SPORTS

RI Hockey community honors Dennison in finals

Posted 3/16/22

By ALEX SPONSELLER

Tragic news broke last Thursday evening that West Warwick hockey player Matt Dennison passed away due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in February, when he and …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
SPORTS

RI Hockey community honors Dennison in finals

Posted

By ALEX SPONSELLER

Tragic news broke last Thursday evening that West Warwick hockey player Matt Dennison passed away due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in February, when he and a teammate were struck by a drunk driver.

The events sent shockwaves throughout the state, especially within the Rhode Island hockey community. Word began to spread during Game 1 of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Boys Hockey State Championship between Bishop Hendricken and East Greenwich.

Many of the players on each team knew Dennison and played with him coming up the youth ranks. Many expressed their condolences on social media in the hours following the news and throughout the day on Friday, which was when Game 2 of the series was to be played.

Prior to the puck drop at the Schneider Arena at Providence College, there was a moment of silence for Dennison. The East Greenwich student section also wore orange in honor of Dennison and West Warwick.

As dozens of locals paid tribute to Dennison, the Hawks would go on to win the series and dedicate their performance in his honor.

“Most importantly, I want to say, this was for Matt Dennison, the Dennison family. We’re very sorry and we’re thinking of the Dennison family right now. We talked about it last night, we were playing with a purpose, for many reasons, and Matt was one of the reasons,” said Bishop Hendricken coach Mike Soscia. “We had a little slump at the end of the season, kicked it up a notch and swept the last three series. It was pretty special.”

Soscia coached Dennison at the youth level a few years ago.

Hendricken senior captain Mike Soscia was a former teammate of Dennison’s when they played together for the Junior Friars. He was thinking of his old friend while helping the Hawks secure the stat title.

“This one is for Matt, I know he is watching this game. It’s so tragic, this one is for him. It’s tough, at school we had a great support system and last night we were able to let it out. I can’t really put it into words, it’s sad for his family, his friends. It sucks,” said Soscia.

Fellow Hendricken captain Nick Defelice echoed those sentiments and was proud of the team for being able to perform under the difficult circumstances.

“We found out after (Game 1) and it was emotional. We did it for him, we went through it and we went into this game thinking that we were going to do it for him and we did it,” said Defelice.

The Boston Bruins also honored Dennison by making a jersey with his name on it and hanging it on their bench during their Sunday game against the Arizona Coyotes.

Many others in the local hockey community are planning on honoring Dennison in the coming weeks.

hockey, Dennison

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here