Phil Boncore’s performance through the playoffs was impressive, uplifting
By Cary Shuman
Each time Winthrop High hockey captain Phil Boncore tells the story of his team’s state championship season and his extraordinary assist on the game’s all-important first goal, it will grow in stature and enhancement.
“The whole town was inside the Garden, and the atmosphere was electric,” Boncore will begin his tale at a family gathering or class reunion years from now. “We were in a tense 0-0 struggle with Dedham, and we needed to make something happen. So, I corraled the puck along the boards near center ice, stickhandled into the zone, and there was a maze of Dedham players everywhere in my path, clutching at me, grabbing by jersey, and even one kid tackling me at the doorstep to the crease. I fought them off one by one but kept control of the puck. I knew deep in my heart, that if I could somehow get the puck to my friend, classmate, and linemate [Michael Holgersen], he’d finish it off like he always does.”
That’s our version of the Boncore-to-Holgersen game-winning goal story, though Phil will have the ultimate say.
We respectfully called him “Mr. March” for his postseason brilliance, and Phil Boncore was again a tour-de-force at the Garden. He and his linemates, Mike Holgersen and Joe Pumphret, were dominant, notably on defense as well. Boncore also consistently carried the puck through center ice and created opportunities at the other end.
“Phil was a beast the whole playoffs,” credited head coach Dale Dunbar. “Look at his goals – they’ve all been meaningful goals. He took it to a whole different level. I don’t think he even knew what he could bring, that he even had another level. His commitment on and off the ice was incredible. He was very loud and boisterous in the locker room making sure the guys were ready. He held himself accountable and held everybody else accountable. We had great leadership – Boncore, Holgersen, and Donny [Michael Donahue] – our captains were really dialed in.”
Boncore also drew commendation from Winthrop’s other head hockey coach, Butch Martucci, leader of the girls’ program.
“I played hockey at Winthrop High with Phil’s father [Rob Boncore] and he was a hard-nosed defender, and Phil and my daughter [Northeast League MVP Talia Martucci] grew up together,” said Butch Martucci. “Phil’s just fantastic. He’s got the skills. He’s got size. He hits. He’s Cam Neely (who just happens to be Dale Dunbar’s former teammate in the Vancouver Canucks’ organization).”
Martucci described Boncore’s assist as “unreal.”
“The fact that he was able to see [Holgersen] over there, when he was being hauled down because he had three guys on his back – and remember Mikey Holgersen is tremendous as well so you have a dynamic duo, that’s Batman and Robin, it’s an unbelievable combination.”
Martucci said he never had the opportunity to coach Phil Boncore, but he has always admired his game.
“I’ve been watching him play hockey since he was a little kid,” said Martucci. “He was great in school and in sports. He played linebacker for football, so you need speed and toughness to play that position. He’s a rare athlete, that’s for sure.”
Martucci also congratulated Dale Dunbar and Mike Norris and the Winthrop coaching staff including Mike Eruzione, Phil Lundberg, Chris Finn, Billy Hayes, and Ryan Skoczylas.
“I’m just so happy for Dale Dunbar and Mike Norris – they’re probably the best coaching duo since Ron Spinney and one of my favorites of all time, Mr. [Jim] Nimblett. Those two guys won a ton together, and Dale and Mike are the same kind of guys, just great people that work so hard and care so much for not only the kids, but for the town and the school. I’m so happy for all the kids.”
Meanwhile, Phil Boncore has traded in his skates for cleats as “Mr. March” begins his twelfth consecutive varsity season as a member of the Winthrop High School baseball team.
So, there are still games to be won and new stories to emerge.