Thanks For A Great Year Boys

Last night was a heart breaker. My hockey team, Arlington Catholic Cougars, lost our first game in the first round of the MIAA Division 1 North State Tournament. We played a good team in Chelmsford, but they're a team we could have and probably should have beaten. Perhaps we were looking too far ahead to the semi-finals against Medford, and maybe even the North Finals, and perhaps even all the way to the State Finals at the Garden. But, I can't make excuses for the boys, and they can't make excuses for themselves. Regardless, we had a great year, and I want to recognize the boys in an honorary post.

First, I just want to say to all of you guys that I had a ton of fun this year. Captains, Matt, Barry, and Jenry, I couldn't have asked for any three guys better fit to lead the team. You other seniors, Alex and Jimmy, you had a great year and I'm glad we got to be on the team together. You all stepped it up when it was most needed, and you set great examples for the younger guys on the team. We had a great four years together in the program, and I'm gonna miss playing with all of you, and I'll miss you all when we go our separate ways to college.

Juniors, OC, Vercillini, DJ, Kehoe, Clemente, Billy, Shawn, Huntie, Ronnie, Blanche, Liam, Chuck, Tim, Bastos, all of you guys, I'm gonna miss you. You guys played your hearts out this year and it's a shame that the season had to end this way. You guys have one more year left, so make it count. You have a chance to do great things next year with this squad and I want to see you make it happen. You're all great guys and I'm glad I got to be a part of the team with you.

Sophomores, Goggin, JL, Cook, Needham, Caira, Haytayan, you guys played great this year as well. I know the last three of you didn't play very much, but when you did you played with balls, heart, and determination, and you showed me and everyone else what you're capable of. Goggin and JL, you guys both had a terrific season. Being named CCL All Sars in your first full year of Varsity is a hell of an accomplishment, and I expect more of the same play I saw this year and last in your last two years. Aaron Cook, what can I say about you kid? You're one of the fastest guys on the team, and you use that to your advantage. You play with guts as well, you go into the corners and battle for the puck like your life depends on it all the time. It's the type of play that helps you succeed, and I want to see more of that in your last two years as well.

To all you freshmen, Snow, Smitty, Spags, Jason, Tierney, Rogers, Jake, you all played well when you played. Snow, Smitty, Spags, you three had great years. You've got a ton of talent, and you guys should put it to use in the next three years. Snow and Smitty, you guys both have a nose for the net. You guys scored some big goals for us this year and I enjoyed watching you guys solidify your spots on the second line. Spags, you're a playmaker kid. you see the ice very well. I may start calling you Matrix. Don't let that talent go to waste man, and don't let it discourage you from scoring either. You're a great player with a ton of talent and a ton of potential and I want to see you tearing it up over your next three years. Jason, you're a good player kid. It's a damn shame about your wrist, I'm sure you would've loved to play. You're talented, and you have a chance to be a consistent contributor on the squad, so make sure you give 110% every second of every shift and you'll be one of the better players. Tierney, Rogers, Jake, you guys only dressed a game or two each, but all three of you have potential, and I can see the talent that you guys have that got you your varsity call ups. Keep working hard and you three will be full time varsity next year. Lastly, to all of you freshmen, remember this feeling. Remember how it feels to lose a playoff game and get sent home. Don't forget how this feels. use it to motivate yourselves, and use to make sure this doesn't happen again.

I want to thank every single one of you guys for a great year. I couldn't have asked for a better group of guys to play with and work with. I enjoyed every second of this season, and nothing will ever come close to replicating the year we had. I'll miss every one of you, and I wish I could go back and do this all over again. I would've given anything to be out there with you guys. I would've given anything for just one more shift. Just one shift. I would've given anything to get one. Don't forget that. Don't forget how lucky you are to be on the squad playing, because the feeling you have when you can't play is one of the worst. Juniors, sophomores, and freshmen, cherish your time here at AC. It goes by so fast, almost like the blink of an eye. Before you know it, you'll be walking out of the locker room like I was last night. In tears, knowing it's the end of your high school career, knowing you could've done more, wishing you could go back to the beginning and do everything over again. Wear the blue and gold with pride every game, and bust your ass and give 150% for every second of every shift you get. Never take a shift off, always give it everything you have in the tank, leave everything out on the ice. You have a chance for something really special next year. Don't waste it.

I'll miss you all, and I wish every one of the best of luck in your AC careers.

I'll never forget that year. 2010 State Champions. I am and always will be an Arlington Catholic Cougar.