SACO — When Bryan Dallaire went back to playing defense for the Thornton Academy hockey team last month, he provided balance to a team that already boasted an extremely potent offense.

In the eight games since the move was made, the Trojans have allowed a total of nine goals.

“He fortified our blue line and added some offensive punch,” said Coach Jamie Gagnon, whose top-ranked team will host No. 8 Gorham in a Western Class A quarterfinal tonight at Biddeford Ice Arena.

“He definitely has given us another dimension.”

Dallaire spent his first two varsity seasons for the Trojans as a defenseman.

“When I was younger, I played offense, and my freshman year, when (Shawn) Rousseau coached, he moved me back to (defense),” he said.

Dallaire transferred to Biddeford for his junior year and played up front as one of the wings on the Tigers’ top forward line. He returned to Thornton for his senior year and started the hockey season on the opposite wing from C.J. Maksut, Class A’s leading scorer.

“He’s a very versatile player,” said Maksut, who has 25 goals. “He can supply offense from playing defense, still. (The move) helps to balance the team. We are an offensive-minded team, and now we’re shoring up the defensive zone.”

The switch to defense also means more ice time for Dallaire.

“I can keep him on the ice a little bit longer and we can get him out there a little more often in the rotation,” Gagnon said. “He’s a kid who loves to be on the ice, so he’ll do anything to get on the ice.”

The move hasn’t slowed down Dallaire offensively. He leads Class A with 29 assists, to go along with his 11 goals.

“He’s learned when to pick his spots and be a fourth forward on the ice and when to get back and be a part of the defense,” Gagnon said.

“He sees the ice well and he’s a good distributor of the puck. He’s always played that role on our power play. He plays (at) the top because he can see the ice so well. He kind of quarterbacks our power play.”

Dallaire was in favor of making the move back to defense.

“I want to do as much as I can to contribute to the team,” he said. “It was a good move back. We’re stronger.”

Moving Dallaire back to defense actually has made the Trojans more potent offensively.

“He joins the rush, and not a lot of high school defensemen have that offensive ability,” Maksut said. “(Our opponents) need to focus not only on our forwards, but they now have to focus on him as well.”

Dallaire stands 6-2, and his height helps to make him an extremely effective defenseman.

“He’s definitely tall, and he’s got a long reach,” Gagnon said. “He uses his hips and his body to maintain possession of the puck, and with his reach and his length it’s tough to get around him.”

Dallaire said the time he spent playing forward has helped make him a better defenseman.

“At forward, you have to know where your guys are, and on (defense) it’s the same thing,” he said.

“Usually, you try to beat a defenseman wide. I try to take that away.” 

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:

pbetit@pressherald.com

Twitter: PaulBetitPPH