Login:  
  Call to Glory - By Mike Lynch
MikeLynch2.jpgIn December of 1997 a slick quarterback by the name of Kyle Van DeGiesen led North Attleboro to a High School Super Bowl win over Swampscott.

Kyle went on to play quarterback at St. Anselm’s College. Shortly after graduation he chased his lifelong dream and became a military pilot, a US Marine Captain. Kyle was killed October 26 in Afghanistan during a midair helicopter collision, it was his third tour of duty and he was due to come home a week later for the birth of his son.
Like any small town, Kyle’s death paralyzed North Attleboro. Yellow ribbons seemed to be wrapped around every lamppost in town and every citizen wrapped themselves in their own memories of Kyle. The town grieved for days with a vigil at the football stadium, his funeral procession drove by that same football field, where Kyle gave this town so many reasons to smile. The Red Rockateer’s scheduled game with Mansfield was postponed until the day after the funeral. Nobody felt like playing, a game seemed meaningless.

The game was re-scheduled for the next afternoon. A town turned its lonely, sad eyes to this squad for 2 hours of diversion. Sports have a way of uniting and galvanizing people like no other activity. Coach Don Johnson told his team to “go out and give the Van DeGiesen family something to smile about.” North Attleboro trailed 25-14 with 1:17 remaining; their physical and emotional tanks were on empty.

Suddenly players began chatting in desperation “we’ve got to win this for Kyle, he’s looking down on us.” Next play – touchdown, 25-20. Onside kick recovered by North Attleboro and with 45 seconds remaining and down to their last play they scored to win it 28-25. There are instruments to measure speed, height and weight, but the human spirit is immeasurable. After the game the team awarded the game ball to Kyle’s brother Ryan, an assistant coach for the Red Rockateers. A week later Kyle’s widow Megan gave birth to a boy named CJ who will receive the game ball and a framed #12 jersey that his dad wore for North Attleboro, the team that put a smile on the face on an entire town when it needed the most.
  
  INDEX
 Jul 15, 10
King of What? - By Mike Lynch
 May 14, 10
Triumph and Courage - By Mike Lynch
 Apr 30, 10
Like Father Like Daughter; Alex Carpenter Is Carving Out Her Own Legacy
 Apr 30, 10
The Year to Remember Continues for Former VJW Player Chris Kreider
 Apr 20, 10
Keeping #5 Alive - By Mike Lynch
 Apr 16, 10
Tournament Action Returns to Haverhill in 2010
 Apr 10, 10
Magical Season Comes to an End for VJW '97 Elites at USA Hockey Nationals
 Apr 9, 10
A Class Act - By Mike Lynch
 Apr 8, 10
VJW '97 Elites Loss Sets Stage for Third Day Showdown at Nationals
 Apr 8, 10
VJW '97 Elites Post 3-2 Win Over Columbus at USA Hockey Nationals
 Apr 6, 10
VJW '97 Elites Arrive in New York; Prepare to Take On Nation's Best
 Apr 2, 10
Former VJW Junior A Player Colin Mulvey Captures NCAA National Title
 Mar 22, 10
VJW '97 Elites Prepare for USA Hockey Nationals
 Mar 21, 10
Chris Kreider - Former VJW Standout - Leads BC to NCAA Tournament
 Mar 17, 10
Nothing is Impossible - By Mike Lynch
 Sep 8, 09
Valley Jr Warriors Excel at Labor Day Face-Off Invitational
 Mar 15, 10
Former VJW Junior A Star Cucci Shines in Hockey East Battle
 Mar 14, 10
VJW Mite Selects Bask in NEHL Championship Glory
 Mar 14, 10
VJW '97 Elites Punch Ticket to USA Hockey Nationals in April
 Mar 14, 10
VJW '99 Selects Celebrate Mass State Select League Championship
 Mar 14, 10
VJW '98 Elites Capture New England Hockey League Title
 Mar 7, 10
Former VJW Junior A Standout Nets Year-End League Honors
 Mar 5, 10
Non Sibi - By Mike Lynch
 Feb 22, 10
What Can You Do For Brown? - By Mike Lynch
 Feb 11, 10
VJW Squirt Major Selects Make a Difference Both On and Off the Ice
 Feb 11, 10
VJW Squirt Major Selects Take Time to Help Others In Need
 Feb 5, 10
Valley Jr Warriors Coach Bob Sweeney Joins Beanpot Hall
 Feb 3, 10
Tewksbury Tough - By Mike Lynch
 Jan 5, 10
VJW Teams Battle For Titles at the 2010 JWK Holiday Tournament
 Jan 19, 10
VJW '98 Elites Jonathan Folsom Featured in Local Newspaper
 Jan 18, 10
Standing Tall - By Mike Lynch
 Jan 5, 10
VJW '98 Selects Capture Boston Jr Terriers Tournament Title
 Jan 4, 10
Taking the Pledge in 2010 - By Mike Lynch
 Dec 31, 09
Valley Jr Warriors '98 Elites Take On Bell Capital Cup Challenge
 Dec 28, 09
Former VJW Standout Chris Kreider & Team USA Are World Champions
 Dec 23, 09
Former VJW Star Kreider Named to the 2010 U.S. National Junior Team
 Dec 23, 09
VJW '97 Elites Take Their Game to Canada
 Dec 17, 09
Holiday Shopping List - By Mike Lynch
 Dec 14, 09
Haverhill Valley Forum Enjoys Its Fourth Year of Operation In Style
 Dec 11, 09
Eastern Junior Hockey League Featured in Recent USA Hockey Magazine
 Dec 6, 09
Walking Tall - By Mike Lynch
 Dec 4, 09
Former VJW Players Shine On Collegiate Scene
 Nov 18, 09
Call to Glory - By Mike Lynch
 Nov 15, 09
14th Annual Warrior Classic Comes to a Close
 Nov 15, 09
VJW Teams Battle at Mass State Championship Playdowns
 Nov 12, 09
Riki Retelle Earns EJHL Defensive Player of the Week Honors
 Nov 12, 09
VJW Teams Set For Mass Hockey Tier I & Tier II State Championship Playdowns
 Nov 10, 09
Valley Jr Warriors Junior As Enjoy Weekend Sweep Over CD Selects
 Nov 8, 09
Welcome Home - 4 VJW Teams Return After Strong Showing in Chicago
 Nov 6, 09
Courage - By Mike Lynch
 Nov 1, 09
VJW Teams Poised to Face the Best of the Best
 Oct 30, 09
VJW Junior A Team Making Big Strides
 Oct 13, 09
VJW U-16 IIs Continue Winning and Championship Ways
 Oct 20, 09
The Golden Tornado - By Mike Lynch
 Oct 20, 09
VJW '95 Elites - Picking Up Where They Left Off
 Oct 20, 09
Steve MacAdams Brings Experience & Success to VJW
 Oct 25, 09
USA Hockey Announces H1N1 Recommendations
 Oct 5, 09
No Early Season Jitters for the VJW '98 Elites
 Oct 5, 09
Great Expectations - From Mike Lynch
 Sep 29, 09
VJW Mite Minors Off to a Fast (and Fun!) Start
 Sep 22, 09
VJW '99 Selects Make a Difference On and Off the Ice
 Sep 21, 09
VJW U-16 Midget Standout Brian Ward Heads to Dartmouth College
 Sep 16, 09
VJW Teams Post Impressive 5-1 Record Against Team Comcast
 Sep 16, 09
VJW '96 Selects Skate to Victory at Summer Cool-Off Tournament
 Sep 15, 09
Tom Terrific - Mike Lynch Reflects on Tom Brady
 Sep 8, 09
Valley Jr Warriors '98 Elites Capture WNS Title
 Sep 9, 09
VJW - Junior A Season Preview
 Sep 2, 09
A Happy New Year From Mike Lynch
 Aug 18, 09
VJW's JJ Layton Heads to Little League World Series
 Jul 19, 09
VJW Players Shine at 2009 USA Hockey Player Development Camp
 Jun 29, 09
Chris Kreider Selected No. 19 in 2009 NHL Entry Draft
 Jun 18, 09
VJW Tournaments Make a Return to Haverhill in 2009
 Jun 1, 09
VJW Junior A Team Welcomes Two Key Players for 2009-10 Season