LYNN — The St. Mary’s girls hockey team was honored by the City Council for winning the 2024 state championship and commended for the players’ work off the ice. 

Councilor-at-Large Brian Field, the only councilor who attended St. Mary’s, started by welcoming the girls and their coach for winning the school’s sixth Division 1 ice hockey state championship, led by seniors Kasey Litwin, Regan Sullivan, and Gianna Tringale.

“And I think leading that cause, leading that charge, rather, is the St. Mary’s girls hockey coach, Frank Pagliuca,” Field said.

Mayor Jared Nicholson gave a speech to congratulate the team for its win, noting the hard work and drive it took to get to that point. 

“I know that a state championship is indicative of years and years of dedication to a sport,” Nicholson said. “Early ice times… from a time many of you were learning to skate through today… you’ve put a lot of yourself into this journey, and to be able to celebrate it with you today is truly an honor.”

Nicholson emphasized the work the team did off the ice and for the community as well, citing the skate night with the Lynn Special Olympics team, which the council recognized before the St. Mary’s team, as an example. 

“I think it’s particularly special and emblematic to me of the power of sports to hear that the group that we just recognized had the opportunity to skate with you all, that you all created that special moment,” Nicholson said. 

Pagliuca shared a few words before calling out all the players’ names. 

“One of the important messages that we like to send with our program is to give back (in) any way we can… to the community on and off the ice,” Pagliuca said. “To be inclusive, to be part of the fabric of the community… not just on the ice, but more importantly, off the ice. That’s the main important message that we send.”

Pagliuca also said that being able to celebrate both the St. Mary’s team and the Lynn Special Olympics team at the meeting made the moment that much more special. 

He also mentioned through email that the team winning the state championship and the Catholic Central League championship reflected the players’ hard work and dedication to each other, and represented St. Mary’s and the city’s community. 

The players were awarded certificates from Field and Councilor-at-Large Brian LaPierre. Those in the room gave a big round of applause to congratulate the girls for their hard work.

“That makes tonight, to me, a great example of what this city’s all about,” Nicholson said. “And shows what winning looks like, not just on the ice, but in life itself.”