Bergeron Brings Stanley Cup to Blackstone Valley Co-op at Saint Raphael Academy
Patrice Bergeron brought the stanley cup to Blackstone Valley Co-op at Saint Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, turning a school visit into a title tribute. The retired Boston Bruins star walked in carrying the trophy and surprised the team as it gathered to be recognized for its Rhode Island Division II state championship.
Bergeron and Saint Raphael Academy
Blackstone Valley Co-op had won the Rhode Island Division II state championship on March 18, beating Lincoln High School 3-2 in four overtimes. Colin Dorgan tied the game with about 30 seconds left in the third period, then had already delivered the winning goal in double overtime in the semifinals.
Bergeron said the team’s path stood out to him. “The amount of resilience and courage they went through all year in order to win, it was a really inspiring story,” he said. He also said, “It was so cool to see their reaction when I came in with the Cup.”
Colin Dorgan and the title night
For Dorgan, the visit landed in the middle of a season shaped by far more than a scoreboard. On Feb. 16, his mother Rhonda Dorgan, brother Aidan Dorgan and grandfather Gerald Dorgan were killed in a shooting in the stands at the team’s Senior Day game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena. Robert Dorgan, his father, was identified by police as the shooter and was also killed.
Chris Librizzi said the group needed the moment together. “It was kind of emotional to see them smile again because they have been in a little bit of doldrum,” he said. “They have been struggling; some kids more than others have been struggling since we had the championship game.”
Blackstone Valley Co-op reunion
The coach called the visit special because it brought the team back together around the trophy it had already earned. “Today it was a special for them all to get together and reunite and have Patrice bring the Cup to them,” Librizzi said.
Colin said the surprise hit immediately. “Today is crazy, from not knowing anything at all to seeing Bergeron walk in with the Cup, I was shocked, I was in awe,” he said. “I never got to see the Stanley Cup before. It’s great to see it now.”
Bergeron, who helped the Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2011, said the visit was as meaningful for him as it was for the team. “To have the opportunity to come here and make their day, also for myself to have a chance to be close to the Cup, is pretty special,” he said. “We were able to bring some smiles along with the Cup.”
