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Colin Dorgan achieves victory for high school team amid tragedy

Mar 19, 2026, 10:08 AM20
(Update: Mar 19, 2026, 2:53 PM)
state of the United States of America
capital city of Rhode Island, United States

Colin Dorgan achieves victory for high school team amid tragedy

  • Colin Dorgan's family was tragically killed in a targeted shooting while he played a game with his hockey team.
  • After weeks of grief, Dorgan scored crucial goals in the playoffs, leading his team to the state championship.
  • The victory provided a sense of hope and healing for the team and the community affected by the tragedy.
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Story

In Providence, Rhode Island, a high school ice hockey team experienced a profound victory in the state championship following a devastating tragedy. The shooting incident, which occurred on February 16 at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, left Colin Dorgan, a senior on the Blackstone Valley Schools ice hockey team, without his mother, brother, and grandfather. These family members were killed by Robert Dorgan, who specifically targeted them during the shooting. The incident left the close-knit hockey community in shock and grief, prompting the team to take time off for counseling sessions, as players grappled with their emotions and the loss of their loved ones. Despite the traumatic backdrop, team members were determined to continue the season in honor of their fallen friends and family. As the playoffs progressed, Colin Dorgan demonstrated tremendous resilience. He faced the challenge of returning to the ice, with much support from his coach, teammates, and his sister, Ava, who had also been at the shooting but survived. Colin said he felt their presence with him throughout the playoffs and credited his sister for stepping into the role of his mother. After a game-winning goal in double overtime the previous week, Dorgan helped secure the championship by scoring a pivotal goal in the final minutes against Lincoln High School, leading to a tense quadruple overtime. The game itself was nothing short of an emotional catharsis for the team and the broader hockey community. Head coach Chris Librizzi expressed his admiration for the team’s courage and the importance of family and support during these trying times. Everyone on the team returned to play, with the coach having allowed players the option to step away without judgment. His encouragement ensured that each player felt comfortable, leading to their collective healing process after the tragedy. The entire season became a way not only to honor lost loved ones but also to foster community support and solidarity as they moved forward together. The championship win was marked by intense emotions for Dorgan and his teammates, culminating in a moment of victory that symbolized hope amidst heartache. The Blackstone Valley team, having experienced profound loss, emerged stronger and united. Colin reflected on the game, emphasizing the significance of the support network he relied upon and the heart patch on his jersey representing his family's memory. The journey through grief has been challenging, and while the pain of loss remains, the team’s triumph in the championship stood as a testament to resilience and healing in the wake of an unimaginable tragedy.

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