Jamie Belleau has been named the hockey coach at Lewiston, his alma mater. Belleau previously coached at Edward Little

Belleau led Edward Little to state championships in 2003 and 2004, his first two seasons of coaching at the Auburn school.

Belleau, a 1989 Lewiston graduate, succeeds Norm Gagne, who left the program in May after coaching at Lewiston for three seasons.

Kevin Gagne, a defenseman from Rothesay Netherwood School in New Brunswick, gave the University of Maine hockey program a verbal commitment last fall to join the team in 2010, as chronicled in December.

However, Gagne has another option to consider for his hockey future – the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, considered a proving ground for NHL prospects. The St. John's Sea Dogs drafted Gagne 32nd with their first pick in the QMJHL draft but Gagne says he is keeping his options open as far as his hockey future goes.

It's official - Lewiston High School is in search of a new hockey coach. Norm Gagne's name was not put forth to the Lewiston School Committee on Monday night for renewal of his contract.

No word yet on whether or not Gagne, one of the nation's winningest high school hockey coaches, will re-apply for the job, but consider that right now there's also a coaching opening at St. Dominic, after John Pleau's resignation earlier this month.

The Falmouth hockey locker room at Family Ice Center has new tenants this week – the U.S. national hockey team, which opened up training camp this afternoon at Family Ice. It was pretty strange to see Boston's Phil Kessel and not Derek Kump walking in and out of the locker room.

Several area high school hockey coaches and players, including Falmouth forward Mike Chase (taking copious notes) were also on hand to watch the first Team USA skate, which was open to the public.

Team USA practices at 11 a.m. Friday and at 12:40 Saturday in Falmouth. Team Sweden also practices at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Falmouth.

Moments after being named the Travis Roy Award winner Sunday in Lewiston, Biddeford's Tony Dube spoke highly of the three finalists for the award, Falmouth's Derek Kump, Lewiston's Jon Roy and Messalonskee's Matt DelGiudice.

"Derek Kump, I used to play against him in youth hockey and he's always been a great goalie. In my opinion he is still the best high school hockey goalie in the state. Jon Roy is a tremendous competitor and I played against him two years in the state game. He never made it easy for me. Matt DelGiudice, also a great player, I didn't get to see much of him because he was in the East but I saw him (Saturday) in the all-star game and he impressed me a lot."

Biddeford defenseman Brian Dumoulin will forgo his senior year of high school hockey to play for the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs.

Dumoulin helped Biddeford win its second Class A championship on Saturday, and finished the season with 13 goals and 48 assists.

Biddeford goalie Tony Dube had high praise for his goaltending counterpart Saturday night after the Tigers won their second Class A championship.

"I think it was a goaltending battle right to the very end," said Dube, who stopped 27 shots in a 4-1 win over Lewiston. "Lewiston kind of faltered a little bit, I guess you could say, and we capitalized. Cam Poussard played a hell of a game tonight. He's going to be really good in a couple years. My guess is by his junior year, he will be the best goalie in the state of Maine."

Poussard, a freshman, made 26 saves for the Blue Devils.

***

From the "That's quite a long game" department:

The Michigan High School Athletic Association designated co-champions in high school hockey this weekend after Marquette and Orchard Lake St. Mary's skated to a 1-1, eight-overtime tie in the Division 1 championship game.

The game was stopped after 109 minutes and set a new national record for most overtimes in a game. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, two games have been played to six overtimes – Anchorage East (Ak.) defeated Anchorage Bartlett 3-2 on Feb. 6, 2001 and Edina (Minn.) defeated Eden Prairie 3-2 on Feb. 25, 1998.

BIDDEFORD 4, LEWISTON 1: Nick Reny scored the go-ahead goal on a shorthanded effort in the second period, helping Biddeford complete a 24-0 season and win its second consecutive Class A championship.

WINSLOW 4, YORK 3, OT: At the Colisee in Lewiston, Nick Thorne scored with 4:14 left in overtime to clinch the Class B championship for the Black Raiders.

Winslow's Jesse Little made 37 saves as the Black Raiders defeated the Wildcats for their 10th Class B championship.

Ben Grant, Jeffrey Browne and Sean Bourgeois scored for Winslow while Dan Powers, Jake Posternak and Devin Zucker scored in the final seven minutes of the third period for York.

BIDDEFORD 2, KENNEBUNK 1, OT: Trevor Fleurent's goal with less than four minutes left in the first overtime gave the Tigers their second consecutive Western Class A title.

Biddeford will face Lewiston at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Colisee for the Class A championship.

LEWISTON 5, WATERVILLE 2: Jon Roy scored three goals, including two in the second period, as the Blue Devils (19-3-1) won their fourth consecutive Eastern A championship.

Lewiston goalie Cam Poussard made 28 saves. Zach Jochem and Cameron Bishop scored for Waterville (14-8-1).

Lewiston will face either Biddeford or Kennebunk in the Class A championship game at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Colisee in Lewiston.

On that note, it looks as if the Western A final between the Tigers and the Rams will start past 8 p.m.

One team has already secured its berth in Saturday's state hockey championships, as Winslow defeated Gardiner 5-4 in overtime Tuesday night in the Eastern Class B final in Orono.

Winslow will face either York or Greely - the Western B championship is at 7 tonight at the Colisee in Lewiston.

Waterville plays Lewiston for the Eastern A title at 6 tonight at the Cumberland County Civic Center, followed by Kennebunk-Biddeford for the Western A title.

Despite the slick weather, no postponements so far from the Maine Principals' Association.

The Lewiston hockey team played the final game of a four-game day Monday at the Colisee, and the Blue Devils' 5-1 win over Lawrence ended right around the time most people were turning off the TV after the nightly news.

However, Blue Devils Coach Norm Gagne plans to catch up on his sleep tonight. He didn't arrive home in Gorham until 1 this morning and returned to Lewiston High, where he's a staff member.

The Blue Devils have a light skate this afternoon, in preparation for Wednesday's Eastern Class A final against Waterville. Here's to a good night's sleep for the veteran coach.

***

If you're on the Kennebunk hockey team, don't plan to watch the end of the Boston Bruins game tonight. Only minutes after Kennebunk's 2-1 win over Falmouth on Tuesday in a Western A semifinal, Rams Coach Don Hill was making plans for a 9 p.m. practice for his team tonight at the Biddeford Ice Arena.

Biddeford, Kennebunk's opponent Wednesday in the Western A final, has a 2:20 practice scheduled for today.

No. 1 BIDDEFORD 7, No. 12 SCARBOROUGH 3: Cam Madore scored three goals for the Tigers, who won their 22nd straight game Monday at the Colisee. Biddeford scored four goals in the second period to break open a 2-1 game, and finished with five power-play goals.

Tony Dube made 15 saves in two periods for the Tigers, who face No. 2 Kennebunk in the Western A final Wednesday at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Jacob Rutt scored two goals for Scarborough (8-14-1), which took 13 penalties.

Zach Jochem's goal with less than five minutes left became the game-winner for No. 3 Waterville, which defeated No. 2 Brewer 4-3 at the Colisee.

John Massey had three assists for the Purple Panthers, who eliminated last year's Class B champion from the playoffs.

Waterville will face either No. 4 Lawrence or No. 1 Lewiston on Wednesday in the Eastern A final at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Joey York scored both goals, including the game-winner with 2:02 left in the second overtime, as No. 2 Kennebunk defeated No. 3 Falmouth 2-1 in the first Western A semifinal.

Brewer and Waterville are tied at 2-2 in the opening minutes of the third period at the Colisee.

Because there are plenty of seats available this afternoon at the Colisee in Lewiston. It's an MCI crowd - friends and family - so far for a Western Class A semifinal between Falmouth and Kennebunk, which kicks off a four-game day-night regional semifinal affair at 3 p.m., followed by:

Brewer vs. Waterville at 5 p.m. (Eastern A)
Biddeford vs. Scarborough at 7 p.m. (Western A)
Lewiston vs. Lawrence at 9 p.m. (Eastern A)

Keep in mind these are all scheduled face-off times.

It turns out Scarborough hockey coach Jay Mazur had a good excuse to back out of the Maine Mariners/Boston Bruins alumni game Wednesday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Mazur, a former Portland Pirate, and his team had a postseason date in Gorham.

The Red Storm got a raincheck - make that a "snow" check - as its playoff game against Bonny Eagle was postponed from Tuesday to Wednesday, conflicting with the charity contest.

"I so badly wanted to play in that," Mazur said after Scarborough's 8-1 win in the Western Class A playoffs.

Mazur had a substitute - brother-in-law Wes McCauley, an NHL referee who lives in South Portland.

"He's wearing my sweater with my name on it, so he better have done me proud," Mazur said, laughing.

The Maine Class A Coaches Association released this season's final Class A ice hockey top-ten poll:

1. Biddeford
2. Kennebunk
3. Falmouth
4. Lewiston
5. Brewer
6. St. Dominic
7. Waterville
8. Portland
9. Thornton Academy
10. Brunswick

Others receiving votes: Bangor, Lawrence, Bonny Eagle

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Matt Stairs is in Florida for spring training but told the National Post of Canada that he might make a return trip to Maine if the John Bapst hockey team reaches the Class B state championship game. Stairs lives in Bangor in the offseason and is an assistant hockey coach at John Bapst.

The state championships are scheduled for March 8 at the Colisee in Lewiston – the same day the Blue Jays have an exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers.

The Maine Class A Coaches Association has named eight semifinalists for the Travis Roy Award, given annually to the top senior in Class A high school hockey.

Topher Pochebit, Cheverus
Nick Reny, Biddeford
Tony Dube, Biddeford
John Massey, Waterville
Jon Roy, Lewiston
Jordan Bourgoin, Lewiston
Derek Kump, Falmouth
Matt DelGiudice, Messalonskee

The finalists for the award will be announced March 10 and the Travis Roy Award winner will be announced at the Class A Hockey banquet at 1 p.m. March 16 the Ramada Inn in Lewiston.

The Brunswick hockey team handed Lewiston its third loss of the season, a 1-0 overtime decision Monday night at the Colisee. The Dragons won despite being outshot 27-13 by the Blue Devils, the top team in Eastern Class A.

***

This week's Maine Class A Coaches Poll:

1. Biddeford (unanimous)
2. Kennebunk
3. Falmouth
4. St. Dominic
5. Lewiston
6. Brewer
7. Waterville
8. Thornton Academy
9. Portland
10. (tie) - Brunswick, Lawrence
Others receiving votes: Bangor, Bonny Eagle, Gray-New Gloucester/Poland

The Kennebunk hockey team faces Biddeford for the second Fix Cup championship Monday at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Falmouth faces Portland at 6 p.m. in the tournament consolation game, followed by the championship game between the Rams and the Tigers, traditional rivals.

In last week's semifinals, Kennebunk defeated Falmouth 4-3 and Biddeford defeated Portland 5-2.

Four teams will meet Monday at the Cumberland County Civic Center to play in the second annual Fix Cup tournament, named after the late Frank Fixaris, one of the state's best-known sports broadcasters. The exhibition tournament began last year and is modeled after the legendary Beanpot Tournament in Boston.

Falmouth, the defending tournament champion, faces Kennebunk at 6 p.m. Monday, followed by Biddeford against Portland in the second semifinal.

The tournament semifinal is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Civic Center, followed by the tournament championship game.

The Maine Class A Coaches Association released this week's Class A ice hockey top-ten poll:

1. Biddeford
2. Lewiston
3. Falmouth
4. Kennebunk
5. Brewer
6. Thornton Academy
7. Portland
8. Waterville
9. Brunswick
10. St. Dominic

Others receiving votes: Scarborough, Bonny Eagle

Want to keep an eye on Class A's ice hockey teams? Go to www.mainehshockey.com to take a look at scoring leaders, team standings and the coaches/media poll.

***

Another New England community has been hit with budget issues that could affect high school hockey. In Montpelier, Vt., the school superintendent presented a budget proposal in December that, if passed, could eliminate the Montpelier High School hockey team, the high school dance program, teachers and courses.

The school board members will vote on the proposed budget Jan. 16. If approved, it will be put before voters on March 6.

***

Falmouth (4-0-1) and Biddeford (4-0) – second and third, respectively, in this week's Western Class A Heal points – meet at 8:15 tonight at the Family Ice Center in Falmouth.

Jamie McDonald, the hockey coach at Rothesay Netherwood School in New Brunswick, gave perspective on the potential of Kevin Gagne.

McDonald likened the skills of the 15-year-old defenseman, who has committed to the University of Maine, to St. Louis left wing and former Black Bear Paul Kariya.

"He's a special player, and they come only every once in a while," said McDonald, who worked with Hockey Canada and was a regional scout for the New York Rangers.

***

Also, here's a story from 2003 that first forecasted the trend of early commitments to college hockey programs.

While Derek Army spends the remainder of the week in Maine with the Moses Brown hockey team, his father, Tim, and the Providence College hockey team headed to Detroit to play in the Great Lakes Invitational.

Providence faces Michigan at 4:30 p.m. Friday and will play either Michigan Tech or Michigan State on Saturday.

Moses Brown plays Greely at 5 p.m. today in Falmouth, then plays Falmouth at 2:10 p.m. Friday in the Maine High School Hockey Invitational.

Massabesic-Old Orchard Beach hockey player Steven Drown was ambulanced to the hospital Saturday as a precaution after he collided with another player in the final seconds of the Seastangs' 5-0 loss to Westbrook at USM Ice Arena in Gorham.

Drown was on the ice for more than 45 minutes before he was taken by ambulance to Maine Medical Center, and the start of the St. Dominic-Scarborough hockey game, originally scheduled for 5:15 p.m. was delayed until 6 p.m.

Just hours before the puck dropped Friday, the Maine Class A Coaches Association released its preseason poll, voted upon by the state's Class A coaches and the media.

Eight cooperative teams will skate in high school hockey this season – Gray-New Gloucester/Poland, Lisbon/OakHill, Fryeburg/Lake Region, Marshwood/Traip Academy, Massabesic/Old Orchard Beach, Houlton/Hodgdon, Hall-Dale/Winthrop and Maranacook/Monmouth.

One would think it would be difficult to bring players from two schools together, but players from Massabesic/Old Orchard Beach believe otherwise.

"We've played together since junior high and youth hockey," said Dominic Parent, whose team has two players from Old Orchard Beach. "We're a pretty accepting group and we're not picky about who's playing on the team."

The Gorham ice hockey team is getting used to one surname – Gushee. David Gushee, a junior center for the Rams, prepares for his third season with the team, continuing a family tradition.

"This is my seventh year with a Gushee," Gorham Coach Eric Wales said.

Preseason tournament time, that is.

Cheverus High School will host its fifth annual Thanksgiving tournament Friday and Saturday at three sites – the Portland Ice Arena, the Cumberland County Civic Center and the Travis Roy Arena in Yarmouth. 12 boys and girls teams from Maine, New Hampshire and Canada will compete in the exhibition tournament.

***

With the holiday approaching, the blog will go on hiatus for a few days. Happy Thanskgiving, everyone!