High School Hockey Star Scores Championship Goal After Family Tragedy
In a poignant and emotionally charged moment, high school hockey star Colin Dorgan scored the overtime goal that propelled his team to the championship final, just weeks after a horrific family tragedy unfolded during one of his games. The 17-year-old forward netted the decisive goal for Blackstone Valley Schools Co-op, securing a dramatic 3-2 victory over Portsmouth and booking their place in the Rhode Island Division 2 championship game.
A Tragedy That Shook the Community
This triumphant sporting achievement comes less than a month after a devastating incident at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket. During a game where Colin was playing on the ice, his transgender father, Robert Dorgan, who also went by the name Roberta Esposito, opened fire in the stands, killing three members of their family before taking his own life.
The victims included Colin's 23-year-old brother, Aidan Dorgan, and his 52-year-old mother, Rhonda Dorgan, who both died at the scene. Their grandfather, Gerald, was critically injured in the attack and later succumbed to his wounds. Colin's grandmother, Linda, and a family friend, Thomas Geruso, were also seriously injured. Colin witnessed the entire tragedy unfold from the ice, adding an unimaginable layer of trauma to the event.
A Return to the Ice and a Tribute to Loved Ones
Following the shooting, the Rhode Island Interscholastic League suspended all activities. However, on Wednesday night, Colin Dorgan made a courageous return to the ice. Playing with the initials of his lost loved ones on his jersey as a tribute, he described scoring the winning goal as "the greatest moment of my life."
"My good buddy fed me the puck and I could hear the crowd... it was a surreal moment," Dorgan told WPRI after the game. He emphasized the importance of team unity during this difficult period, stating, "We have to stick together... it's a hard time for everyone. We have each other's back and we truly love each other," referring to his teammates as "my brothers."
Team Support and Coach's Emotional Reaction
The team's head coach, Chris Librizzi, was visibly moved by the victory and Colin's performance. "I literally cried like a baby, the floodgates opened... when I saw him open, I knew he was golden," Librizzi revealed. He detailed the extensive support network the team has provided for Colin and his sister, Ava, in the wake of the shooting.
"We got together every single day," Librizzi explained. "We skated, worked out, or had dinner at night together for 14 days straight. I believe that made a difference." This consistent camaraderie has been crucial in helping the young athlete cope with his profound loss.
Ominous Warnings and a Community Rallying
In the days leading up to the fatal attack, Robert Dorgan appeared to post disturbing messages online. An online profile believed to be his shared an eerie video of a woman loading ammunition magazines into a handgun while on a treadmill. Another post on X, from a profile named 'Roberta Dorgano', threatened to go "BERSERK" while defending transgender Congresswoman Sarah McBride, writing, "Keep bashing us... But do not wonder why we Go BESERK."
In the aftermath, the community has rallied around the surviving family members. A GoFundMe page was established by Rhonda's stepdaughter, Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, to support Colin and his sister Ava. "The weight of this loss is something no one should ever have to bear, especially at such young ages," Wallace-Hubbard wrote. "Despite the pain, Ava and Colin are determined to continue their education and build a life that honors the memory of our loved ones."
The championship final is scheduled to take place in Providence on March 18, where Colin Dorgan and his team will compete for the title, carrying the memory of his family with him every step of the way.
