BOSTON, Mass. – The Merrimack College men's hockey team was honored at the Massachusetts State House in Boston on Thursday, less than one month after claiming the program's first-ever Hockey East Championship.
Massachusetts senator Barry Finegold, who represents the Second Essex and Middlesex District, and senator Bruce Tarr, who represents First Essex and Middlesex District, joined Merrimack head coach
Scott Borek and more than a dozen players from the 2025-26 team.
"It's a big deal what you've accomplished," Finegold said as he addressed players. "As a state senator that represents the district you're in, can't be more proud of what you've accomplished. Merrimack is not that little school. Merrimack is now a powerhouse in sports. And what you've done is clearly put them on the map."
Both Finegold and Tarr spoke about Merrimack's road to the Hockey East title, which included taking down the top three teams in the conference standings – No. 1 Providence, No. 2 UMass and No. 3 UConn.
"You all stood up to teams with bigger schools, from teams who had maybe a little bit longer legacy, and you proved what you were made of," Tarr said. "You showed the whole world what persistence, heart and dedication can do. Those are the kind of values we should be showcasing at the state house, and you personified them."
The celebration serves as the latest following for the 2025-26 campaign. The Warriors, however, already shifted gears to the 2026-27 season having recently announced 18 players from the title-winning team will return to North Andover next season.
Finegold and Tarr are among those who would be more than happy to see Merrimack back in Boston again next season.
"What I'm even more excited about are I hear the vast majority of you are returning," Finegold said. "So, next year when you come back, we're going to be talking about a national championship and stuff like that."
