Spartans To Play In NHL Pre-Draft Showcase
Four top Savio Spartan Players will be participating in the Pre-Draft Showcase this weekend. Team and League MVP Brendon Ryan, and playoff heroes Alex Robinson, Michael Carr and Michael Woods will be playing for the John Cunniff Club. while Evan Yanovitch who this site feels is one of the best players in the state will suit up for Mike Addessa's Seacoast Saints. The showcase gives top players from North America an opportunity to showcase their talents in font of College, Jr. League and pro scouts. We will be following the Spartans in every game. Good Luck Guys. Check out all the action at http://www.proamhockey.com/ and click pre-draft on left column.

Where Are They Going Next Year
This web site would like to hear where Spartan players will be going to next year - either from seniors who will be moving on or from undergrads who are transferring. Of course this is based on the assumption that Savio remains open. 

Senior Peter Flaherty - University of Maine - - Great work Pete Senior William Langan - Curry College - - Good Luck Captain Bill Senior Alex Robinson - Suffolk University -- Several Good Savio players in the past A-Rob should do well Freshman Salvatore Tecci - Thayer Academy - - Trying his luck at DI Prep Congrats! Thanks Lace!! Junior Michael Carr - Arch Bishop Williams - Looks like Mr. Clutch is headed the DI Catholic Conference team - The Archies grabbed a winner - Good Luck Mook Junior Evan Yanovitch - Malden Catholic - EY will finally get his chance to showcase his talents against top competition - Serino got lucky - MC needs a super star after looking bad in the Super 8. Kudos EY, just keep driving the bus. Please send us an email, Dave, Brendon, Woodsy and Yetty and others who are rumored to be transferring! We would also like to know where are supporters are headed.

Savio Net Minder Salvatore Tecci Selected to Nationals
Savio Prep Spartan Freshman goal tender Salvatore Tecci was selected to attend the USA Hockey U16 National Development Camp in Rochester NY in the last week of June. Tecci, coming off a great season that saw him collect the unofficial record of 21 wins by a freshman goalie in MIAA Hockey history, had to beat out the state's top goalies in his age group to get the honor of representing Massachusetts at the Nationals Festival. Tecci will be competing against the top U16 players in the country in front of numerous college and professional scouts. This is just another in the many accolades that Savio players are receiving. Senior Brendon Ryan was named Herald All-Scholastic and League MVP.  In addition, Spartan senior Peter Flaherty won the Hobie baker Award.

Congratulations go to Savio's own Salvatore Tecci who will be attending Thayer Academy next year.

 

Hockey Banquet Caps Off Great Season
There was no better way to celebrate the Spartans highly successful year than to have a banquet with great food and great friends commemorating a great season. This year was truly a memorable one for all the players, coaches and parents. We had a team embody a never say surrender attitude led by a group of dedicated coaches and supported by an army of family and alumni. Wow! What a year.

Coach Joseph Ciccarello made sure that the banquet was the coup de gras , the frosting on the cake and the finishing touch to this unbelievable season. From his heart-felt presentations to each player to his relaying of comments from friends; from his colorful video show capsulation of the season to his tribute to the coaching staff, Coach Ciccarello awarded us all with a memorable ending to this memorable season. One of his more touching moments was when he relayed to us how a friend of his approached him after the Weston win and thanked him. When the coached questioned his friend on why he was thanking him the friend retorted, "because my son was with me and for the rest of his life all I have to do to teach him never to give up is to remind him about the Savio hockey team." Wow! What more can you say. Isn't that what we pray that our children will do - leave a positive impact on other people. I have said it before and I will keep saying it, I hope that our children understand how proud we are of them.

Back to the Banquet. Each player received a team photo that was taken after they came from behind to beat Weston for the North Regional Championship. Each player also received a Savio Prep certificate School Letter and a Championship certificate from the MIAA. Individual players received awards for their accomplishments. The team had eight league all stars - David Chiaradonna, Alex Robinson, Michael Woods, Michael Carr, Brendon Ryan, Evan Yanovitch, Robert Lerro and Salvatore Tecci. Brendon Ryan was recognized as being selected a Boston Herald All-Scholastic and the League MVP. In addition, he received a plaque for being named team MVP by the coaches. Peter Flaherty received a plaque for winning the Hobie Baker award. Michael Lacey received the 'Coaches Award and Alex Robinson was selected as the Team's "Unsung Hero". After all the players received their recognition, captains Alex Robinson, Michael Lacey and Billy Langan presented the coach with a mounted poster of the championship celebration autographed by all the players and coaches. The coach finished the evening celebration with a highly entertaining and touching video documenting some of the more memorable highlights of this season. It was a great evening where many friends got one last opportunity to relive a wonderful year. On behalf of this web site I would like to thank all the great friends that become a part of our lives. There will never be another year like this. We will cherish it forever.

Captains Bill Langan, Michael Lacey and Alex Robinson presenting  Coach Ciccarello with autographed poster of regional Championship.

Captain Michael Lacey received the 'Coaches Award'

Captain Alex Robinson was named 'Unsung Player'

Peter Flaherty received the 'Hobie Baker Award'

Brendon Ryan named 'Herald All-Scholastic, Team and League MVP'

Central Catholic League DII All Stars (Kneeling L-R) David Chiaradonna, Salvatore Tecci, Michael Woods and Michael Carr (Standing L-R) Head Coach Joseph Ciccarello, Team Manger Ron DeStefano, Alex Robinson, Robert Lerro, Evan Yanovitch, Brendon Ryan and Coach James Mosca

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Brendon Ryan Named Herald All-Scholastic

Congratulations to Savio Prep Spartan Brendon Ryan for being named to the Boston Herald 2006-2007 All-Scholastic team. Ryan, a senior who transferred from Malden Catholic, was one of the driving forces for this season's highly successful team. He was the CCL DII league MVP and league all-star. Ryan worked hard every game and was one of the team's leading scorers. Along with line mates Alex Robinson and Michael Carr, Ryan logged plenty of ice time on the first unit. Ryan earned and deserved the honors. This web sites cited Ryan as one of the Spartan players that was snubbed by the Globe selections (see below article). This ward caps off a fantastic season for Ryan and the entire Savio program.

Brendon Ryan ready to face off against Trinity Catholic

The Season Ending Spartan Web Awards
Here are the winners of the Spartan Web Awards for the 206-2007 season. There are a few repeat winners from the previous awards (see Team News Page). The awards are for players' performances  and are based solely on my opinion. 

• Most Improved Player  - George Costa. We knew George had the tools but as a young Sophomore, we didn't know if he was ready to bring them to the table. He did - big time.

• Most Pleasant Surprise - Peter Flaherty. The team had several defense men that were made of the same mold. But, Peter was steady all year and although he has a happy-go-lucky attitude, he played tough at the blue line. 

• Most Unexpected Performance -  Daniel Conroy. Scrappy was thrust into an important role early in the season when the coach decided to move Yanovitch back to D and Danny to wing on a line with two heralded transfers. Danny performed admirably and scored several important goals.

• Most Under Rated Performance - Alex Robinson. Al played with the high scoring duo of Carr and Ryan and his contributions to their performance and his work on penalty kills may have gone unnoticed by outside observers.

• Most Hustle Performance -  Repeat - Michael Carr, Alex Robinson and Brendon Ryan. No explanation needed these guys are transformers on ice.

• Most Unselfish Performance - William Langan. The captain kept quiet and did what ever the coach asked with out any complaints.

• Most Appreciated Performance - Salvatore Tecci. A freshman with a little rep coming to a seasoned team and he lived up to his billing.

• Most Unheralded Performance - Michael Lacey. Lace was a rock back on defense and his tenacious attitude and performances were unheralded all season.

• Most Needed Performance - Tie - Robert Lerro and Evan Yanovitch. These two special players could start for any team in the state. They logged unbelievable amounts of time in every game. The team would not have been successful with out them.

• Most Important Performance - Brendon Ryan. All we can say is that MC must be kicking themselves. He was co-MVP of the CCL DII league. He was one of the team's leading scorers and important players.

• Most Consistent Performance - Michael Carr. Game after game Mook was there scoring goals, killing penalties and inspiring his teammates.

• Best Repeat Performance - Michael Carr. Scoring dramatic goals last season and then coming back to do it again this season. C'mon Mook put the 'S' on your cape.

• Best New Performance - Tie - Brendon Ryan, David Chiaradonna and Michael Woods. Let's see... hmmm... MC... hmmm... Stoneham... and hmmm... AC... hmmm... what did those teams do this year with out them... hmmm not much.

• Best Rookie Performance - Salvatore Tecci. He's a freshman, he's a freshman, he's a freshman.

• Best Pinch Hitting Performance - Tie - Joseph Camiolo  and George Costa. These players stepped it up when the coach needed them to fill in on either the first or second lines. George proved to be a big presence on the ice and Cam used his speed to disrupt and create i.e. he stole the puck in overtime vs. CC and fed Woodsy who scored the winning goal.  

• Most Dazzling Performance - Evan Yanovitch. C'mon who doesn't think that his end to end rushes and his whirling around the net to get his motor running don't remind you a little bit of #4.

• Most Thrilling Performance - The Team vs. Concord/Carlisle and Weston. Games for the ages.

• Most Confusing Performance - The team for getting too many penalties most games.

• Most Over-Worked and Under Paid Performance - Coach Ciccarello and his staff. This is a no brainer. These men, Joseph Ciccarello, James, Mosca, Mike Armata, Jay Whalen, Ron DeStefano, Paul Capurso and Bob Alioto, dedicated their lives not just to this team but to the program for close to a decade. Their love for Savio transcended any monetary rewards they could have received elsewhere.. They gave unselfishly and undeterred and are worth millions.

• Most Jazzy Goals -  David Chiaradonna. He might not be a gazelle, but that giraffe like reach and herky-jerky stride made many goalies look foolish when he faked them out of their shells.

• Best Goals - Michael Woods. He is sniper on ice. His wrist shot and attacks on the net were special.

• Most Obvious Important Goals - Tie - Michael Woods and David Chiaradonna enough said.

• Most Unnoticed Important Goals - Evan Yanovitch. He scored goals in many important games that went unnoticed. 

• Most Thrilling Saves - Salvatore Tecci.

• Most Amazing Statistic -  21 Wins

• Biggest Hits - Michael Lacey. Ba-boom your down.

• Ugliest Hit - To Robert Lerro twice to his n..ts

• Most Interesting Fact - Spartans winning the CC DII league for the first time since 1978 - Coach Mosca's senior year and repeating as winner's of the North Region.

• Most Valuable Player - Too tough to call. There were many thrilling victories and important goals scored by players such as Michael Woods, Michael Carr and David Chiaradonna.  Brendon Ryan was immense this year coming over from MC, a school that may of won a Super 8 game if they had him. Salvatore Tecci, a freshman, stole some games for the Spartans. Robert Lerro played untold important minutes on defense. When Evan Yanovitch stepped into high gear, he propelled the team. So, even though I am not one to take the easy way out, I have to say that this category is TOO CLOSE TO CALL. If you were to pick any one of the above mentioned, no one could argue.

Hockey Dinner Slated for April 12th
Savio Prep Spartans' hockey teams' break up dinner will be held Thursday, April 12^th at The Orient Heights Yacht Club at 7pm. This should be a great time and let's hope that it is not the last one. SOS!

Hockey Uniforms Must Be Returned
Important notice. The Spartan hockey team equipment and uniforms must be returned ASAP to the principals office.

Spartans Selected Globe/Herald League All Stars
Savio Prep Spartans dominated  the Boston Globe and Boston Herald Central Catholic League DII all-star selections by having six players named to the squad. The Spartan all-stars were senior forwards  Brendon Ryan, David Chiaradonna and assistant captain Alex Robinson, junior forward Michael Carr, junior defense men Robert Lerro and Evan Yanovitch, sophomore center Michael Woods along with freshman net minder Salvatore Tecci. Congratulations to all the players.  and

Our Opinion...
Head Coach Joseph Ciccarello should have been tapped as the Division 3 'Coach of the Year'. He has guided four consecutive teams to the regional finals. His team won the North Region the last two years and each year he lost at least 8 players. It is not as if he kept the team together like the coaches that were selected by the Globe who had the luxury and having teams loaded with returning seniors... Several players were snubbed as All-Scholastics. You could make a case for Brendon Ryan the CCL DII MVP, Michael Carr the team leading scorer who was immense in the playoffs, both defense men Robert Lerro and Evan Yanovitch who carried much of the defensive load for this winning team and Salvatore Tecci who guided the Spartans to 21 wins which is a MIAA record for most wins by a freshman goalie and whose regular season stats matched or were better than some of the goalies selected. 

A TIME TO REMEMBER
No doubt it was a heartbreaking loss to Scituate in the EMass Finals. But, is there any doubt that no matter when this magical season came to an end, we would all still have these mixed feelings. One thing is for sure, this was a time to remember. This rag tag group of Savio diehards was a strange blend of players who were mostly products of the Spartan system but with several players who transferred to get a opportunity to display their talents. They were gallantly led by a group of Savio alumni who bled Spartan maroon and gold who only asked one thing, 'listen to us and we will take you there." They had the never ending support of their families who came together as one big unit who supported each other thru thick and thin. They had the greatest cast of Savio players from prior years to cheer them on and keep them focused. The outpouring of support from their school and community outnumbered the  opposition. This team was more than its players it was a movement. A movement by players, coaches parents, alumni, community and the school that no matter what  - Savio will always live in their hearts.

As parents, we wish our children have happy memories of their teenage years. We know through experience that memories last a long time, happy ones last forever. This journey that took us through the 2006-2007 season was a memorable journey, The kind of journey that we will talk about for a long time. We made great friends. Our children bonded well beyond teammates and classmates. They bonded for life. But, theirs is a bond that reaches out  beyond this team and their coaches. The bond includes all who played before them who gave this team unconditional and emotional support.  The bond reaches out to the communities who love Savio. Theirs is a bond that transcends anything these players can comprehend today but they will treasure tomorrow. To say that we salute these players and coaches for what they have accomplished in such pressure packed situations is an understatement. How can they possible understand how proud we are of them? We can only hope they do.

This is our tribute to this magical season - A Time To Remember!

Overtime Is Spartan Time
The Spartan hockey team faced off against Weston High School Monday night in the DIII North Regional finals. After the exciting come from behind win last week against Salem, we thought we had witnessed all the heart pounding excitement we could handle. More... 

Spartan Basketball Officially Denied Title
The Spartan basketball team's Cinderella season came to end with a 55-52 heartbreaking loss to Cathedral at the Boston Garden. More...

You Must See This!!! The Boston Globe has produced a slide show depicting the Savio wins over Salem and Concord/Carlisle titled "On Thin Ice". It dramatizes the struggle the team faces and metaphorically illustrate the struggle to Save Our Savio. To view the Slide Show, open this link boston.com. Then on then click on the 'Your Life' tab under the banner. Then once that page opens look on the left side column on the top open link titled, 'On This Ice'. It may take a minute or so to load. It's worth the wait.

Special Thanks This web site, on behalf of the coaches, players and parents of the Savio Prep hockey and basketball teams, would like to extend a sincere Thank You to the local media outlets who cover both sports. While most people complain that the media only publicizes negative stories, the Boston media outlets have treated Savio's plight with dignity and respect. It is an inspiration for all the dedicated parents and supporters who are fighting to keep Savio open. Through the tireless efforts of all involved and the positive media exposure their battle is receiving, Savio's future just got little brighter.

Great Story About Saving Savio In Boston Globe.

The Spartan Web Awards
Check Team News page for recipients of Spartan Monthly web awards.

Spotlight Interview... 
The Spartan web site team sat down with the Spartan captains -  check out the complete in-depth interviews on the In The Spotlight page.