HOUSE RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY SCHOOLS (BVS) BOYS CO-OP TEAM ON WINNING THE RHODE ISLAND DIVISION II HIGH SCHOOL STATE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
CONGRATULATING THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY SCHOOLS (BVS) BOYS CO-OP
TEAM ON WINNING THE RHODE ISLAND DIVISION II HIGH SCHOOL STATE
HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP

Introduced By:
Representatives Newberry, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Corvese,
Chippendale, Kennedy, Tanzi, Ajello, Shallcross Smith, and Boylan

Date Introduced:
March 31, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, The Blackstone Valley Schools Boys Co-Op ice hockey team’s 2026 victory
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in the Rhode Island Division II Boys Ice Hockey Tournament was one for the ages and the
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history books as they overcame adversity and great tragedy to emerge victorious in a storybook
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moment that touched the hearts of all Rhode Islanders and many people across the nation; and
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WHEREAS, After the horrific and tragic shooting a month earlier that resulted in the loss
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of three lives at the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, it was unimaginable to believe that the young men
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on this team could possibly pick up the pieces in such a short time and play competitive hockey
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again. However, thanks to the incredible leadership provided by head Coach Chris Librizzi, who
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somehow held the team together and built it back up, and the incredible resilience of these young
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men, the BVS Co-Op not only returned to playing hockey, but they put together a winning streak
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that will be forever remembered not only in the annals of Rhode Island sports, but within the
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history of American sports; and
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WHEREAS, After dispatching the RMT Co-Op Ice Hockey Team in a two-game sweep
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of the first round of the 2026 Rhode Island Boys Division II Ice Hockey Tournament, the BVS
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squad met Portsmouth High in a semi-final match that resulted in a thrilling, double overtime
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game. Senior Colin Dorgan, who less than a month earlier had lost three members of his family in
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a senseless shooting incident, received a pass at center ice in double overtime and from the slot
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blasted the puck through the Portsmouth goalie’s pads to end the game and send the BVS co-op
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team to the championship game. In an instant, Colin Dorgan became a national hero as people

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across the nation erupted in joy upon learning of his achievement; and
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WHEREAS, In a championship game every bit as thrilling as the BVS victory over
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Portsmouth in the semi-finals, the underdog BVS squad continued its magical run by defeating
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Lincoln High School by the score of 3-2 in four overtimes. Things were looking bleak for BVS
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late in the third period as they trailed 0-2 with only 6 minutes left in the game, before they made a
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roaring comeback. First, Caden Rudek cut the lead in half when he scored with 5:37 left in the
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game. The next big moment seemed like a scene from a Hollywood movie as, after pulling their
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goalie with 53.7 seconds left, Colin Dorgan repeated his heroics on ice when he blasted home a
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clutch game-tying goal with 23 seconds left. The drama continued into the 4th overtime and
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finally ended when Jason Boyes won the game for BVS, and the title, with 5:53 left in the fourth
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overtime; and
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WHEREAS, Winning a State Title in a team sport is an incredible achievement that
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requires that every player on the team give their all while at the same time always placing team
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goals ahead of individual desires. The 2026 BVS Cop-OP Boys Ice Hockey Team had that
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mindset in abundance as they were led all season by the outstanding play provided by Jacob
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Faria, Nick Rivard, Michael Mon, Drew Silva, Cam Governo, Declan St. Vincent, Jaxon Boyes,
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Nick Bianchi, Preston Manning, Tommy Decataldo, Thomas Fournier, Brody Laliberte, Avery
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Hueston, Colin Dorgan, Alex Pickering, Martin Ayo-Populos, Caden Rudek, Jameson Cordeiro,
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Alex Gosselin, Benjamin Brooks, Chole Corey, Joey Palmer, Tyler Amore, Jason Scott, Logan
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Lang and Matt Palmer; and
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WHEREAS, The 2025-2026 BVS Co-Op Team was also blessed this season to have the
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outstanding coaching and leadership provided by Head Coach Chris Librizzi, and Assistant
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Coaches Michael Cienava, Nick Gustafson, Chris Lambert, Seth Pickering, and Assistant Coach
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and JV Coach Steve Wowk; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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heartily and joyously congratulates the Blackstone Valley Schools Boys Co-Op Ice Hockey Team
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on winning the Rhode Island 2026 Division II State Championship; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to BVS Head Coach Chris Librizzi and the entire
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roster and coaches of the Blackstone Valley Schools Boys Co-Op hockey team.
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