Sports 08-02-2018

WHS graduate, Paul Pearl selected as new associate head coach for BU hockey

By Jonathan Chang

It’s been a busy summer for Boston University hockey. In May, David Quinn left the program to take on the head coaching job with the New York Rangers, then in June, the Terriers found the replacement, as former associate head coach Albie O’Connell moved up to become the program’s newest head coach.

Filling in O’Connell’s vacancy is Paul Pearl, who joins the Terriers after spending last four years as associate head coach at Harvard. Despite his four-year stint at Harvard, however, this decision is part of Pearl’s coaching expansion, a move that didn’t always seem like it’d happen.

Prior to his stint at Harvard, Pearl helmed Holy Cross for 19 years. When he decided to leave the program in 2014, it didn’t come easy.

“Holy Cross has given me a lot of what I have in my life right now, and I loved it there,” Pearl said. “It was something I thought I needed to try … the whole idea of coaching at a higher level and coaching at the Beanpot and being involved in a big Boston school.”

During his tenure, Pearl guided the Crusaders to the program’s only NCAA Tournament appearances in 2004 and 2006. He also coached baseball between 1999 and 2001 when he became a two-time conference coach of the year.

“He put [Holy Cross] on the map by himself,” said Bob DeFelice, Pearl’s high school football coach and the current athletic director at Bentley. “This was when athletics at Holy Cross hit rock bottom but not hockey.”

When asked if he had ever regretted the decision, his answer was simple: “Never. I never regretted it.”

Pearl said he grew his recruiting horizon at Harvard, a facet he felt he missed on having become a head coach only five years out of college. “You’re on a national title hunt every single year,” Pearl said. “You may get there. You may not. But you’re always expected to get there. When that’s the case, those are the types of players you can attract.”

Now at Boston University, the Terriers will hope Pearl will as effective as he was at Harvard, where he helped the team reach the Frozen Four in 2017.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Paul join our staff,” O’Connell said in the press release. “Paul is one of the best coaches and recruiters in all of college hockey. He has a great experience developing high level student-athletes both on and off the ice, and his passion, personality and experience will allow him to hit the ground running.”

“I think we’ll be really good,” Pearl said. “The team that’s present this year is extremely talented. … I think we have an excellent team, so I hope we’ll be in the mix for all the different leagues and tournaments.”

Member of Winthrop High School Class of 1985, Pearl was a three-sport athlete, who played football, hockey and baseball. Coincidentally, Boston University was his favorite college hockey program as a young athlete, Pearl said.

After graduating from Holy Cross in 1989 with a degree in English, Pearl spent a year in accounting for American Express before going to Portsmouth Abbey School in Portsmouth, Rhode Island as teacher and coach. Eventually, Pearl landed an assistant position at University of Connecticut which jumpstarted his career and set him up for a head coaching position at his alma mater.

 

 

From the Press Box

A Viking Football Tradition

By: Jim Lederman

The New England Patriots opened practice last week and despite the 90-degree temperatures, are you ready for some football?

Coach Jon Cadigan opens practice in three weeks for the 2018 Winthrop Vikings. A strong tradition in Winthrop is the family tradition. Here is a list of some of the families that have helped build the strong winning tradition at Miller Field.

The Murray family – three captains – Dennis, Joe and Matt.  Frank, Bobby and Michael DeFelice, Frank, Chris, Jonathan and Matt Lanza. Jack, coach Sean and Dylan Driscoll. The Palmers, Chris, Anthony and Michael.

Coach Tony, Coach Rich and the two Fucillo quarterbacks, Anthony and James. The DeGregorio’s – Barney, Mark, Paul and cousins, Pat and Richard.

The Eruzione’s – Michael, Michael Jr., Vinny and Vinny Jr. The Ferrara’s – Buster, Frank Jr. and Chris, Paul, Joe, Michael and Chris Ferrara. Michael Magrath and his son Brady.

Frank, Michael and Rob DeMarco. Jimmy, Jimmy Jr. and Justin Barker. Kevin and Jack Dowd.

The MacFarlands – Coach Ed, Curt, Lance and Keith. Alan, Michael and Keith Welch, Chris and Casey Butler.

Jimmy, Michael and Ron Matarazzo,  John and Tyler Gillis. Randy and Peter Herdt, Bob and Doug Milne. Jack, Billy and Richard DiMento. Sheldon and Teddy Bernstein.

Jack and John Sharkey. Robert and Zach Deeb. Patrick and Pat Staff. Steve, Edmund, Jimmy, Billy, Jimmy and Jake Adamson.

John and Sean Gillis, Joe and Matt Duplin. The Spinazzola Gang – Anthony, Ben and Luigi. Ron and Steve Miles, Steve and Jason Calla. Robert, Michael and Matt DeBonis.

Carl and Matt Tarantino, Gus and Anthony Martucci, Jim and James Griffin and John and Sal Tiano.

Joe, Jeff and Jay Peterson, Chuck, Paul and Robert Flanagan.

Jimmy and Kevin English, David and Dave Gallo, Chris and Michael Beattie. Bobby Massa and Grandsons Nick McCarthy and A.J. Massa. David and Dave Tallent, Paul, Al and Timmy Millerick.

Greg and Chris Zikos, Jimmy and John Davie, Patrick and Will Milano. Bobby, Joey and Michael Adelstein, Keith and Matt Stasio. Bob and Brian Breau, Danny and Matt Feeley, Jake and Tyler McKinnon, Michael and Rich Ferrino.  Kenny and Luke Hodgkins, Paul, Mark and Michael Caputo and Alex and Aaron Smith. John and Billy Hayes, and Danny and Chris Godfrey.

The Tradition is Strong!

Let’s Go Vikings!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

Extra Points

Coach Mark D’Ambrosio and 36-Winthrop youth football players attended the All-American Football Showcase at Manning Field on Sunday, July 22.

NFLPA agent Sean Stellato had three of his 18 NFL players at the camp. Brandon King (Number 36) is in his third year as a Patriots special-team safety.

King just signed a new two-year contract worth 2.6 million. Brandon played at Auburn University King had eight special teams tackles and had one tackle in the (41-33) loss to the Eagles in the Super Bowl.

For the past three seasons, King has exemplified the ‘Do Your Job’ mantra coined by Patriots coach Bill Belichick. While King isn’t a regular on the high light reels, he has emerged as a key piece to New England’s Special Teams. This year marks the 20th year since lights were installed at Miller Field.

The 2007 Vikings were the last Winthrop team to play games on Saturday afternoons. This weeks ‘Where Are They Now?’ picture is in today’s edition.

Two new coaches will meet on Friday night, Sept. 21. Sean Driscoll is the new head coach of St. Mary’s of Lynn.

John DiBiaso will face the Spartan’s of St. Mary’s. Coach DiBiaso left Everett after winning 12 Super Bowl titles. John is head coach and assistant athletic director of Catholic Memorial.

Are you ready for some football?

Let the Games Begin!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.