LYNN — “Don’t forget Kory’s jersey.” That’s what players on St. Mary’s hockey team say before every game – home or away – to remember Kory Ouellette, a former player who was killed in a single-vehicle crash at age 20 last August.
The team hangs Kory’s No. 3 jersey over its bench.
“I enjoy going to the games,” said Kory’s father, Steve Ouellette. “During the National Anthem, I just look at that jersey every time.”
St. Mary’s coach Matt Smith believes it’s “all about giving back.”
“Players say ‘Grab Kory’s jersey’ when we’re going on the bus, and just hearing that means they’re keeping his memory alive,” Smith said.
Hanging his jersey is just one thing the team does in Kory’s memory.
“We showed up as a team to the funeral with hockey sticks. We had sticks raised,” Smith said. “That was a good moment for the family.”
The Spartans also wear No. 3 on their helmets, and the team is creating an award for Kory which “will live forever,” according to Smith.
“And Steve is going to give scholarship money (Kory Ouellette Scholarship) for students in need [for] freshmen coming in,” Smith said. “You never get over losing a child, and I can’t imagine losing any of mine, but there are things you can do to keep the memory alive.”
St. Mary’s Athletic Director Jeff Newhall said, “Kory will always be a part of the St. Mary’s family.”
“I couldn’t be happier that our boys hockey team keeps his memory alive each and every game,” Newhall said. “The painful loss of Kory has been tough to deal with for so many, but when you see his shirt on the bench, you are reminded of how he lived and how he played, which helps all of us to keep moving forward.”
Something else that helps Steve and his wife, Maureen, is spending time with others who loved Kory.
“His teammates and his friends from school have been great. They come over, we go out to eat with them, and we like that. It helps us,” Steve said. “The gratitude my wife and I have… I don’t even have the words for it.”
And the love goes far beyond St. Mary’s.
St. John’s Prep hockey player Mason Luciano, who spent time with Kory growing up, designed a logo in his memory.
“He designed a little sticker to put on his stick and he’s got a No. 3 on his chin-strap and on his helmet,” said Steve, who along with Maureen and Kory’s brother, Kyle, received symbolic tattoos honoring Kory.
Kory’s death was the second to strike St. Mary’s hockey program in 16 years. Patrick Reddy (Class of 2006) died in an auto accident in 2007.
Former head coach Mark Lee said, “Tragedy hit these families. We want to keep their memories alive.”
“It’s a testament to the players that we are honoring and continue to honor,” Lee added. “We don’t forget. We’re like family to each other. We all go through the tragedies together.”
That support is “what keeps us going,” according to Steve.
“It just shows that Kory was loved – even more than he knew,” Steve said. “We appreciate all of the support.”
