UPDATE: The Essex Tech boys’ hockey team is making headlines as new coach Ryan Sheehan steps into the role with high aspirations, despite facing significant injury challenges. Just announced, the team currently stands at 4-2-1, returning 12 key contributors from last season.
Sheehan, a 2004 Lynnfield graduate and former coach of Triton for nine seasons, has taken over from Mark Leonard, a Hall of Famer who retired to support his son’s hockey career. “It was time for a change,” Sheehan stated about joining the emerging Hawks program, which has built a strong foundation.
Currently, the Hawks are grappling with injuries to three of their four captains: Teddy Tsoutsouris from Peabody, Brian Delisio from Danvers, and Ben Rehal from Beverly. This has placed the spotlight on Cam Casey, a Beverly resident who is stepping up as a key voice in the locker room. “We have some good underclassmen who’ve stepped up and played well,” Casey remarked, highlighting the team’s resilience.
With a busy schedule ahead, the Hawks are set to face their league opponents, including two critical matchups against Sheehan’s former team, the Triton Vikings, on January 10 and February 11. The Vikings are currently struggling at 0-6, having appointed one of Sheehan’s former players, Samuel Rennick, as their new coach. “I anticipate a little bit of animosity, but we didn’t go out on bad terms,” Sheehan noted, indicating a competitive spirit in these upcoming games.
In addition to their Cape Ann League schedule, the Hawks are maintaining a strong nonleague presence, recently finishing as runners-up in the Ray Kenney Classic, and they have a matchup with reigning Division 3 champion Nauset scheduled for February 1.
Sheehan praised his co-coaches, Bob Hawkes and Marc Bastarache, for their seamless transition into the coaching staff. “There’s good organization at the school. The guys have really taken the coaching and we’ve got them off and running,” he said, emphasizing the solid foundation of the program.
While the Hawks navigate their challenges, other notable achievements in the hockey world include Tyler Bourgea of Tewksbury, who recently became the program’s career scoring leader with 66 goals during an 8-0 victory at the Gorham Holiday Classic. His next target is the all-time points record of 146, currently sitting at 143.
This weekend promises to be thrilling, with key matchups across various leagues, including a highly anticipated game between No. 5 Arlington and No. 12 Winchester on Saturday at 2 p.m. at O’Brien Rink.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Essex Tech boys’ hockey team continues to fight through adversity while aiming for success on the ice.
