Date: June 4, 2003
Contact: Candace Ouillette Gaumond
(413) 599-4785
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CATHEDRAL PANTHERS ICE HOCKEY WINS DIVISION I STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

The Panthers Ice Hockey Team is the first ice hockey team to win the Division I State Championship since 1952. On April 30, 2003, the Springfield Legislative Delegation sponsored a field trip to the Massachusetts State House to honor Cathedral High School’s Division I State Champions.

The hockey team players received a VIP tour of the State House with one of Speaker Finneran’s top aides, Jim Horrigan. While on the tour, the students and their coaches got an opportunity of a lifetime when they were able to go down on to the Massachusetts House of Representative’s Chamber floor and sit at some of the Representative’s desks.

Before the end of the State House visit, the Panthers’ were honored by the delegation with a complimentary pizza party in one of the State House Committee Hearing Rooms. Additionally, the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts State Senate recognized each hockey player with official citations for their outstanding achievement and contribution to the Cathedral High School hockey team and its 2002-2003 season, which led to an historic victory for the school and western Massachusetts.

“This visit to the State House was a tremendous experience for the entire team. It gave the team an opportunity to be together and reflect on our achievements. The recognition the team and coaches received that day by the Legislature really put our accomplishment into perspective,” exclaimed Head Coach Edgar Alejandro. Alejandro has been the Panthers’ head coach for the past 13 years. He has a 161-73-25 regular season record and 26-12 in Tournament play.

The Panthers’ have won two state titles, two Division I South Championships and a trip to the Elite Eight. Alejandro credits the team’s success over the years in large part to long time assistant coach David Fenton, a Cathedral graduate and star player at Salem State. “Coach Fenton not only knows the game as well or better than most, he is also a very good teacher who relates well to the players,” stated Alejandro. David Fenton along with first year assistant coach, Tim Sears, were also on hand for the trip the State House.

Alejandro further reflected on the trip by commenting that, “on the bus ride home from Boston, the boys spoke about their experience at State House and concluded that they were proud to have the opportunity to represent and bring notable honor to Western Massachusetts. This was an opportunity of a lifetime, which would never have been possible without the recognition and efforts of Representative Candaras and the Springfield Delegation.”

The visit to the State House was speared headed by State Representative Gale D. Candaras. “I was proud and delighted to coordinate a day at the State House where the Cathedral High School Hockey players could be officially honored for their outstanding accomplishment. Their capture of the Division I State Title is an historic feat for Western Massachusetts and the entire Commonwealth. I was eager to bring these talented young men to the State House and have them recognized by my colleagues around the state for the champions they are,” Candaras stated.

Candaras called upon other members of the Springfield delegation to assist in sponsoring the State House trips. Senator Linda Melconian, Senator Brian P. Lees, Representative Buonconti, Representative Asselin, Representative Rivera and Representative Rogeness were quick to join the celebration to honor Cathedral High School’s champions.