Back in 2008, Milton girls hockey head coach Matt Lodi got a coaching gig with Natick’s boys junior varsity program.
It was his introduction to coaching high school athletics. And from year to year since – and in his case, program to program – there’s a lot to absorb. Many details might fade.
But after 17 years, he never forgot what it was like when he first started coaching against Ken Assad, who, before he took the King Philip girls head coaching role, coached the Franklin boys JV team.
“First and foremost, Kenny was always a top-notch person,” Lodi said. “It was really my first experience coaching high school athletics. I remember even back then how welcoming he was, passionate about the game. … He always cared so much (about his teams), whatever the level it was.”
Hearts broke throughout the hockey community on Dec. 21, when the news broke that Assad – who had just coached his King Philip girls to a 6-0 win over Stoughton the night before – unexpectedly passed in the morning.
He told Stoughton girls head coach Chad Kelley the night of the game that he wasn’t feeling well, but it didn’t seem to Kelley that it at really affected his attitude or energy. Kelley was devastated when he found out the next day.
It became clear very quickly how crushed the Franklin and King Philip communities were over Assad’s passing. He had a well-decorated career as a player for the Panthers before coaching in the Franklin youth and high school programs. He switched over to coach girls at King Philip, and over seven years, turned a bit of a rocky program into a legitimate threat in the Div. 2 field this season.
Last year, the group won its first Hockomock League title. Assad raved about the Warriors’ potential, and it’s showing early on in a 7-0 start entering Wednesday. His excitement, passion, dedication and mentorship are just some of the many things that made him beloved in those communities.
They’re also the traits that any coach that ever came across him admired. Assad’s relationship with players, who he kept in contact with year-round and would show interest in their other sports, especially sticks out.
“The thing that a lot of people don’t know about Kenny is, off the ice, he supported all the girls like you wouldn’t believe,” said Medfield girls head coach John Summers. “It’s amazing what he’s done with the (players) he’s coached for years. He’s their biggest supporter. … I kind of mirror what Kenny’s done all these years.”
“He’s just done such a good job developing players in his program, and he’s just well liked,” Kelley added. “He’d always make it a point to even (support) our kids.”
Every team in the Hockomock League plays King Philip every year, as well as teams out of the Tri-Valley League in what’s been a notable collaboration.
Franklin girls coach Brendan LaMarre helped come up with the idea to make professional stickers in honor of Assad for players to wear on their helmets. Teams in both leagues, along with Milton as soon as Lodi heard about it, are wearing the stickers for at least a few games in a simple but emotional gesture.
A boys player from Stoughton was even able to make some “rush-order” stickers until those were available, which Kelley and his players wore on Dec. 23 in a 3-2 win over Cambridge.
“I’m getting calls and texts from coaches out of our conference that want to be involved, too,” Summers added. “Kenny had an impact on all the coaches around.”
Along with his general kindness was Assad’s willingness to share information and promote the game.
Lodi, Summers and Kelley talked in great length about his preparation, and how he was able to break down opponents for his teams to be as ready as possible. Lodi even reached out to Assad to get some information on Medfield ahead of the Div. 2 state championship in March – and Assad was able to identify many details he was sure to light-heartedly remind Lodi of after Medfield beat his Milton team.
“He’s what I would describe as a hockey junkie,” Kelley said.
Duxbury coach Dan Najarian was looking forward to coaching against Assad for the first time this year, finally being able to add King Philip to the Dragons’ schedule. He didn’t know him personally, but he always thought highly of his impact on his program and the game.
And back when Canton and Duxbury were chief rivals in 2022 and faced each other in the 2023 Div. 2 state final, Najarian asked Assad for some notes on the Bulldogs. They were extensive, and very helpful toward a 5-2 win for the state title.
“We’ve shared a ton of information,” Najarian said. “Just the generosity and the willingness to reach out and help another coach. I’m probably just a pebble in the long road of all the people that he helped along the way. … He’s just a guy that loves to talk hockey and is willing to share information.”
Surging St. John’s
The St. John’s of Shrewsbury boys have just two blemishes this year — an overtime loss to Pope Francis and a penalty-ridden upset loss to Arlington Catholic.
Both came in its first three games.
The Pioneers (7-2) have won six straight since, starting the daunting Catholic Conference schedule at 3-0. A third-period comeback win over defending state champion Catholic Memorial showed off their late-game composure. So did a 2-1 overtime win over previously unbeaten Xaverian, which had scored at least three goals in all but one game prior.
One timer
New Waltham boys head coach Chris Maguire is giving father John Maguire plenty to be proud of, leading the program to its best start (9-0) in the power rankings era in his first year taking over for the retired Hall of Famer.
