Special to the Transcript
Winthrop Youth Hockey recently presented its George Barker Award to Larsen Rink’s Anthony ‘Zibby’ Puleio, recognizing Puleio’s longtime support of local youth players.
In 2012, Winthrop Youth Hockey created the George Barker Award, honoring those who have shown exceptional longtime dedication to Winthrop Youth Hockey’s players. Since 1985, Barker has been an instructor in Winthrop’s Learn-to-Skate Clinic, developing the requisite skating skills for the local youth to move on to Winthrop Youth Hockey’s teams. Some past Clinic participants have later enjoyed success as members of the boys and girls teams at Winthrop High School and other high school programs, and some have further advanced on to college teams.
Coincidentally, in about 2012, Larsen Rink hired Puleio, known far and wide as ‘Zibby.’ Upon moving from Boston’s North End to Winthrop, Puleio brought his many years of experience as a member of Boston Garden’s famed Bull Gang, and immediately ingratiated himself into Winthrop’s hockey family. His magnetic personality was an instant fit at Larsen Rink, and both adults and children who come into the rink inevitably stop into the office to say hello. Puleio’s impact on Winthrop Youth Hockey has become most apparent in the last month, as since the passing of his wife, Sandra, he has received a remarkable outpouring of support from his Winthrop hockey family.
Puleio had previously volunteered as the Commissioner of the Mite/Mite Development/Learn-to-Skate Divisions of Winthrop Youth Hockey.
In receiving the George Barker Award, Puleio joined past winners, Sean Donahue, Anthony Martucci, Steve Rogers, and Sean Carleton.