BUFFALO, N.Y. — Members of Rhode Island’s Blackstone Valley Co-op high school hockey team received national recognition Friday night when they took part in the opening ceremony of the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft, a powerful tribute to a team whose remarkable season became a symbol of resilience following a devastating family tragedy earlier this year. The invitation placed the student-athletes on one of hockey’s biggest stages, honoring not only their Division II state championship but also the extraordinary perseverance they displayed after unimaginable loss.
- Blackstone Valley’s NHL Draft Recognition
- A Season Changed by Tragedy
- From Heartbreak to a State Championship
- Special Recognition From the NHL
- Support From the Hockey Community
- A Legacy Beyond the Ice
The Blackstone Valley players joined NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on stage before the first overall selection, receiving a standing ovation from fans, NHL executives, prospects, and team representatives gathered inside KeyBank Center in Buffalo. The moment recognized a season that extended far beyond wins and losses, reflecting the strength of a close-knit team that rallied around one another through grief and adversity.
The Blackstone Valley Co-op season was forever changed on February 16, 2026, when a targeted shooting occurred during a varsity hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.
The attack claimed the lives of members of captain Colin Dorgan’s family, including his mother, brother, and later his grandfather, while other relatives were seriously injured. Authorities determined the shooting stemmed from a family dispute and was not a random act of violence, but the tragedy deeply affected players, coaches, families, and communities across Rhode Island.
Following the shooting, high school athletic events throughout Rhode Island were temporarily suspended as schools focused on supporting students, families, and staff members impacted by the tragedy.
Rallying Around a Teammate
Rather than allowing grief to define the remainder of the season, Blackstone Valley players and coaches committed themselves to supporting Dorgan and one another.
Head coach Chris Librizzi described the team as more than teammates, explaining they spent nearly every day together after the tragedy—skating, working out, sharing meals, and ensuring no one had to face the difficult days alone. Players wore commemorative patches honoring Dorgan’s family throughout the postseason, turning every game into a tribute to those they had lost.
Dorgan later said the unwavering support of his teammates helped him continue playing during one of the most difficult periods of his life.
Blackstone Valley’s postseason became one of the most inspiring stories in high school sports.
The team advanced to the Rhode Island Division II championship after Dorgan scored a dramatic double-overtime game-winning goal in the semifinal. Just days later, Blackstone Valley captured the state championship in an unforgettable 3–2 quadruple-overtime victory over Lincoln High School.
The championship represented far more than an athletic achievement. For players, coaches, families, and supporters, it became a symbol of resilience, unity, and hope following unimaginable heartbreak.
Recognizing the team’s extraordinary journey, the NHL invited Blackstone Valley to participate in the opening of the 2026 NHL Draft.
Standing before thousands of fans and hockey’s biggest decision-makers, the players were celebrated for their courage, determination, and sportsmanship. The recognition reflected the broader hockey community’s embrace of a team whose story had inspired athletes and fans across North America.
The NHL’s invitation followed several other tributes. Earlier in the spring, retired Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron surprised the team by visiting with the Stanley Cup, giving players and their families an opportunity to celebrate their championship while continuing the healing process. The team was also recognized at the Rhode Island State House by state leaders for both its championship season and its resilience.
Throughout the season, Blackstone Valley became a source of inspiration well beyond Rhode Island.
Players demonstrated how athletics can foster healing, friendship, and perseverance during life’s most difficult moments. Coaches emphasized that their greatest accomplishment was not winning a championship but supporting one another as a family throughout months of grief and recovery.
For many in attendance at the NHL Draft, the team’s appearance served as a reminder that hockey is ultimately about community as much as competition.
While the Blackstone Valley Co-op’s Division II championship will always be remembered, the team’s greatest legacy may be the compassion and resilience it displayed after tragedy struck.
Their invitation to the NHL Draft ensured that one of the most inspiring stories in recent high school sports reached the national stage. From the rink in Pawtucket to the spotlight in Buffalo, Blackstone Valley demonstrated that even in the face of profound loss, unity, determination, and hope can carry a community forward.
As the next generation of NHL players began their professional journeys, the Blackstone Valley team reminded everyone in attendance that courage is measured not only by victories on the ice, but also by the strength to keep moving forward together.
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