Select Board honors LMS hockey teams
Published March 10, 2021
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The next generation of Lynnfield hockey players continues to make the town proud.
Two middle school hockey teams were honored for winning their respective Martian Middle School League championships during last week’s Select Board meeting. The Lady Pioneer Hockey team and the Lynnfield Middle School Grade 5 Boys’ Hockey team were the teams recognized for their achievements on the ice.
“One of the Select Board’s favorite opportunities is taking time to honor the outstanding accomplishments of our residents, especially our children,” said Chairman Chris Barrett. “In this challenging time we are all living through right now, we should all be proud of our children for continuing to excel in and out of the classroom. It gives Select Board members Dick Dalton, Phil Crawford and myself great Pioneer Pride to honor our young boy and girl Pioneers for winning their middle school championships.”
Barrett said the student-athletes on both teams went “above and beyond to continue to make the community so proud.”
“Seeing the smiles on their faces on Zoom reminds me of one of my favorite Bobby Orr comments: ‘The biggest thing we get out of hockey is seeing the kids smile,’” said Barrett. “The smiles on the young Pioneer faces remind us that our future is always bright in the great town of Lynnfield. Brianna Decker, an accomplished female hockey player who has won multiple gold medals and national championships representing the United States of America, has said it best: ‘Don’t let anyone take confidence away from you.’ She proudly lives by the motto: ‘Do whatever it takes.’ Our kids did that to win these championships.”
Barrett also read citations recognizing both teams.
“Participation in athletic endeavors allow the youth of the Lynnfield community to learn the valuable life lessons of teamwork and good sportsmanship, the rewards of dedication and commitment, and the satisfaction obtained by the achievements that come from their application,” said Barrett while reading the citations.
Barrett recalled that the Lady Pioneer Hockey Team concluded the season with a 6-6 record and defeated Austin Prep 11-2 in order to win the Martian Middle School League championship.
“That sounds like a football game,” said Barrett about the championship game’s final score.
Lady Pioneer Hockey Team manager Julie Mitchell said the team consists of eighth-graders Ella Gould, Chloe Gromko and Sarah Powers along with seventh-grader Lilly Alves. The team also includes sixth-graders Mia Daley, Maura Flaws, Lilli McSweeney, Sarah Mitchell, Stephanie Lane and Ellie Underwood as well as fifth-graders Grace Allen, Olivia Braley, Olivia Hurton and Lorna Murphy. Hamilton resident Liv Doucette served as the Lady Pioneers’ goalie.
“This season was really special,” said Mitchell. “Thank you to the Select Board for having us and recognizing the accomplishment of these incredibly talented athletes.”
Mitchell said proud fathers Eric Gould, Scott Gromko, Dan McSweeney and Paul Mitchell did a great job coaching the Lady Pioneer Hockey Team this winter.
“I want to thank the four dads for coaching the team on the bench,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell said the Lady Pioneer Hockey Team made her, the coaches and the players’ families incredibly proud this year.
“This was a particularly tough year with COVID,” said Mitchell. “Hockey was specifically a challenge as several rinks did not allow fans. The girls had to wear masks and faced a lot of obstacles. One of the toughest obstacles for the team this year was the loss of a middle school hockey player from Andover named Sarah Duval. She was a sixth-grader who played in the middle school girls’ hockey community. The loss of Lynnfield Middle School student Sophia Maglione was another sobering reminder for the girls to band together, support each other, make new friends, bond and enjoy this special time they have together.”
Mitchell said the Lady Pioneer Hockey Team’s season was “a really special season for everybody involved.”
“We really enjoyed watching them be successful on the ice,” said Mitchell. “We are honored to be here celebrating their accomplishment.”
Barrett agreed.
“It was a wonderful accomplishment achieved by the girls and the coaches,” said Barrett. “I received a message from Camille Dunn, her husband and Jeff Veglia, who started the first girls’ team a number of years ago. I know it’s a proud moment for them because they really planted those deep roots and that strong foundation. I think the success of the girls’ today is their success also. I know there has been a lot of hard work in the town of Lynnfield in the girls’ hockey program. I am hoping to see them hoist the championship as Lynnfield Pioneers at the high school one day. The girls did a wonderful job.”
The Select Board also honored the Lynnfield Middle School Grade 5 Boys’ Hockey team. Head coach Tim Flynn said the team consists of Brendan Flynn, Michael Barrett, Max Gromko, Davin McClory, Connor Driscoll, Nolan Heffron, Jack Mueller, Mitchell Sieve, CJ Anderson, Luke Mancinelli, Parker Burek, Ryan Burns, Matt Falzarano, Chase McEwen, Will Guertin and Cam Doherty.
The fifth-grade team won the Martian Middle School League championship after defeating the Tri-Town team 7-4. Flynn said he and fellow coaches Kevin Doherty and Mark McEwen along with general manager Mark Driscoll are incredibly proud of the Pioneers for winning the league title.
“We would like to thank the board for recognizing the Lynnfield Pioneers for winning the 2021 Martian Middle School League championship,” said Flynn. “This team showed great fortitude during a particularly difficult year for all of us with COVID-19. These boys’ came to the rink each night with a smile on their face, played together as a team and showed how hard work and a positive attitude pays off.”
Flynn said the Pioneers are looking forward to defending its championship next season.
“We want to continue this great tradition,” Flynn.
Barrett, whose son Michael was one of the boys competing with the Pioneers, said both teams’ accomplishments made the entire town proud.
“Our kids give us so much pride,” said Barrett. “Let’s see two repeats next year. A job well-done everybody.”
