Gretchen Howard receives top goalie award for 2016 HNIB
Winthrop High student Gretchen Howard received a direct invitation to participate as the goalie for the Mass Public/Catholic Team in the 22nd Annual Girls Major Showcase of Hockey Night in Boston, a major premier showcase for female hockey players. Gretchen’s team won the 2016 Hockey Night in Boston championship, playing a six-game series and beating the Central Team in a tense 2-1 game of very fast -paced hockey.
Gretchen was selected for the HNIB All Star Team Red and again her team won the All Star Game. With four shutouts and a total of only three goals allowed in a six game series, Gretchen emerged as the award winner of Top Goalie for the 2016 HNIB Showcase.
Gretchen is looking forward to her continued training schedule with her goalie coach as well as her fall hockey season with the Walpole Express. Â She plans to continue to play hockey in college where she will study Nursing.
From The Press Box
Nellie Huckins
By: Jim Lederman
The New England Patriots opened “camp†July 27t6h. The Winthrop Vikings open ‘camp’ on August 19th. Do you remember when the Vikings opened ‘Football Camp’ in New Hampshire?
The Vikings traveled to “Camp Nellie Huckins†in Freedom, New Hampshire, for t heir first cam pin 1971. Coach Bob DeFelice welcomed players to cam p in his second year as Vikings head coach.
The Transcript used to get daily reports from the legendary Bob Remer from Nellie Huckins. The late Lefty DeFelice used to share a cabin with Bob Remer.
Freedom, New Hampshire is located close to Ossipee Lake off Route 25. Two local residents Billy Floyd and Nick Naso have homes in Freedom.
The 1971 Vikings had a very successful camp and a thrilling season (8-1) their only loss to JEC champion the ‘Big Blue’ of Swampscott. This team set the foundation for the success of the Winthrop football program for the past 45 years!
The 1978 Vikings captured the first NEC title. For coach Bob DeFelice, the Vikings established a NEC record 33-game unbeaten streak that will never be broken!
The 1971 Vikings had a high scoring team, led by quarterback Pat DeGregorio, the ‘Double Dees’ – Mark DeGregorio and Michael DeMarco. Mark the “Bolt of Steel†established rushing records at the University of Maine, Michael played at UNH. Mike Eruzione was an NEC All-Star defensive back.
Jim Davie was captain, his twin brother John played end. Michael Welch played end and played in the Ivy League at U Penn. David Lessard was a tackle and played at Lafayette.
Chuck Flanagan was a guard and an outstanding linebacker, who played Bridgewater State. David Belcher, Ricky Ciampa, Franny Driscoll and Mike Poirier were other standouts.
The Vikings lost a close controversial game at Swampscott. The Vikings and Big Blue were tied just before the final play before halftime. Pat DeGregorio scored but he play was nullified and the capacity crowd at Blocksidge Field was treated to a ‘Classic.’
The Streak
The Vikings defeated Revere (20-0) on Thanksgiving 1980. That started a 33-game unbeaten streak.
The 1981 Vikings (11-0) won the 1981 Super Bowl and defeated Revere (49-13). The Vikings had division one players and was the greatest team in Vikings history.
The 1982 team (10-0) defeated Revere (41-0) and lost a chance to win their second consecutive Super Bowl, by not qualifying by one-one hundredth of a point in the old point system. The Vikings were led by highs scoring halfbacks Jimmy Gillis and Steve Staffier.
The defense was led by the line-backing trio of John Gillis, Jimmy Barker and Rich Driver. Alan Arcadipane was Viking captain.
The 1983 Vikings (11-0-1) defeated Xaverian in the super bowl played at Foxborough. The ‘Streak’ is a NEC record and even in the ‘Glory Days’ of Swampscott football, with players like Dick Jauron, never equaled a 33-game unbeaten streak!
Let the Games Begin!
Extra Points
I spoke with Taylor Thomas enjoying an ice cream at Twist and Shake. Taylor had a stellar year on the mound for the Lady Vikings softball team. She will head north to Rivier College in New Hampshire to continue her softball career.
Coach Sean Driscoll’s Vikings begin practice n ext Friday for the exciting 2016 football season.
Kudos to the construction company building the new Veteran’s Field Baseball Field. The Vikings will practice at the new field and their return to the new locker room at the new WHS Complex will be inspiring.