COURTESY PHOTO
Mike Roberts is the new head coach of the Lynn Jets hockey team.
By MIKE ALONGI
LYNN — Once again, the Lynn public high school hockey team that combines Classical, Tech and English has dipped into its past — both from almost 20 years ago and recently — to fill the position as head coach.
Thursday, Mike Roberts was announced as the new head coach of the Lynn Jets. He has a long history with Lynn high school sports, going to back to the time he played and up until last year, when he served as an assistant for former coach Joe Conlon.
“I feel that it’s unfortunate to see Joe part ways,” said Roberts, regarding Conlon’s announcement earlier this spring that he was stepping down as coach. “But at the same time, I’ve always wanted to be a head coach.”
Roberts was a three-sport athlete at English, playing on the school’s football, hockey and baseball teams. Among the coaches the 1999 graduate played for were Ron Bennett, Gary Molea, Matt Poska and Bob Roland.
“One of the main reasons I always wanted to coach is that I want to give back,” Roberts said. “In my senior year, I always looked to coach Molea for guidance. You’re at a stage in your life when you’re not sure about some of the choices you’re about to make. People like him always helped make sense out of it to me.
“You never forget that stuff,” Roberts said. “You take that with you for the rest of your life. Giving back to the younger generation is what it’s all about.”
He knows he faces some challenges. The Jets graduated Northeastern Conference MVP goalie Jack Stafford in the spring, which means the hunt is on for his replacement in net.
“That’s definitely a priority,” he said. “We have a challenge with the goalie situation. But Kenny Perez, from where he started to the end of the season, was a positive. Hopefully we can get him into some clinics and get him going in a positive direction.”
Roberts said that he’ll know a lot more during the summer league in Peabody, which begins July 31.
Roberts said the luxury of having Stafford between the pipes allowed the Jets to play a more defensive-oriented style — something they may have to modify next season.
“I think every team is different,” he said. “Everybody wants to be offensive-minded, and score a lot of goals. But sometimes, the cast you have won’t allow you to do that.
“We’ve been playing more of a defensive style,” he said. “We could lean on the defense and force them outside, and keep games real tight.
“We may have to look to a more offensive approach,” he said. “I think we’re going to have to put up a lot more goals to win. I like the forwards to carry a little more than to dump and chase.”
Both principals Gene Constantino of Classical and Tom Strangie of English heartily endorse the hire.
“We’re happy to have him on board,” said Strangie. “He tutored well with Joe Conlon, and I’m sure he’ll fill those shoes.
“I was his vice principal when he was a student at English High,” said Strangie. “He was a great player. It’s always good to have one of our own giving back to the school.”
“He’s been in the program,” said Constantino. “He knows the kids … knows the players. He’s a good family man. I was impressed with his interview.
“I think he has the ability to maintain the program the Joe put in place, and hopefully enhance it to the next level. I hope he does well.”
