Passion and persistence: How three Revere hockey players keep high school hockey alive

By Dom Nicastro

The Revere High School hockey trio of Frankie Annunziata, Ollie Svendsen and Matt Lacroix certainly made the most of their season with the Everett-Revere-Malden-Mystic Valley cooperative boys hockey team. As the lone trio from Revere, their participation alone showed their passion for the sport. And they also served as strong contributors, with Svendsen as a senior captain, senior Lacroix as a consistent performer and Annunziata as an up-and-coming sophomore.

The Revere Advocate caught up with the trio that played on the 6-13-1 cooperative Division 1 team.

Advocate: Can you share stats on yourself for this season and any other seasons you want to add?

Svendsen: This season I had six goals and nine assists.

Lacroix: This season I had 23 points.

Annunziata: On the year, I had 11 points. Seven goals, four assists. This year was my sophomore year. On my freshman year, I put up 24 points so kind of a fall-off as far as that goes but I look forward to put up more numbers next season.

Advocate: How do you feel about your personal efforts this year?

  Svendsen: I feel great about my personal efforts during the season. I didn’t miss one practice. Everyone’s always going to wish they worked harder when it’s over. I left it all out on the ice when that last buzzer rang.

Lacroix: I feel really good about my personal effort this year. Although I dealt with some serious injuries throughout the season, I persevered through them so I would be able to play my last season at my best.

Annunziata: My personal effort could have definitely been better seeing the outcome, but not much to say on that. But definitely could have been better.

Advocate: How do you feel about the team’s effort?

Svendsen: We battled every game. We had a tough schedule. We could’ve easily took a different route and got into the tournament, but I’m glad we scheduled harder, and it gave us some intense games.

Lacroix: I feel the team didn’t put in much effort. Most practices we had an average of about four people missing, which affected us negatively come game time. For example, the practice before we would work on a new forecheck to counter the other team. But when kids would miss practice, they would be clueless when put out on the ice.

Annunziata: Between all four teams, there was definitely a strong chemistry and friendships built through the years, which carried on this year. So pretty positive all around.

Advocate: Being the lone trio from Revere, tell me about your relationship.

  Svendsen: I’ve played and been around Frankie and Matt ever since I started hockey. I grew up playing with Matt and Frankie’s older brother Austin. I never got to play with Frankie until high school, but I’m glad I did because he’s quite the character. I usually take Matt and Frankie to practices unless Matt is driving. On the other hand, I am with Matt every day in school. He is in two of my classes, and I’m thankful I have someone to share the love of the game with at my school despite the low numbers.

Lacroix: Our relationship is like a brotherhood. We do everything together: get lunch, play golf, pretty much go anywhere and do anything with each other. As [for] carpooling, Ollie and I both drive so we switch off taking Frankie, even though we end up getting lunch all together after school. I’ve been playing with these guys for 13-14 years, so the connection we have is unbreakable.

Annunziata: Definitely a strong bond between the three of us – with them two heading off and me soon to be the only RHS hockey player is tough especially with the friendship we all have since we’ve been playing together basically our whole lives.

Advocate: Would you like to see Revere someday get back to a full team and what is it going to take?

  Svendsen: It’s sad to say, but the decline in some sports stinks to see. With myself and Matt graduating, Frankie is the only returning varsity hockey athlete. I am unsure of any upcoming freshmen. It’s tough nowadays with private schools taking kids from public schools.

Lacroix: As much as I would love for Revere to have their own team, there isn’t much faith. Frankie will be the only returning varsity player from Revere next year.

Annunziata: I definitely would like to see it, but unfortunately it wouldn’t happen in my years. But I hope it happens but it would take a lot.

Advocate: Are there challenges in playing in a co-op? If so, what are they?

Svendsen: There are definitely some challenges in playing in a co-op. Joining forces with kids from other schools isn’t easy especially when Revere and Everett were rivals in hockey. Lucky for us, almost all of us went through the Everett/Revere Youth Hockey program so we all knew each other. The kids l did not know were from Mystic Valley, but I learned to love them like a brother real fast. I’m glad I got to share the ice with those guys and will never forget it.

Lacroix: At first there was definitely some challenges, like meeting new people and learning to play with them. But luckily most players on our high school team played Everett/Revere Youth Hockey so we had a strong bond and connection on and off the ice.

Annunziata: At first there could be challenges, but as the year goes on everyone gets along and hangs out outside of practice, which creates a big team bond.

Advocate: What’s next for you academically, athletically and how do you stay busy in the summer?

  Svendsen: I have not decided where I will continue my academics, but I do plan on attending a four-year college. Next athletically, I was named captain for the Revere High baseball team. I plan on a strong season and making a push for a tournament run.

Lacroix: I am unsure of what’s next. I have been in contact with a few D3 colleges for hockey and some D1 colleges for lacrosse. My goal is definitely to play at the next level, but we’ll see.

Annunziata: I plan to stay active in the summer with the sport. With losing so many seniors, I know next year is going to be tough to put up numbers so I know I have to work harder with the time I have. I’m not too worried about my plan for my academic career, but that’s definitely in store in the next two years.