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Mark Lee’s St. Mary’s hockey team won the school’s first-ever state championship two weeks ago. Next month, he will be inducted into the Massachusetts State Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
By HAROLD RIVERA
LYNN — It’s safe to say that 2017 has been a great year for St. Mary’s boys hockey coach Mark Lee.
Two weeks ago, the Spartans won the Division 1 state championship at TD Garden — a feat that Lee had been chasing since taking over at St. Mary’s in 1986.
Now Lee has another accolade to add to his resume. The longtime Spartans coach is being inducted into the Massachusetts State Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Lee, who graduated from St. Mary’s in 1980, credited his players and assistant coaches who have helped him reach success over the past 31 seasons.
“I’m honored to be in that league with some of those great coaches of the past,” Lee said. “It’s really all about the kids. I’m honored and humbled by it, and it’s a reflection of all the good, hard working kids and assistant coaches that have put me in this position.”
At the age of 24, Lee took over a St. Mary’s program that was in tough shape. Over the years, Lee has turned the program into one of the elite powerhouses in Division 1.
“When I took over there was a total of 14 kids in the program,” Lee recalled. “They were trying times. I had a lot of energy and i surrounded myself with good people. One thing I did well was surround myself with good hockey people. It has been a process and it has taken some time but I’m excited to see the program develop the way it has.”
He added, “I’ve steered the ship but there’s been so many people involved over the years. It takes a village. A lot of people have worked hard at this. I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by those people.”
Lee will be officially inducted in a ceremony that will be held on May 7 at the Montvale Plaza in Stoneham. He’s been asked to deliver a speech at his induction ceremony.
“I have a lot of memories that I have to reflect on over the past 30 years,” Lee said. “I’m excited to have that opportunity.”
