Saugus hockey seniors leave legacy of grit and mentorship despite tough season

By Dom Nicastro

It wasn’t the season Ryan Jones and Dom Chianca of Saugus envisioned for the Peabody-Saugus High School boys hockey team. The team finished 5-12-1 and scored 56 goals while allowing 104.

But forward Jones and defenseman Chianca, the lone seniors from Saugus on the cooperative boys’ hockey program, certainly went out leaving it all on the ice. And the coach noticed. Jason Marshall, coach of the Tanners, was impressed with the effort of captain Jones and Chianca. Their presence alone on the team demonstrates their commitment to hockey.

When Saugus was forced to end its program because of low participation numbers last year, it teamed up with Peabody. And no matter the colors on their jerseys or the rink in which they play, Jones and Chianca just needed a sheet of ice, a pair of skates and some equipment. And they were more than happy.

“Ryan was one of my captains,” Marshall said. “He has a great passion for the game and was a fantastic teammate.” Jones finished the season with four goals and four assists over 17 games.

“For Dom, this was his first year with the program,” Marshall said. “He was a highly skilled player and had a highly competitive drive.” And he had not-so-bad stats for a first-year player: 10 goals and 10 assists over 17 games.

“I would say that being a leader is something I’m proud to have contributed to the team because I was able to help the younger guys and kind of mentor them which was awesome this season,” Chianca said.

Speaking of leadership, that’s something Jones recalls among his most fond achievements for Peabody-Saugus. “I’m most proud that I was able to be a captain of the team because I was given the opportunity to lead and be a role model to my teammates,” Jones said. “Overall it was a fun experience being able to merge with another school and form a bond with the kids from Peabody.”

If the program continues to stay together, Jones believes it will see success in the next years since it has players and coaches who are now experienced at the varsity level.

“Just enjoy your time playing because the time flies by,” said Jones, when asked to give advice to the players in the program.

Jones started playing for Saugus varsity when he was an eighth grader and played until his sophomore year, then he finished out his career playing for the Peabody-Saugus varsity team.

“I hope to continue my athletic career in golf,” Jones said. “I am planning on attending Salem State University to major in business.”

Chianca said he told next year’s players to stick with it because they’ll never have something like that again after their senior season.

Chianca started playing hockey when he was around two years old, playing town hockey for Everett-Revere, then played Vipers travel hockey. Next is lacrosse for Saugus.

“I am going to join either the pipefitters’ union or the plumbers’ union right after high and begin working,” he added.

Chianca said it was great being a part of the cooperative program with another school, even if it’s Saugus’ Thanksgiving football rivals. “Everybody got along well,” he said, “and I would say everybody grew closer as the season rolled on. This program has potential to be good in the next few years. They have some great skaters and playmakers.”