Beyond the Bulldogs: High School Hockey Round-Up

While the Bulldogs were busy making history this season with their unforgettable run to the Division 2 state championship and unbeaten finish, a number of other local residents were enjoying special seasons of their own for their respective high school programs.

Canton’s PJ Donahue is now a 2-time Super 8 champion.

Headlining this group is Canton’s own PJ Donahue, who recently won his second straight MIAA Division 1A state title as a member of the BC High Eagles. A senior captain and standout defenseman, Donahue helped guide the Eagles to a 20-3-2 record and a No. 1 state ranking, culminating with a 2-1 win over Pope Francis at the TD Garden in a game that required four overtimes to decide (a new MIAA record). Donahue also received several individual accolades for his stellar play this season, including selections to the Catholic Conference and Shriners Hockey All-Star teams.

Also making his mark on the ice this season was Canton resident Brendan Spinale. A junior at Blue Hills Regional, Spinale was the leading scorer for the Warriors as a defenseman and was named an All-Mayflower League selection while garnering team MVP honors.

Also representing the Spinale family and making Canton very proud were Xaverian sophomore Shane Spinale and Xaverian head coach David Spinale, who made it all the way to the Super 8 semifinals as a No. 10 seed after winning their initial play-in game. The Hawks reeled off wins against Austin Prep, Arlington and Hingham before bowing to Donahue’s Eagles in the finals of the loser’s bracket.

David Spinale was also recently notified that he will be receiving the Boston Globe’s Division 1A Coach of the Year award, a prestigious honor that recognizes the top coach in the Super 8 field. Spinale, however, is not alone in this regard as two fellow Canton residents will be collecting similar hardware — the Bulldogs’ Brian Shuman, who is this year’s Division 2 Coach of the Year, and Duxbury High head coach John Blake, who lost to Spinale’s Hawks in the Super 8 play-in but went on to lead his Dragons team to the Division 1 state championship. Congratulations to all three Canton coaches on a well-deserved honor.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Apr 6 2019. Filed under Beyond CHS, High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.