From Tragedy to Triumph: Rhode Island Hockey Team Captures State Title After Unthinkable Loss

A high school hockey team’s championship victory is imbued with profound meaning for a community grappling with grief and trauma, marked by a star player's personal ordeal.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Amidst the deafening cheers and a wave of pride that erupted for his high school hockey team’s championship triumph, Colin Dorgan, captain of the Blackstone Valley Co-op, stood on the ice. The victory, secured by a dramatic goal in quadruple overtime, felt immense, yet three seats in the Rhode Island arena remained conspicuously empty. These belonged to Dorgan's mother, brother, and grandfather, all victims of a fatal shooting just weeks prior.

A Community Shaken

The tragedy struck on February 16, when a shooting erupted in the stands of an ice rink in Pawtucket during a Blackstone Valley Co-op game. The attack claimed the lives of Dorgan's mother, Rhonda Dorgan; his brother, Aidan Dorgan; and his grandfather, Gerald Dorgan, who later died from his wounds. Two other individuals also sustained severe injuries. Police identified Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano, as the shooter, stating the attack was targeted. Bystanders intervened to stop the chaotic assault, and Robert Dorgan ultimately died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The horrific event sent shockwaves through the close-knit hockey community, prompting profound questions about the season's continuation and the path forward.

The Road to Return

In the immediate aftermath, Blackstone Valley head coach Chris Librizzi, a retired firefighter with over 30 years of coaching experience, grappled with the unprecedented challenge. The team took a necessary break, during which Librizzi ensured players participated in 10 days of counseling sessions. He offered each player the option to step away from the ice, while still encouraging them to support the team from the bench or stands if they chose not to play. Despite initial hesitation, every player ultimately returned, including Colin Dorgan, who took the longest to decide.

"I sent Colin a text saying, 'Bud, playoffs are this Friday night, it’s your call,'" Librizzi recounted. "He didn’t respond all day, but at about 9 o’clock at night, he sent me a text saying, 'Coach I’ll see you tomorrow at practice.'" Dorgan credited his sister, Ava Dorgan, who was present at the February 16 shooting but escaped physical harm, as a vital source of strength. "She’s very tough, she’s a tough girl," he said. "And I thank her, because she just totally filled the shoes of my mom."

Fueling a Championship Run

In the weeks following the tragedy, Dorgan, as team captain, not only repeatedly laced up his skates but performed with exceptional drive, helping to propel his team through the playoffs. His determination captured national attention, notably when he scored the game-winning goal in double overtime during a playoff game earlier this month, securing the team's spot in the Division 2 boys’ state championship. Throughout their remarkable run, Dorgan wore a heart patch on his jersey, sewn with the initials of his lost family members. "Throughout all of the playoffs, even this game and the overtimes, I truly felt it in my heart and my soul that they’re still with me," Dorgan stated. "I love them so much."

Ahead of the title match against Lincoln High School, Coach Librizzi reflected on the season's profound significance. Wiping away tears, he shared, "It’s just a game for Lincoln High School and for everybody that’s coming here, but for us who lived through that shooting? It’s our lives. It’s a tragedy we all went through and are still healing from it."

A Cathartic Victory

The championship game, held at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, proved to be an emotional crucible. A raucous crowd applauded, cried, and held their breath through three tense periods. Dorgan himself tied the score, pushing the game into four nerve-wracking overtime periods. Finally, Blackstone Valley’s Jaxon Boyes netted the winning goal, securing a 3-2 victory. The hard-fought win provided a much-needed moment of catharsis for a team that had grappled with unimaginable grief and trauma for weeks. For Colin Dorgan and his teammates, the Division 2 state championship transcended a mere sporting achievement, becoming a testament to resilience, remembrance, and the unwavering power of a community united.

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