BUFFALO – Eight seniors from the Rhode Island Division II High School champion Blackstone Valley Schools showed up at the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft to lend a hand with the proceedings at KeyBank Center on Friday.
The Blackstone Valley players took the suit coat from each drafted NHL player in the first round and then handed them a personalized jersey from the NHL team which made the selection.
"I’m truly appreciative of the NHL for giving us this opportunity and I am just thankful to be able to meet these young kids who are similar to my own age that are getting drafted into the NHL,'" said Blackstone Valley captain Colin Dorgan. "I give them props and I hope they do great things in the NHL and I get to watch them on TV."
It was an emotional evening for the BV players, who have been at the forefront of the hockey consciousness since a tragic shooting on Feb. 16 killed Colin’s mother, Rhonda Dorgan, brother, Aidan Dorgan, and grandfather, Gerald Dorgan in the stands at the team's Senior Day game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena. Colin's father, Robert Dorgan, was identified by police as the shooter. He also was killed.
"They experienced an incredible tragedy this past winter and then emerged triumphant, winning the Rhode Island Division II boys' high school state championship," NHL Commissioner. "Led by their captain Colin Dorgan, they will present NHL sweaters to each selection that takes the stage tonight."
Each of the eight seniors in attendance wore a white Blackstone Valley Schools jersey (two seniors missed the trip with previous commitments). Each jersey was adorned with a shoulder patch of a red heart with the initials of each of the three shooting victims.
The job Friday came with the perks of meeting players that will soon be plying their trade in the NHL, including Gavin McKenna, who was the No. 1 selection in the draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"I got to meet the first pick, that was pretty surreal," Dorgan said. "My heart was racing a bit before giving the jerseys out, but I got into a routine."
Dorgan smiled as he talked about being on the same stage as pop icon Justin Bieber, who announced the McKenna pick, and meeting country music star Luke Bryan, who announced the first selection of the Nashville Predators.
"I took a picture with him," Dorgan said. "He was really nice and the Southern accent was very real."
The players and their families made the drive from Providence, Rhode Island to Buffalo Thursday, having a team dinner after arriving. Before the draft Friday, they visited Niagara Falls and had lunch at the Anchor Bar, the birthplace of the Buffalo wing.
Blackstone coach Chris Librizzi took the stage about halfway through the first round and thanked the NHL and hockey fans through North America for the love and the empathy showered upon the team in the past four months.
"It was an amazing opportunity and feeling to be able to express our gratitude," Librizzi said.
The coach said the speech was the latest hurdle for him in the recovery journey.
"I have been having a very hard time talking to the general public without breaking down when I mention Colin or his sister Ava’s name," he said. "Today was a big step for me. That didn't happen. (Colin) wouldn't let it happen.
"He kept telling me you got this, 'you got this.' He's a tremendous kid. I love this kid. I will always be here for him forever. It was just nice to come out and say thank you."
Librizzi said he relished the opportunity to spend time with the seniors on his team before they go their separate ways next year. The bonding opportunities this trip presented were invaluable.
"We are staying together as a hockey family and we are bonded forever," he said.
