The Blackstone Valley Schools hockey community may be facing a major shake-up, and not everyone is on board with the proposed changes.
North Smithfield is reportedly looking to leave its current co-op—which includes St. Raphael, Providence Country Day, and North Providence—and join the Burrillville/Ponaganset team for the 2026-27 season. Burrillville and Ponaganset, who formed their own co-op this past season, could continue as a duo without North Smithfield’s addition.
But the potential split comes at a sensitive time. Just months after a tragic shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena on Feb. 16, North Smithfield students, parents, and head coach Chris Librizzi are speaking out against the move, warning it could undo the emotional progress their players have made.
“Here we are in the state of trying to heal these kids and move them forward in the healing process so that they can recover together,” Librizzi said. “Sticks together, stronger forever has been our motto and now this is going to set them back. The freshmen should ride out the next three years with the same team and the same coach to heal.”
The team’s bond was forged in tragedy and tested on the ice. Just 18 days after the shooting, the Blackstone Valley Schools squad returned to competition, rallying for a quarterfinal win against the Rogers, Middletown, Tiverton, Mt. Hope, and East Providence co-op. That victory sparked an unforgettable playoff run, highlighted by Colin Dorgan—who lost three family members in the shooting—scoring the winning goal in double-overtime during the Frozen Four. He then added another goal in the closing seconds of regulation in the championship game.
The team captured the nation’s attention with a quadruple-overtime thriller in the title game, as Jaxon Boyes netted the game-winner against Lincoln.
“These kids are struggling,” Librizzi added. “I can tell you I'm receiving messages from parents. I'm talking to kids on our team and now that we're not together every day like we were, the healing process is at risk.”
North Smithfield athletic director Robert McAnulty did not respond to requests for comment. The next North Smithfield School Committee meeting is scheduled for May 19, where the future of the co-op may be decided.