Providence, Rhode Island — When Colin Dorgan takes the ice Wednesday to compete in the Rhode Island Division II boys state championship, three seats will be noticeably empty in the packed arena.
The high school senior’s mother, brother and grandfather should have been there to celebrate one of the most exciting moments of his hockey career, but that opportunity was stolen when everyone… Three were killed in a shooting Which broke out while Dorgan was playing a game with his Blackstone Valley Co-op teammates.
The shooting rocked the tight-knit hockey community, with many wondering if and how the high school hockey season could go ahead. However, in the weeks since, Dorgan has not only repeatedly laced up his boots as team captain, but has performed so well that his team is now in the Championship.
The team’s success has generated national attention, fueled most recently by Dorgan scoring a goal The winning goal in double overtime In a playoff game this month. That set the stage for the final game against Lincoln High School.
“It’s just a game for Lincoln High School and for everyone who comes here, but for us who lived through this shooting? It’s our lives. It’s a tragedy that we’ve all been through and we’re still recovering from it,” Blackstone Valley Co-op head coach Chris Liberzi said, wiping away tears during an interview.
Police have identified Robert Dorgan as the shooter who killed his ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan and son Aidan Dorgan on February 16 in the stands of an ice rink in Pawtucket. Authorities say the shooting was targeted. Gerald Dorgan, Colin Dorgan’s grandfather, was also shot and later died of his wounds, and two others were seriously injured.
The chaotic attack stopped after a number of bystanders rushed to the shooter as the crowd fled. Robert Dorgan, who police say also went by the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano, eventually died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Liberzi, a retired firefighter who coached hockey for more than 30 years, struggled with what to do in the aftermath. The team took some time off, and the coach made sure they participated in counseling sessions for 10 days.
He also gave each player the option not to return to play, while encouraging anyone who made that choice to continue to appear on the bench or in the stands to support the team.
Despite some hesitation at first, all the players came back, including Dorgan, who took longer to make a decision.
“I texted Colin saying, ‘Bud, the playoffs are on Friday night, it’s your call,’” Liberzi said. “He didn’t answer all day, but around 9 at night, he texted me saying, ‘Coach, I’ll see you tomorrow at practice.’”
The process wasn’t perfect. Librizzi had to stop the first training several times due to players being shaken. There were tears, from the coach to family members and even unconnected people following the team from afar. Meanwhile, questions remain about what life will be like after the championship game.
Regardless of his results, Librezzi is in awe of his team and the outpouring of support from the hockey community in their time of need. Friends volunteered to sew hearts with the initials of the three who died onto the front of team jerseys, and many Rhode Islanders display hockey sticks outside their homes in solidarity with the team.
“We’re all still struggling with it,” Liberzi said. “We just need to be a family with each other, we need to be supportive of each other to move forward and heal from this.”