Local leaders honor CHS hockey state champs

In a special presentation at the start of last Thursday’s School Committee meeting, local leaders came together to formally congratulate the players and coaches on the Division 2 state champion Canton High boys ice hockey team.

Not only did the Bulldogs finish the job by knocking off No. 2 Tewksbury in the championship game at the TD Garden, but they epitomized excellence all season long, noted CHS Athletic Director Danny Erickson, pointing to their final record of 24-1 and their No. 1 overall ranking in the Boston Globe’s high school hockey poll — ahead of perennial D1 powers like Pope Francis, St. John’s and Catholic Memorial.

“The level at which we play is just different than the other teams we’re playing against,” said Erickson. “It’s just unbelievable — the cohesion, the passing … and they are a wonderful group of kids.”

Erickson also heaped praise on head coach Brian Shuman and his dedicated staff of assistants, including Tim Ford, Steve Mullaney, Scott Connolly and Matty Marcone. The Canton AD said Shuman is in a “different class” than any other coach he has dealt with, and based on his research, he said he could confidently proclaim Shuman as the “winningest coach in Canton High School history,” with more than 370 career victories and five state titles across 21 seasons.

“Brian,” said Erickson, “is a master coach who has found a sweet spot of having high expectations, holding team members accountable, and bringing joy to the experience and selflessness to the process.”

Also on hand to congratulate the team members were Select Board Chair JR McCourt and state Senator Paul Feeney.

“You have brought pride to yourselves, to your team, to your school, and to your town,” McCourt told the players in attendance. “You worked as a team, you showed solidarity, and you’ve done an incredible job in everything you did throughout the entire season.”

Feeney said this year’s Bulldog hockey team exemplified the qualities of a champion. “You have shown it through Canton pride,” he said. “You have shown the community what it means to be a leader. You’ve stepped up, you’ve taken care of each other, and you’ve done it for each other and with each other and don’t ever, ever forget that.”

McCourt presented Coach Shuman with a congratulatory plaque on behalf of the town and the Select Board, and Feeney announced that they will be bringing the entire team to the State House, where they will “celebrate them in grand style.”

Members of the School Committee also offered words of congratulations and praise, underscoring the tremendous impact the high schoolers have had on the younger members of the community.

“You guys are making incredible impressions on young kids, and you personify … excellence and teamwork,” said committee member Amanda Ryder. Committee Chair Kim McCourt added that it was “pretty incredible” to witness Canton players shake the hands of all of the referees after the championship game. “It really speaks volumes about all of your character,” she said.

Shuman echoed McCourt’s sentiments about the players on the team, which included his son, senior Teddy Shuman. “I tied their skates for the first time when they were learn-to-skaters down at the old Ponky Rink,” he said, “and to watch them grow up into what you see right here is just overwhelming. “I just can’t say enough good things about what they’ve accomplished this year and what they’ve accomplished throughout their young lives so far.”

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Apr 2 2026. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.