BHS Ice Hockey Team — The Culture Is on the Rise

By KEN HAMWEY, 

Bulletin Sports Writer

When Tony Patete took the reins as coach of Bellingham High’s ice hockey team, he knew he was facing a major rebuilding job. Some would go so far to classify the rebuilding effort as a Herculean task.

Consider these numbers — the Blackhawks have gone 10 years without a tournament berth, and the last two seasons included records of 2-16-2 last year and 0-18-1 during the 2022-23 season.

Patete’s forces were 2-7 in their first nine games, and four of those seven defeats were by two-goal margins, far better than some of the spreads of past years. And, the Blackhawks’ record includes games against some of the Tri Valley League’s best teams.

“My No. 1 objective in the pre-season was to change the culture and the mentality,’’ Patete said. “The players got used to losing, but that’s changed. Now, they believe they can win any time they step onto the ice. Our second goal was to double the win total of the last two years. And our final goal is to strive to qualify for the playoffs in Division 4.’’

Rather than focus on wins, “What’s more important is to focus on playing three complete periods of hockey,’’ the coach emphasized, “And, we’re still striving to do that.’’

A native of Franklin, Patete knows that stringing three solid periods together will likely result in victorious outcomes that could lead to qualifying for the playoffs.

“A 2-7 record at the halfway mark sounds bad, but the team we have now is very different from squads of the past,’’ Patete said. “Our mental approach is much improved, and we still believe we’ve got a shot at a tourney berth. Through nine games, we’ve given up 20 less goals than last year and we’ve scored two more goals through nine games compared to last year.’’

The Blackhawks, a co-op team with Millis and Blackstone-Millville, have some strengths, which include depth, versatility, effective goaltending, some experience and a positive approach to competing. “We’ve got six defensemen, and three of them can play forward,’’ Patete noted. “Our kids and very coachable and willing to learn, but we must limit our turnovers and correct our mistakes at practice.’’

Bellingham’s four captains have impressed Patete by being vocal, communicative and leading by example. They include seniors Nathan Gervais (right wing), Colin Sherman (center), and Charles Eldridge (right wing), and junior Conor Reilly (center).

“A player from Blackstone-Millville, Nathan is a strong skater who’s fast and has a great shot,’’ Patete said. “A quality individual, he’s bought into our system. Colin has a high hockey IQ, and he controls the play on the second line by being a complete two-way center. 

“Charles has a great shot and is a good skater. He and Colin have developed good team chemistry. Conor played defense for two years, but he’s become a super strong skater. He controls play as a two-way center who backchecks well.’’

Two left wings from Millis — junior Dylan McGuire and sophomore Braden Ingoldsby — are top-notch players. “Dylan is a complete buzz-saw who never stops skating,’’ Patete said. “He follows directions, is coachable and works hard at the net, getting gritty goals. Braden, who also can play center, has an outstanding hockey IQ, is fast, moves the puck and can score.’’

Junior Ed Savje and sophomore Declan Jewett can play either center or on the wing. “Ed has good footwork, breaks up lots plays and moves the puck well,’’ Patete offered. “Declan has a great nose for the puck on offense and has a strong shot.’’

Junior Mike Cullinane and senior Jack Pirrong are major assets on defense. “Mike is the backbone of our defense,’’ Patete said. “A two-way defenseman, he’s aggressive and is confident with the puck. Jack is a solid defensive defenseman who’s an even-keel competitor. He’s also physically strong and mentally tough.’’

Junior Eric Todd and freshman Ben Perkins are also very capable defensemen. “Eric is an offensive-minded defenseman who’s talented carrying the puck,’’ Patete said. “He skates well, has good instincts and runs our power play. Ben has a bright future. A good stick-handler, he’s tall and physical and can tie up offensive opponents.’’

The Blackhawks have two effective goalies — junior Liam Gregg of Millis and freshman Nick Fantini.

“Liam has been a starter since his freshman year,’’ said Patete. “He makes big saves, and he keeps us in every game. A very good side-to-side goalie, he’s instinctive, has a solid glove and cuts the angles well. Nick is a good stand-up goalie who’s a solid shot-stopper at a young age. He’s got a good future. He’s started two games and will be called on to start more based on specific opponents.’’

Four volunteer coaches comprise Patete’s staff. They include Anthony Patete (son), Brett Peterson, Sean Noonan, and Dan Crandall.  

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and Patete knows that rebuilding the Blackhawks will take time. But there are definite signs of a culture change. 

“We’ve made some strides, but there’s more work to do,’’ said the 52-year-old coach. “We’re a group of grinders. We have to outwork our opponents, get consistent play from our three lines and play effectively on defense. That’s our focus. When those things occur, that’s when we’ll win.’’