Sports Update

Townie Ron Wilson Gains Another Hall of Fame Induction
The Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame has announced its 2018 Hall of Fame Enshrinement which includes East Providence High, Providence College and professional hockey star, Ron Wilson. Wilson who led the Townies to hockey excellence in the 1970's, went on to start at Providence College and later played pro hockey as well as coaching teams in the NHL, Europe and the United States Olympics. Wilson also was inducted into the Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990, the RI Interscholastic League Hall of Fame in 2013 and the USA Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017. He is also a member of the East Providence High School Hall of Fame.

Wilson comes from a hockey rich family. He was born May 28, 1955 in Windsor, Ontario. He moved to East Providence, RI, when he was 12 years old. He holds both Canadian and USA citizenships, and has represented Team USA as both a player (5 times) and a coach (9 times). Both his father, Larry Wilson, an AHL Hall of Famer, and his uncle, Johnny Wilson, played for the Detroit Red Wings in the 1950s and later coached in the NHL.

Ron was a 3-time All-Stater at East Providence High School before moving on to Providence College where he became a two-time All-American and the Friars’ all-time leading scorer. He led the nation in points in the 1974-75 season, collecting 87 points on 26 goals and 61 assists in just 26 games. He still holds the school records (and NCAA records for defensemen) in career points (250), assists (172), most points in a single season (87) and single-season assists (61). He and his brothers, Brad and Randy, are members of the Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame. The Ron Wilson Award is presented annually to PC’s top defenseman.

The seventh pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1975 NHL Entry Draft, Wilson made his professional playing debut with the CHL’s Dallas Black Hawks in 1976. The following year, his strong play earned him CHL First Team All-Star honors and a call up to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In 1981, Wilson moved to Switzerland, landing a contract with the Minnesota North Stars in 1985. He went on to play parts of four seasons with the North Stars before ending his playing career in 1989 as a player/coach with ZSC Zurich. On the international stage, Wilson was a member of the U.S. World Championship teams in 1975 and 1981.

Ron’s NHL coaching career began as an assistant with Vancouver in 1990. He ascended to the head coaching position with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in 1993, moving to the Washington Capitals in 1997, the San Jose Sharks in 2002, and then to Toronto in 2008 through 2012. Ron’s 648 regular-season NHL wins are the most ever among American coaches. He coached his teams to 48 Stanley Cup playoff wins and four 100-point seasons.

Ron also guided Team USA to some of its brightest moments ever, most notably its triumph in the inaugural World Cup of Hockey in 1996 and the Silver Medal at the 2010 Olympic Games.
In December 2016, Wilson suffered a stroke and is undergoing rehabilitation. He was voted into the USA Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017.

A Star at East Providence High School
East Providence High School was a dominate force in the state's top hockey division in the seventies. One reason was the existence of the Dudley Richard's rink in the city and an other was Ron Wilson. A 1973 graduate of EPHS, Wilson was among, if not the best, hockey player in Rhode Island. He played a Bobby Orr style of hockey, playing defense and being a top goal scorer for the champion Townie hockey team. He would be on the ice for almost an entire game at times. He was joined by brothers Brad and Randy in a family of hockey players. Their Dad, Larry Wilson was a coach of the old Rhode Island Reds AHL team.

The Townies won the Met A State and New England hockey championships in 1975. The Wilsons were joined by the Army family of EP. Tom, Bill and Tim Army were also dominate hockey players in EP and Rhode Island and later in college. Tim Army went on to be a head coach at Providence College. The Army's grandfather, Tom, was the head athletic trainer for the R.I. Reds.

In the fifties, sixties and seventies most talented hockey players in the state went to Mount St. Charles and LaSalle. But public schools like East Providence and Cranston East held their own. The Wilsons and Armys and other local hockey players were a big reason for the Townies success. With a hockey rink in the city, youth hockey would flourish. Ron Wilson would thrill R.I. crowds with his defensive steals and rink-length rushes generally resulting in a goal. Hockey games were standing room only at Richard's Rink and many times EP - LaSalle or EP- Mt. St. Charles games were moved to the old R.I. Auditorium on North Main Street.

Wilson went on to become one of the greatest players ever at Providence College where he was twice named an All-American. At Providence College he led the nation one year with 87 points on 26 goals and 61 assists in just 26 games. He was ECAC player of the year. With 250 career points, he holds the NCAA scoring record for defensemen, as well as the PC record for points.

Through the years Ron Wilson often credited former EPHS hockey coach and later principal, Joe Sprague, with much of his success. "We got into the playoffs in my sophomore year and the only way that we were going to survive was if I converted from center to defense. So Joe made me a defenseman. In fact, I never got off the ice. It was the best decision that anybody ever made in my hockey career,″ Wilson told area press before his US Hockey HOF induction.

At one point Ron, Brad and Randy played together at Providence College. On occasion a PC fan could hear the announcer say, "PC goal by Wilson, assisted by Wilson and Wilson!" Many at Providence College credit the Wilson's and Army's with getting the new hockey rink built on campus. After high school Wilson was offered the chance to play at any college in America and chose PC. Ron Wilson, 62, resides in South Carolina with his wife, Maureen and family. Wilson married his "high school sweetheart" Maureen Glynn Wilson. While in high school, Glynn, a 1972 graduate, was a popular Townie cheerleading captain.

Bay View Student Wins Big at RI Gymnastic Championships
Alexis Caggiano, a St. Mary Academy - Bay View sixth-grader recently took home first place at the Rhode Island State Gymnastics Championships for level 7. Alexis, who trains at the Ocean State School of Gymnastics in Lincoln, also won the Jackie Court award for the highest event score of the session scoring a 9.55 on both bars and floor. Alexis will join the other top six finishers in her category on the RI Super Team, which will compete next month at the Regional Championships in Springfield, MA April 28 through April 29th.

School Spring Sports About to Start
As the interscholastic school athletic scene changes from winter to spring, teams have been busily preparing. As usual, New England's typically wet and cold March weather has made outdoor team practicing difficult and unpredictable. However teams are enthusiastic and ready to begin. Here is a list of spring team sports:

• Basketball-Unified
• Unified Basketball
• Boys Golf
• Softball
• Baseball
• Girls Lacrosse
• Boys Tennis
• Girls Softball
• Boys Volleyball 

EPHS Softball Schedule:
Date Time Opponent Location
04/03/18 03:45 PM St. Mary Bay View EPHS
04/06/18 04:00 PM Toll Gate High School Toll Gate
04/10/18 03:45 PM Tolman High School EPHS
04/17/18 04:00 PM Chariho EPHS
04/21/18 01:00 PM North Smithfield EPHS
04/23/18 04:00 PM Coventry High School Coventry HS
04/25/18 03:45 PM Cranston East EPHS
04/27/18 03:45 PM Cranston West Brayton Avenue
05/01/18 06:30 PM Cumberland High EPHS
05/04/18 06:30 PM Woonsocket EPHS
05/07/18 04:00 PM La Salle LaSalle
05/09/18 06:30 PM Lincoln EPHS
05/10/18 04:00 PM Moses Brown School Moses Brown
05/15/18 07:00 PM North King. High EPHS
05/17/18 04:00 PM North Providence North Providence
05/19/18 07:00 PM Barrington EPHS
05/20/18 01:00 PM All-Star Game EPHS
05/22/18 07:00 PM Pilgrim High EPHS
05/24/18 03:30 PM Smithfield High Smithfield

Roster:
Babcock, Taylor P/OF
Cooper, Tanya P/C/Inf
Costello, Jessica OF
Dacier, Amaya OF/1B
DaSilva, Emma SS
Giguere, Alexis 1B/OF
Guarino, Alyssa C/OF
Landry, Rebecca 1B
Martins, Hailey C/Inf
Mello, Shelby 3B
Messier, Paige Utility
Munro, Alexis C/OF
Patterson, Sadie CF
Silveira, Haily 1B
Watson, Raevyn 2B/Utility

Team Information:
Head Coach: Rob Traverse; Assistant Coach: Jon Chapman, Natalie Kehlbeck; Team Captains: Alyssa Guarino, Shelby Mello, Sadie Patterson; Athletic Trainer: Amanda Moran, Statistician: Stan Traverse.

EPHS Baseball Preview and Schedule:
Head Coach Bobby Rodericks is ready for baseball and his EP Townies are hoping to make some noise as the season approaches. A brief team preview: Senior Ben sears (Wheaton college bound) will be the Townies short stop and starting pitcher, senior Nate Pimental will be also pitching for the Townies, juniors Seth Daly, Zach Fanara and Josh Silveira will fill the Townie roster as the top 5 hitters along with Sears with major infield/outfield roles and Daly will also be in the top of the rotation as a starting pitcher. Sophomore returning starting catcher Cole Poissant will also be a factor behind the dish again as the field general as well. Sophomore classmates Keegan Seagrave and Sam Budnick who are looking to crack the lineup and hopefully solidify a starting spot before the season ends. Juniors Julian Reis and Nate Anselmo will be key factors in the lineup filling in the last outfield and infield positions as well as the 7 and 8 hole in the hitting lineup. Seniors Clayton Cook, Jimmy Munro and Alvin Cajigas have their work cut out for them as they will also be trying to insert themselves in the Townie lineup either as a starter or role player. Townies were top 3 defensively speaking as a team last season and aspire to do the same along with hopes of more offense which they are confident with having 6 returning starters.

Coach Rodericks is joined with his assistants Chris Kennedy, Ed Renaud and newly appointed volunteer assistant coach, Frank DeVall. A former Townie All-stater and League MVP, Nick Karalekas, is student teaching at Waddington Elementary and is working to get his coaching credentials and certifications. "It's great that he can soon help the middle and high school teams, especially with hitting," said an appreciative head coach. Jay Olson is the freshman head coach.

Date Time Opponent Location
04/03/18 03:45 PM Pilgrim Vets Middle School
04/05/18 04:00 PM Toll Gate Pierce
04/13/18 04:00 PM Moses Brown Pierce
04/17/18 04:00 PM Middletown Gaudet Middle School
04/19/18 04:00 PM Lincoln Pierce
04/21/18 01:00 PM South Kingstown Old Mountain Field
04/23/18 04:00 PM North Providence Pierce
04/25/18 04:00 PM North Kingstown North Kingstown High School
04/27/18 04:00 PM Bishop Hendricken Pierce
05/01/18 06:00 PM Johnston Johnston
05/03/18 03:45 PM Coventry Coventry
05/07/18 04:00 PM Cranston East Cranston Stadium
05/09/18 04:00 PM La Salle Pierce
05/11/18 04:00 PM Cumberland Pierce
05/15/18 04:00 PM East Greenwich East Greenwich High
05/17/18 04:00 PM Central Pierce
05/21/18 04:00 PM Cranston West Cranston West High
05/23/18 04:00 PM Portsmouth Pierce

EPHS Girls Lacrosse Schedule:
Date Time Opponent Location
04/02/18 03:45 PM Prout School EPHS
04/05/18 06:30 PM Smithfield Smithfield
04/09/18 04:00 PM Chariho EPHS
04/13/18 03:45 PM Classical EPHS
04/16/18 06:30 PM East Greenwich East Greenwich
04/18/18 04:15 PM Pilgrim High School Pilgrim
04/23/18 03:45 PM South Kingstown Curtis Corner All
04/27/18 03:45 PM Lincoln EPHS
04/30/18 04:15 PM Lincoln School Faxon Farm
05/03/18 03:45 PM Middletown EPHS
05/08/18 04:00 PM Mt. Hope High Mt. Hope High
05/15/18 03:45 PM Narragansett EPHS
05/17/18 03:45 PM Portsmouth EPHS

EPHS Boys Tennis Schedule:
Date Time Opponent Location
04/04/18 03:30 PM Scituate EPHS
04/06/18 03:30 PM Middletown Middletown
04/10/18 03:30 PM Ponaganset EPHS
04/12/18 03:45 PM Portsmouth Portsmouth
04/17/18 TBD PCD
04/17/18 03:30 PM PCD EPHS
04/24/18 04:00 PM Chariho Chariho
04/24/18 TBD Chariho
04/26/18 TBD Classical
04/26/18 03:30 PM Classical EPHS
05/01/18 03:30 PM Cumberland Cumberland
05/01/18 TBD Cumberland
05/03/18 TBD Exeter W Greenwich
05/03/18 03:30 PM Exeter W Greenwich EPHS
05/08/18 03:30 PM Lincoln Lincoln
05/08/18 TBD Lincoln EPHS
05/10/18 TBD Prout School
05/10/18 03:30 PM Prout School EPHS
05/15/18 03:30 PM West Warwick W Warwick Public Tennis
05/15/18 TBD West Warwick
05/17/18 TBD Cranston West
05/17/18 03:30 PM Cranston West EPHS

EPHS Boys Volleyball Schedule:
Date Time Opponent Location
04/03/18 06:30 PM Chariho EPHS
04/06/18 06:30 PM Bishop Hendricken Hendricken
04/10/18 06:30 PM North Kingstown North Kingstown
04/12/18 06:30 PM Cranston West EPHS
04/16/18 06:30 PM South Kingstown EPHS
04/19/18 06:00 PM Exeter West Greenwich EPHS
04/21/18 09:00 AM Invitational TBA Rhode Island College
Bishop Hendricken High School; Coventry High School; Cranston East; Cranston West;
East Greenwich High School and La Salle Academy .
04/24/18 06:30 PM La Salle Academy EPHS
04/27/18 06:30 PM Coventry Coventry
05/01/18 06:30 PM Mount Saint Charles EPHS
05/04/18 06:30 PM Bishop Hendricken EPHS
05/07/18 06:30 PM Chariho Chariho
05/08/18 06:30 PM North Kingstown EPHS
05/14/18 06:30 PM South Kingstown South Kingstown
05/17/18 06:30 PM Barrington EPHS
05/21/18 06:30 PM Cranston West Cranston West
05/23/18 06:30 PM Exeter West Greenwich Exeter West Greenwich
05/25/18 06:30 PM La Salle Academy LaSalle Academy
05/30/18 06:30 PM Mount Saint Charles Mount Saint Charles
06/01/18 06:30 PM Coventry EPHS

Bay View Spring Teams:
Crew - Novice & V; Golf - V; Lacrosse - JV & V; Outdoor Track - JV & V; Sailing & Softball.

Bay View Softball Schedule:
04-03-18 East Providence Away
04-06-18 La Salle Home
04-09-18 Lincoln Away
04-12-18 Moses Brown Home
04-17-18 North Kingstown Away
04-23-18 North Providence Home
04-25-18 Pilgrim Home
04-27-18 Smithfield Away
05-01-18 Woonsocket Away
05-04-18 Toll Gate Home
05-07-18 Tolman Away
05-11-18 Chariho Home
05-15-18 Coventry Away
05-17-18 Cranston East Home
05-22-18 Cranston West Away
05-24-18 Cumberland Home
More team previews and information will be forthcoming in the next issue and updated on line at ReporterToday.com. If you have information about your local team that you want featured, please email bobrodericks@gmail.com.