Rhode Island Hockey Team Rallies to Championship After Tragedy

Blackstone Valley Co-op hockey team reaches state final after deadly shooting at ice rink

Mar. 19, 2026 at 12:39am

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The Blackstone Valley Co-op high school hockey team in Rhode Island has reached the state championship game despite the tragic loss of three family members of their team captain, Colin Dorgan, who were killed in a shooting at the team's ice rink. The team took time off and received counseling, but ultimately decided to continue the season, with Dorgan returning to lead them to the finals against Lincoln High School.

Why it matters

The shooting at the ice rink shook the close-knit hockey community in Rhode Island, raising questions about how the team and community could move forward. The team's resilience and success in reaching the championship game has inspired many and shined a light on the healing process after such a traumatic event.

The details

On February 16, a gunman opened fire at the ice rink where the Blackstone Valley Co-op hockey team was playing, killing Colin Dorgan's mother, brother, and grandfather. Two others were also severely injured before the shooter, identified as Robert Dorgan, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The team took time off and received counseling, and while some players initially hesitated to return, the entire team ultimately decided to continue the season, with Colin Dorgan leading them to the state championship game.

  • The shooting occurred on February 16, 2026 during a Blackstone Valley Co-op hockey game.
  • The team took 10 days off after the shooting to receive counseling.
  • The team's playoff run and championship game is taking place in March 2026.

The players

Colin Dorgan

The high school senior and team captain of the Blackstone Valley Co-op hockey team, whose mother, brother, and grandfather were killed in the shooting at the ice rink.

Chris Librizzi

The head coach of the Blackstone Valley Co-op hockey team, a retired firefighter who has coached for over 30 years.

Robert Dorgan

The shooter who opened fire at the ice rink, killing Colin Dorgan's family members before dying from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Rhonda Dorgan

Colin Dorgan's mother, who was killed in the shooting at the ice rink.

Aidan Dorgan

Colin Dorgan's brother, who was also killed in the shooting at the ice rink.

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What they’re saying

“It's just a game for Lincoln High School and for everybody that's coming here, but for us who lived through that shooting? It's our lives. It's a tragedy we all went through and are still healing from it.”

— Chris Librizzi, Blackstone Valley Co-op head coach

“We're all still struggling with it. We just need to be family with each other, we need to be supportive of each other moving forward and to heal from this.”

— Chris Librizzi, Blackstone Valley Co-op head coach

What’s next

The Blackstone Valley Co-op hockey team will face off against Lincoln High School in the Rhode Island Division 2 boys' state championship game on Wednesday.

The takeaway

The Blackstone Valley Co-op hockey team's resilience and success in reaching the state championship game after the tragic shooting that killed three of their own has inspired the community and highlighted the importance of support and healing in the aftermath of such a traumatic event.