The spirit of Norwood pride filled the Elks Hall tonight as the town gathered to honor the Norwood High School hockey team—fresh off their hard‑fought Bay State League championship. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., players, coaches, families, and devoted fans came together for a celebratory banquet recognizing a season defined by grit, teamwork, and hometown support.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of championship jackets and framed team photographs to the Blue Blades, a tribute to the boys who battled through a tight league race and emerged as true champions. The crowd was treated to remarks from four giants of the sports world: • Bobby Cleary, Harvard standout and 1960 U.S. Olympic gold medalist • “Butch” Songin, Boston Patriots quarterback and Boston College hockey All‑American • John “Snooks” Kelly, legendary Boston College hockey coach • Milt Schmidt, Hall‑of‑Fame Boston Bruin and current Bruins coach
The banquet also included the announcement of next year’s team captain, who will follow outgoing captain Jack Bayer, a steady leader throughout the season.
A hearty chicken pie dinner by Connolly Caterers was served, and the event was organized by a dedicated committee led by Pret Neilsen, with Tom Clifford, Ernie Higgins, Helen Neilsen, Bob Ivatts, Gary Maus, and Frank Wall, who served as master of ceremonies.
The Blue Blades’ championship run was one for the ages. Under head coach Don Wheeler, assisted by Rev. Dan Young and Jimmy Gormley, Norwood posted a 9‑2‑1 regular‑season record and entered the playoffs in a three‑way tie with Walpole and Needham. In the postseason, the boys went undefeated—defeating Walpole, Needham, and Wellesley—to claim the league crown by two full games.
Several players earned league honors: • Richy Hebner (sophomore forward) – First‑Team All‑Star • Richy Lovell (senior defenseman) – First‑Team All‑Star • Paul Angelo (junior forward) – Second‑Team All‑Star • Tim Twomey (defenseman) – Second‑Team All‑Star
Tonight’s banquet was nearly a sellout, with only a handful of tickets available at the door. All players and coaches were seated at the head table—a fitting tribute to a team that brought pride, excitement, and championship glory to the town of Norwood.
More Norwood Sports Stories
-
High School To Have Cross Country Team-This Day In Norwood History-September 12, 1957
Norwood High School will have a cross-country team this year, according to a vote of the School Committee last night. Fred Richardson, basketball coach and teacher at the high school, will serve as coach. Discover more from Norwood Historical Society Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. Type your email… Subscribe
-
Norwood’s Noah Hanifin Drafted Fifth Overall in NHL Draft-This Day In Norwood History-June 30, 2015
For Norwood native Noah Hanifin, a lifelong dream is coming true. The 18-year-old defenseman was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes with the fifth overall pick in the NHL Draft on Friday, marking a major milestone in what many expect will be a standout professional career. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Hanifin just wrapped up an…
-
New Look For An Old Norwood Landmark-This Day in Norwood History-July 31, 2014
This Day in Norwood History-July 31, 2014-New look for an old Norwood landmark
-
MSHCA Hall calls for Clifford-This Day In Norwood History-May 10, 2013
Last Sunday evening, in a ceremony held at Montvale Plaza in Stoneham, Norwood High boys hockey coach Bill Clifford was recognized by the Massachusetts State Hockey Coaches Association. Along with several other first-rate Bay State hockey coaches, Clifford was inducted into the MSHCA Hall of Fame in the 41st annual event. Joining Clifford in a…
-
Girls Basketball-Norwood, Westwood Move to Finals-This Day In Norwood History-March 15, 1978
Norwood scored the last six points in regulation and the first five in overtime to win the girl’s Division 1 semifinals over Cambridge Rindge & Latin yesterday, 47-44, at Norwell. Patty Shinkwin kept Cambridge in the game, scoring 10 of R&L’s 19 first-half points. However, Norwood’s superior rebounding and shot selection gave Norwood the edge…
-
Norwood, Arlington tip foes set up dream EsMass final-This Day In Norwood History-March 12, 1972
By Kevin Wall Globe Staff A tired Billy-Clifford blasted away from the top of the left faceoff circle in sudden death overtime yesterday to carry top-seeded Norwood to a 3-2 semifinal victory over Matignon in Division I of the Eastern Mass. Hockey Tournament. Arlington had gained the final a half hour earlier before 12,092 at…
-
Joe Porcello Joins Norwood’s Lineage of All-Around Baseball Superstars-This Day In Norwood History-April 5, 1971
Norwood High School has produced its share of standout athletes, and in 1971, Joe Porcello emerged as the latest “does‑it‑all” baseball star. Following in the footsteps of Richie Hebner and Bill Travers, Porcello earned praise for his versatility and dominance on the diamond.Porcello, a senior, excelled in hitting, fielding, and pitching, making him a rare…
-
Second Line Key For Norwood in Emass Final-This Day In Norwood History-March 15, 1971
The Norwood shift is on for tonight’s Eastern Massachusetts Hockey Tournament 7:30 final at Boston Garden that matches the undefeated Bay State League champions against highly regarded Arlington. The reorganized second Norwood hockey showdown tonight line that was so instrumental in Saturday afternoon’s semifinal victory over Catholic Memorial remains intact. The schoolboy hockey game that…
-
Arlington, Norwood Gain Final-This Day In Norwood History-March 17, 1968
By KEVIN WALSH Boston Globe Staff Reporter A couple of little guys, Rich Donovan and Kent Davison, set up a rematch of last year’s state hockey tournament final Saturday afternoon before 11,476 at Boston Garden. Donovan’s third-period goal allowed Norwood to edge Hingham, 1-0, in the semifinal round of the Eastern Mass. Hockey Tournament. In…
-
Norwood’s Shea Man in Hurry; Runs on Skates, Scores Often-This Day In Norwood History-March 20, 1967
Norwood High’s Tom Shea will never win a skating ribbon. – He’s never played in a midget or peewee hockey program and the way he skates seems to bear it out Coach Don Wheeler and the players refer to Shea (5-10, 170), a junior wing playing alongside Dick Graham and Pete Oberlander, as the “road…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.