LYNN — While some spent Friday shopping and spending, alumni of the Lynn Jets hockey program were sniping and scoring.
After waiting two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jets alumni met on the ice at Connery Skating Rink to lace up their skates once again. This was the first year since 2019 that the event was able to be held, and new Lynn Jets head coach Brian Boisson said that he hopes to get some of the older players back involved in the program.
Team Blue and White took the victory over Team Camouflage in a 10-9 thriller that featured some beautiful dangles and some great saves, as well as the occasional tumble or joking around. It was clear that everyone was enjoying being back on the ice again.
Former Lynn hockey head coach and graduate of Lynn English’s Class of 1999 Mike Roberts said it was awesome to be back on the ice. It was also a momentous occasion for Roberts and others, who skated for the first time since the pandemic.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “You’ve got guys from (Lynn) Classical, English, Tech, all down the line to come together. You know it’s a one team, one family kind of motto with the Jets. It’s good to see everybody from ’95 and we even got guys from the ’80s with guys who graduated last year, so it’s definitely a good opportunity to get everybody together.”
Luke Rao, a 2020 graduate of Classical, was one of the youngest players on the ice. Similar to others, it was his first time on the ice in a few years.
“I was a little gassed, but it was a good time (getting) to see everyone,” Rao said.
Classical legend Joe Gunning, who will be serving as an assistant coach for the Jets this season, added that it was great to see everyone return to the ice.
“They come back once a year, back from college or wherever they are working, and it’s good to see them,” he said.
