From the Press Box
2017-2018 WHS Vikings Hockey
By: Jim Lederman
The exciting (2017-2018) hockey season for ten seniors on the Vikings team ended at the O’Brien Arena in Woburn on Friday night.
The 14th seeded Wilmington Wildcats upset the sixth seeded Vikings (4-1), in the Division 2 North quarterfinal round. Coach Dale Dunbar summed it up best, “The better team lost tonight,†said the Vikings 13-year mentor.
The Wilmington goaltender senior Ryan St. Jean recorded 35 saves to shut down the Viking offense that scored six goals in the win over Beverly (6-2) on Tuesday night.
A northeast storm that battered the town of Winthrop on Friday, causing power outages and flooding over town, caused many headaches for Winthrop players, families and fans. Why was the game not cancelled? Larsen Rink lost power and Winthrop fans wondered if the Belle Isle Bridge would be closed!
The 10 Winthrop seniors Henry Brooks, Steve Holgersen, Tyler Mignosa, Tyler Marley, Bryce Costin, Jake Adamson, Tyler Chiudina, Michael Lane, Jake Langone and Mike Upton, provided Viking fans, parents and supporters with many thrills and victories over the past year.
A huge crowd of Winthrop fans, the Lady Viking’s hockey team and proud supporters, were on their feet all nig ht cheering for another strong Viking hockey team.
The final record (13-7-2) does not tell the story of a close group of players that did not want to end their Vikings career at O’Brien Arena in Woburn.
The upset victory for the “Wildcats†of Wilmington propelled their team to the semi-final round with a game vs. Stoneham at the ‘Tsongas Arena’ in Lowell.
Junior forward (number 22) Dan Woods had the ‘hat trick’ for Wilmington. Woods started the scoring at 5:53 of the first period to give the ‘Wildcats’ a 1-0 period lead. The Vikings scored on an unassisted Henry Brooks tally in the second period.
The Vikings completely outplayed the Wildcats in the second period; with St. Jean making 18 saves in the period. The crucial goal by Woods on a short-handed situation, with 28.5 seconds to play in the second period was the key play of the game. The Vikings dominated the physical plays of the game and only the spectacular play of the Wilmington netminder was the difference in a thrilling game.
The Vikings entered the ‘big game’ on a roll, winning five out of their last six games and the Winthrop fans were looking for a Vikings victory to extend a season with the ‘five Viking captains,’ showing their leadership over the last month of the year!
The second-seeded Stoneham Spartans (16-4-2) defeated Pentucket (5-0) in the game before Winthrop played. Danvers, the NEC champs and number one seed, were upset by North Andover (5-2).
The Viking seniors were a very ‘close group’ of Winthrop players, with strong support from the parents and hard working hockey boosters with the mothers showing ‘Viking Pride’ and the sportsmanship of another proud Winthrop hockey team.
The Vikings lost junior Cory Cherico in the victory over Beverly. Cory separated his shoulder and he will have surgery this week. The hard working junior was playing on the second line and he was showing tremendous improvement as the Vikings ended the season on a winning streak. Cory was captain of the tennis team and ranked as one of the top players in the NEC.
Cory is one of many sophomores, junior and one outstanding frosh, number 16 – Joey Holgersen that will return to skate for the Vikings at Larsen Rink next hockey season. High scoring Sammy Yarrow will be one of the best players in the conference in (2018-2019).
Brian Chalmers and Luke Evangelista had outstanding seasons for coach Dunbar. Chris Finn will return after an injury slowed him down. Newcomer Mark VanBuskirk returns on defense all-star Ryan Skoczylas, returns in goal (the cheers of “Let’s Go Skotch†could be heard at O’Brien Arenaâ€).
Sophomore Michael Brooks is another promising Viking.
The Vikings had two other sophomores that gained plenty of experience Noah Evangelista and Joe Deeb will be back. The play of ‘Number 16’ – Joey Holgersen will give the Vikings plenty of offense next season!
The prospects are strong!
The Vikings must work hard in the off-season!
Let the Games Begin!
Coach Dale Dunbar Reflects
Coach Dale Dunbar was proud of his team, “My senior players came together and really led by example, on and off the ice,†We lost to a great goaltender (St. Jean-35 saves) on Friday night at Woburn. Captain Henry Brooks showed his team (moving back from forward to defense) and took the team on his back (many goals and key plays). He displayed why he is an “All-Starâ€. Co-captain Tyler Mignosa (“Go Rigsâ€) he is the ‘glue’ for the team and was one of our top leaders. I could not ask more from my team,†praised coach Dunbar.
The Family Tradition
The (2017-2018) was another exciting and successful Winthrop hockey season. WE salute coach Dunbar and his long-time assistant Michael Norris and the coaching staff.
What continues to keep the Viking hockey tradition alive? This season the Vikings had three sets of brothers, playing on the same Viking team.
Captain Henry Brooks and his young brother Michael, follow their dad George and ex-Viking skater. Co-captain Steve Holgersen had frosh stand out Joey (Number 16) skating on the same team. Dad Steve was a NEC all-star football player for coach Bob DeFelice. Noah and Luke Evangelista will return next season. Dad Joe was an ex-Viking skater. Senior Tyler Chiudina was a standout on the Viking Gridiron. His brother Jake played on the 2014 NEC championship football team.
Co-captain Jake Adamson is a Viking three-sport captain. His dad Jimmy played on the 1983 super bowl champions and was NEC baseball MVP.
The Viking Tradition – A “Family Traditionâ€
Let the Games Begin!
Lady Vikings Lose to Woburn
The season ended for the Lady Vikings and coach Anthony ‘Butch’ Martucci. The Vikings had a ‘gallant effort’ but lost to the number two team in Division One and the undefeated (21-0-2) defending state champions (5-1) on Saturday to Woburn.
The billing – David vs. Goliath in the home of the state champs – O’Brien Arena, Woburn.
Coach ‘Butch’ – “We played the defending state champs – they were undefeated and we held our own,†a large city (Woburn) vs. an underdog Viking team. Captain McKayla Norris scored her final Viking goal after a tremendous ‘All-Star’ season. “We lose seven seniors and we will return next year with the goal to win our league and reach the playoffs,†lauded coach Martucci.
The seniors Norris, Grace Carleton, Ashley Miles, Katie O’Shea, Sabrina Demo and Emma Carney. Katie was an NEC “All-Star†with McKayla Norris.
We return for next season three ‘NEC All-Stars’ Bella Perrotti, Abby Stafford and Emma Carleton.
Our 8th grade goalie Summer Tallent was playing like an all-star and will be a future NEC all-star after her ‘super season’ in the net for a Viking team that recorded 13 victories.
The future for the Lady Vikings looks very strong – Coach Martucci works ‘ year round’ developing and coaching young Viking skaters.
We Salute the Lady Vikings!
Let the Games Begin!
The New Coach
I have received many calls concerning the Winthrop high football coaching position! Why did Sean Driscoll lose his job? Who will be the ‘new’ Vikings football coach?
I am pleased to report that Sean Driscoll is the ‘new’ head football coach at St. Mary’s of Lynn. The ‘new head coach of the 2018 Winthrop Vikings should be announced this week.
Stay Tuned!
Sean was Vikings head coach for 11 years. He did an ‘outstanding’ job, won a NEC title in 2014 (his team was undefeated in the NEC (9-0) and finished (10-1).
He had a success vs. arch-rival Revere. He devoted 20 years to Winthrop Vikings football. He will continue as director of recreation and he is one of the best, leading a very strong program.
We salute coach Driscoll and wish him Good Luck!
Go Spartans!
Let the Games Begin!
WHS sports Years
20 years ago
Feb. 26, 1998
The Winthrop High hockey team will open tourney play in the Division 2 North Sectional of the MIAA tournament when the fourth-seeded Vikings meet No. Reading in Stoneham. Winthrop defeated Somerville, 7-2, and tied Revere, 3-3, to wrap up the regular season with a 13-4-1 record.
The WHS girls basketball team will open state tourney play in the Division 3 North Sectional against NEC rival Swampscott. The Lady Vikings concluded their regular season with a 14-6 record.
Winthrop High track star Jaclyn Costonis, the reigning New England champion in the high jump, took third place at the Class D Meet held at the Reggie Lewis Center with a leap of 5’-2â€. Coach Warren MacPhail’s mile relay team of Tammy Riley, Megan Gray, Elizabeth Lewis, and Maria Gambale grabbed second place with a school-record time of 4:11.23.
Winthrop’s ace sprinter, Osha Osilama, took first place in the 50 yard dash  in a time of 5.8 seconds at the Northeastern Conference Meet. A few days later at the state Class D Meet, he dashed to a fourth-place finish in the 55 meter dash in 6.8.
At the NEC Meet, Tony Ferrara took second in the 1000 and John Ferragamo grabbed second in the shot put.
30 years ago
March 1, 1988
The WHS boys basketball team was knocked out of play in the state tournament with a 72-51 loss to Watertown.
Sharon Belliveau finished fourth in the high jump at the State Championship Meet held last Friday at MIT.
40 years ago
March 1, 1978
Coach Bill Falasca’s NEC champion Winthrop High hockey team, which finished the year wth the program’s second best-ever record at 14-2-2, will start play next week in the state tournament.
The WHS boys track team took third place at the Class D state meet. Tony Brogan was the top Viking finisher for coach Rip Dyer’s Vikings with a second place performance in the 300 dash. Junior Tim Corso was third in the 1000 in 2:26.8.
The WHS girls basketball team captured the NEC title with a victory over Saugus. Mary Murphy was the top scorer for the Lady Vikings in the 53-28 rout. Coach Ron Spinney’s squad finished the year at 18-2.
Winthrop High gymnast Jim Corbett was named the MVP of the No. Shore Gymnastics League’s individual championship meet. Teammate John O’Brien received the other coveted trophy at the meet, the Outstanding Performance Award.
50 years ago
Feb. 29, 1968
The WHS hockey team won its fifth straight game, 4-1 over Amesbury, to raise its record to 7-7-1. Capt Hucky Larsen and John McDonald scored two goals apiece for the Vikings.
The WHS basketball team secured second place in the NEC with a 10-4 league record thank to a 77-49 rout of Amesbury in which Winthrop captain Dan Collier led the way with 15 points. Collier ended the season as Winthrop’s top scorer in NEC play with 190 points in the 14 league contests. Kevin English, Dennis Hayes, and Rick Dimes all scored 12 points apiece in the victory.
60 years ago
February 28, 1958
The WHS basketball team, the NEC champion, has earned a bye in the first round of the Class B Tech Tourney. Winthrop will face the winner of the Natick vs. Roslindale contest on Tuesday at the Boston Garden.
70 years ago
February 26, 1948
The WHS basketball team captured its fourth NEC title in the four years in which Winthrop has been a member of the league with a 34-20 win over Danvers. Winthrop, which is 12-1 overall on the season, will face Winchester in the season finale and then await word of its place in the Tech Tourney.
100 years ago
February 29, 1908
The Winthrop High basketball team had an easy time with a 44-8 rout of a team from Providence High