Again in 2008, Milton women hockey head coach Matt Lodi received a training gig with Natick’s boys junior varsity program.
It was his introduction to teaching highschool athletics. And from 12 months to 12 months since – and in his case, program to program – there’s so much to soak up. Many particulars may fade.
However after 17 years, he by no means forgot what it was like when he first began teaching in opposition to Ken Assad, who, earlier than he took the King Philip women head teaching function, coached the Franklin boys JV group.
“At first, Kenny was at all times a top-notch individual,” Lodi mentioned. “It was actually my first expertise teaching highschool athletics. I bear in mind even again then how welcoming he was, passionate in regards to the sport. … He at all times cared a lot (about his groups), regardless of the stage it was.”
Hearts broke all through the hockey neighborhood on Dec. 21, when the information broke that Assad – who had simply coached his King Philip women to a 6-0 win over Stoughton the night time earlier than – unexpectedly handed within the morning.
He instructed Stoughton women head coach Chad Kelley the night time of the sport that he wasn’t feeling nicely, however it didn’t appear to Kelley that it at actually affected his perspective or power. Kelley was devastated when he came upon the subsequent day.
It grew to become clear in a short time how crushed the Franklin and King Philip communities have been over Assad’s passing. He had a well-decorated profession as a participant for the Panthers earlier than teaching within the Franklin youth and highschool packages. He converted to educate women at King Philip, and over seven years, turned a little bit of a rocky program right into a respectable menace within the Div. 2 discipline this season.
Final 12 months, the group gained its first Hockomock League title. Assad raved in regards to the Warriors’ potential, and it’s exhibiting early on in a 7-0 begin coming into Wednesday. His pleasure, ardour, dedication and mentorship are simply among the many issues that made him beloved in these communities.
They’re additionally the traits that any coach that ever got here throughout him admired. Assad’s relationship with gamers, who he saved in touch with year-round and would present curiosity of their different sports activities, particularly stands proud.
“The factor that lots of people don’t learn about Kenny is, off the ice, he supported all the ladies such as you wouldn’t imagine,” mentioned Medfield women head coach John Summers. “It’s superb what he’s finished with the (gamers) he’s coached for years. He’s their largest supporter. … I type of mirror what Kenny’s finished all these years.”
“He’s simply finished such a superb job creating gamers in his program, and he’s simply nicely appreciated,” Kelley added. “He’d at all times make it some extent to even (assist) our youngsters.”
Each group within the Hockomock League performs King Philip yearly, in addition to groups out of the Tri-Valley League in what’s been a notable collaboration.
Franklin women coach Brendan LaMarre helped provide you with the concept to make skilled stickers in honor of Assad for gamers to put on on their helmets. Groups in each leagues, together with Milton as quickly as Lodi heard about it, are carrying the stickers for at the least a couple of video games in a easy however emotional gesture.
A boys participant from Stoughton was even in a position to make some “rush-order” stickers till these have been out there, which Kelley and his gamers wore on Dec. 23 in a 3-2 win over Cambridge.
“I’m getting calls and texts from coaches out of our convention that need to be concerned, too,” Summers added. “Kenny had an affect on all of the coaches round.”
Alongside together with his common kindness was Assad’s willingness to share data and promote the sport.
Lodi, Summers and Kelley talked in nice size about his preparation, and the way he was in a position to break down opponents for his groups to be as prepared as potential. Lodi even reached out to Assad to get some data on Medfield forward of the Div. 2 state championship in March – and Assad was in a position to determine many particulars he was positive to light-heartedly remind Lodi of after Medfield beat his Milton group.
“He’s what I might describe as a hockey junkie,” Kelley mentioned.
Duxbury coach Dan Najarian was trying ahead to teaching in opposition to Assad for the primary time this 12 months, lastly having the ability to add King Philip to the Dragons’ schedule. He didn’t know him personally, however he at all times thought extremely of his affect on his program and the sport.
And again when Canton and Duxbury have been chief rivals in 2022 and confronted one another within the 2023 Div. 2 state ultimate, Najarian requested Assad for some notes on the Bulldogs. They have been intensive, and really useful towards a 5-2 win for the state title.
“We’ve shared a ton of knowledge,” Najarian mentioned. “Simply the generosity and the willingness to succeed in out and assist one other coach. I’m most likely only a pebble within the lengthy highway of all of the people who he helped alongside the best way. … He’s only a man that loves to speak hockey and is keen to share data.”
Surging St. John’s
The St. John’s of Shrewsbury boys have simply two blemishes this 12 months — an extra time loss to Pope Francis and a penalty-ridden upset loss to Arlington Catholic.
Each got here in its first three video games.
The Pioneers (7-2) have gained six straight since, beginning the daunting Catholic Convention schedule at 3-0. A 3rd-period comeback win over defending state champion Catholic Memorial confirmed off their late-game composure. So did a 2-1 extra time win over beforehand unbeaten Xaverian, which had scored at the least three targets in all however one sport prior.
One timer
New Waltham boys head coach Chris Maguire is giving father John Maguire loads to be happy with, main this system to its greatest begin (9-0) within the energy rankings period in his first 12 months taking up for the retired Corridor of Famer.
Trending Merchandise
