Beavers have qualified for playoffs three straight years

By Chris Villani

Three years ago, Blackstone Valley Tech’s hockey team split off from Grafton after a run that saw the co-op become one of the best teams in the state. Three years later, the Beavers are on their own but still winning, and the team qualified for the tournament once again this winter.

“The word is out that BVT is not only fielding an independent program, but we play a competitive schedule and our values of how I want the program to run are being met,” said Head Coach Turk Chambless.

On the ice, Valley Tech captured the Colonial Athletic League title for the second year in a row and finished with a record above .500 to earn a spot in the state tournament. Their reward was a date with the defending champs and the top team in the state, Marblehead, and the Beavers came within six seconds of pulling off a shocking upset.

Chambless said the leadership of the captains has been instrumental in the program’s growth and success. Seniors Christopher Bouvier and Jack Eastwood served as team captains and were assisted by Jacob Selby and junior Max Krauss.

“They were four of our top players,” Chambless said.

But the Beavers also had several impactful freshmen, continuing what has become a trend for the young program. Chambless said more than a dozen freshmen came out for the team and several of them played a big role. Three years ago, goaltender Finn Lozeau was one of those impact freshmen, and this year he was once again a stalwart for BVT in goal.

During that first season, Chambless was hoping for around 25 players. But he ended up getting nearly 40 to try out, which allowed Valley Tech the opportunity to field a junior varsity program from the start. The last two years, more than a dozen freshmen have come out for the team each winter.

Chambless is even prouder of his team off the ice. He said he wanted to instill a philanthropic spirit in his team and they have responded to that challenge. The team took part in a fundraiser called Hockey Fights Charity and raised over $4,000. During the holiday season, the Beavers also sponsored eight underprivileged children in the area and made sure they would all have presents to open on Christmas. It’s all part of building a culture that aspiring hockey players will want to be a part of.

“A lot of kids are looking at Valley Tech as an opportunity to not only go to a great school, but also to play for a good hockey program,” Chambless said. “That’s something I am very proud of.”

The BVT hockey team poses after going holiday shopping in support of underprivileged children. Courtesy photo