number of obstacles for Nordstrom, a native of Sweden.
In his speech Nordstrom spoke of the eye patch he had to wear over his right eye to strengthen his left and the years of thick glasses that followed. He talked briefly about his journey to the United States, moving from Sundsvall, Sweden, to Maine in 2011 after his father took a new job.
“The first couple months it was pretty tough. I didn’t know the language too well but I had to work through it,” Nordstrom said. “It’s just like hockey, you have to bear down to get better so that’s what I did. I got a lot of help from the teachers and my friends.
“It ended up being the right thing for me and I’m very blessed.”
This winter presented its own set of challenges for Nordstrom, whose season appeared to be over when he tore ligaments in his right ankle.
“The first thing they said to me was I was going to be out for the season, but I battled back and I came back for this,” Nordstrom said. “I was fortunate enough to only miss six games, but it’s tough standing on the sidelines, being a captain and watching your teammates. They took charge and they played well without me. I’m really proud of them.”
Falmouth (14-5) finished as the top seed in Western Class A. The Yachtsmen were knocked off by eventual state champion Scarborough 5-4 in the regional semifinals.
Nordstrom has already received offers from Kimball Union, Cushing Academy and Kents Hill for a postgraduate year.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
