Towns combine high school hockey programs

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Two high school hockey teams in Rhode Island will play as one.

North Providence’s hockey program was facing elimination because only six players were planning to return. And finances being what they are, superintendent Donna Ottaviano said the town was looking for a creative way to save money while saving one of the sports offered to students.

So, she reached out to neighboring Johnston in search of a solution.  A deal to join forces was done in two months.

Johnston and North Providence, both in Division 3, will combine to form one co-op team, which is allowed under the rules of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League.

“I feel it’s definitely win-win for both schools. I think for North Providence to salvage their program, and for Johnston because now we have a pool of more kids,“ said Garry Mazzie, assistant athletic director in Johnston schools.

The former rivals on the ice have already warmed up to each other.

“We played with them during the summer. We got along really well. We developed friendships,“ said Zach Murphy, a North Providence hockey player.

The two communities will split the costs, saving about $12,000 each.