The high school fall sports season is now in the rearview mirror for the Marblehead Magicians, and the winter teams are just beginning their seasons. The first day of practice got underway on Monday.
This brief break in the sports calendar from actual games gives local sports fans a chance to catch their breath, before setting aside four days each week — mostly Tuesdays through Saturdays — to watch their favorite athletes participate in basketball, track, wrestling, gymnastics and hockey.
Every season is different with new challenges for the athletes. On the boys hockey front, for example, there’s a new coach for the players to get used to, just two years removed from capturing the program’s second state title.
Brendan Locke is taking over for Mark Marfione, who left for an administrative position at Brookline High School, where he will also be its hockey coach. Marfione will always be remembered here in Marblehead as a state championship-winning coach, but Locke has also had his share of successes locally as a middle school and an assistant varsity coach after getting his start behind the bench as a coach in Marblehead Youth Hockey.
The former Merrimack College hockey captain and Philadelphia Flyer draft choice is now going to begin his Marblehead High School varsity head coaching career at the mecca of USA Hockey in Lake Placid, New York, where the 1980 U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team shocked the world after winning the gold medal.
After a couple of scrimmages against Lynnfield (Dec. 6, at Peabody, noon) and Amesbury (Dec. 8, at Salem State, 7 p.m.), Locke will be taking his Hockey Headers to Lake Placid to open up the Northeastern Conference season against Winthrop. They will be playing two games against the Vikings there on Dec. 12 (7 p.m.) and Dec. 13 (1 p.m.).
“I’m excited for our student-athletes and the Marblehead boys ice hockey program,” Locke said. “Competing at the Herb Brooks Arena is going to be special, knowing that we are skating on the same ice as the 1980 Olympic gold medal-winning team. It is an incredible opportunity for our team to experience playing in a venue with that kind of history, and if you love hockey, it has to put a smile on your face. To kick off my tenure as the team’s head coach in Lake Placid is an honor, and it highlights the pride and responsibility that come with playing and coaching for Marblehead High School.”
It’s really not a coincidence that Marblehead is teaming up with Winthrop. Back in 2010, the Headers accepted the Vikings’ invitation to play at Fenway Park as a part of the National Hockey League’s Winter Classic that year.
“Winthrop High School has always been a great partner, and we are grateful for the experiences that they have provided our program over the years,” said Locke. “Competing against a school and community as storied as Winthrop creates a healthy rivalry. It also (provides) great competition between both schools, not to mention the many memorable moments that the players will get from it.”
These games are fully approved by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association and will count in the standings. MIAA-approved referees will also be employed for both games.
Dale Dunbar, longtime Winthrop coach, worked with Mike Eruzione, the captain of that 1980 squad, to set up this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Both Dale and Mike are Winthrop natives, so they fully understand the history of high school hockey in their community.
“Mike has already organized a special presentation and tour of the Herb Brooks Arena for our team,” said Locke. “MHS Athletic Director, Kent Wheeler has been behind this trip from the beginning after the School Committee approved it.”
All costs will be shared equally by each program, and donations for the trip are being raised through generous community support and fundraising efforts in both towns.
Some of Marblehead’s fundraising efforts included a car wash in September, and a joint effort with the girls high school team in partnership with Marblehead Youth Hockey during the annual Saint Lambert’s Exchange Weekend last month. Friends of Marblehead Hockey is also helping out by allowing the community to donate directly to the boys high school team via National Grand Bank, which is still going on if you still want to help out the cause.
