Librizzi receives award from R.I. Reds Heritage Society

By Pete Fontaine
Posted 8/11/16

Warwick's Zach Librizzi was in some mighty select company Sunday afternoon inside Goddard Memorial State Park. The recent St. Raphael Academy graduate sat on stage with some of the biggest names in professional hockey; legends like

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Librizzi receives award from R.I. Reds Heritage Society

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Warwick’s Zach Librizzi was in some mighty select company Sunday afternoon inside Goddard Memorial State Park.

The recent St. Raphael Academy graduate sat on stage with some of the biggest names in professional hockey; legends like one-time Boston Bruins star Don McKenney, Jack Ferreira, who is now in the Los Angeles Kings front office and recent American Hockey League Hall of Fame inductee Bruce Cline.

He was also seated among two dozen or so former pros whose names appeared on the history-steeped rosters during the legendary 51-year history of the Rhode Island Reds, who won the Calder Cup Championship in 1955-56 and dazzled this state’s hockey fans for 51 years at the Rhode Island Auditorium.

Librizzi watched – and listened – to emcee Tom McDonough talk about the greatness of stars like McKenney, who received the Society’s Tops Award that’s given in memory of all-time Reds great Zellio Toppazzini. He heard stories about Ferreira, the Fox Point native who has enjoyed a 44-year career in hockey administration with five NHL clubs and was honored with the non-profit group’s R.I. Native Son Award.

There were other presentations like the “Fan of the Year” Award to the late Larry D’Alfonso, and Toppazzini’s widow Phyllis was presented with Frankie Galasso’s framed cartoon of the rooster crying when “Topper” passed away.

Librizzi, meanwhile, came in for his share of accolades from McDonough and Rick Scherza, a one-time Cranston Public Schools administrator and son of the late Reds great Chuck Scherza, whose name is affixed to one of three “Unsung Hero” Awards the Society received Sunday.

Librizzi received the prestigious Chuck Scherza Award, the legendary and late Reds’ forward, who was a superstar with the one-time AHL franchise.

Three other high school stars – Victoria Hartley (La Salle goalie); Brittney Bidwell (Cranston/EG co-op forward) and David Gaulin (Smithfield defensemen) – were honored with “Unsung Hero” Awards for their performances during the recently completed high school season.

When McDonough called Librizzi to the podium to accept his award from Scherza, he announced that “Zach was a four-year starter for the St. Raphael Academy/Providence Country Day/Wheeler co-op team and enjoyed success despite being diagnosed with Type I juvenile diabetes.”

McDonough, who played his high school hockey years ago at St. Ray’s and gave a special toast to Librizzi, continued: “Zach has never – ever – let the illness define him. He serves as a mentor and volunteer counselor for youngsters who are newly diagnosed. Early this season, he suffered a knee injury but came back to complete this season and had eight goals and six assists.”

Librizzi was selected by a committee that is made up of officials, coaches and Reds Board Members that selects the “Unsung Hero” Award winners based on academics, sportsmanship, team play and support, school/community support, hardships and obstacles overcome, perseverance, leadership, hockey ability and other intangible qualities.

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