Kilroe, Sicchio in Key Roles for Franklin High Sextet

James Kilroe and Tom Sicchio have some things in common.
Both seniors at Franklin High, they’re honor-roll students who play ice hockey year-round. They also were part of a state championship squad last year as juniors when the Panthers edged St. Mary’s of Lynn, 4-3, to win the crown. Now, they’re the captains, and they’ll play key roles in the days ahead, influencing their teammates as Franklin aims for a state-title repeat.
Kilroe is a 6-foot, 150-pound center and Sicchio is a 5-foot-7, 170-pound defenseman. Both see a second straight state championship as realistic, but they’re acutely aware that certain factors have to fall into place if back-to-back titles are in Franklin’s future.
“My goal coming into the season was to win a second state title,’’ Kilroe said. “What we need to complete the mission is to gain momentum and stay healthy. My role as a captain will be to rally the troops, help everyone focus on preparation, and set an optimistic tone.’’
Sicchio emphasized that his prime objective early on was “to be in the mix for another state championship.’’ He echoes Kilroe’s philosophy in inspiring their teammates as the playoffs near, but he’s also emphatic on another front. “To win the tourney again, we’ve got to stick to our game plan and rely on what’s been successful,’’ he said. “If we get down, we can’t give up.’’
Sicchio has been a big key for the Panthers, because he’s only one of two veteran defensemen who returned from last year. He and Stan Carter have helped six new skaters get comfortable in their role as defensemen this season.
“Both Tom and James have been tremendous leaders, both on and off the ice,’’ said Franklin coach Chris Spillane. “They give great effort, and they’re also good students. Tom is the leader of our defense, helping six new players learn the position. He’s small, but he plays big. A good passer, he’s well-rounded and we use him on power plays and penalty-killing.’’
Spillane, whose team ended a 33-year drought last year in winning the states, also views Kilroe as a major plus. “James has great vision on the ice, gets into good position, and he can pass and shoot,’’ said Spillane whose Panthers were 11-5 after 16 contests. “An all-around player, he understands the game.’’
Calling himself “a grinder who does the dirty work in the corners,’’ Kilroe’s best game of his career was last year’s South Sectional final against Marshfield, won by Franklin, 3-1. “We trailed, 1-0, but I made a quick pass to Sean Hedvig whose shot tied the game,’’ Kilroe said. “That gave us some momentum, we won and advanced into the states.’’
Crediting Spillane as a superb motivator and strategist, Kilroe also admires teammates Adam Assad and Luke Downie. “Adam is a senior wing who’s experienced,’’ said Kilroe. “He’s a hard-worker, he’s skilled and is fast. Luke is a junior center who’s got an all-around game. His hands and shot are quick and he’s got a high hockey IQ.’’
Kilroe expects to continue hockey in college, but more than likely, it’ll be at the club level. He’s favoring UMass-Amherst and an eventual career in law.
As for his top thrill in hockey, it obviously is last year’s state title. “It was the best feeling,’’ he said. “What an atmosphere at TD Garden. You look up, and there were so many fans from Franklin. It was really breathtaking.’’
Sicchio’s most memorable moment also was the state title, calling it “awesome.’’
“It was fun to see the entire team enjoy the experience,’’ he said. “Playing on the Garden ice was a great opportunity and we had so many fans at the game.’’
Sicchio, whose style is finesse, rates this season’s contest against LaSalle Academy of Providence as his best game. The result was a 5-2 triumph. “I passed well and created some scoring opportunities,’’ he said. “Getting two assists was encouraging.’’
Sicchio labels Spillane as “a motivator who focuses on little things that are important.’’ He also is a fan of two wingers — junior Brendan O’Reilly and senior Joey Blasie. “Brendan is a big forward who’s one of our top scorers,’’ Sicchio said. “He’s also a solid skater. Joey brings a lot of motivation and he’s able to make big plays.’’
Sicchio plans on attending either Rhode Island College, Westfield State or Florida Gulf Coast University to study criminal justice. He also believes that if the Panthers do what’s needed, justice will prevail, and another state trophy could be a fixture in the school’s trophy case.
“The key to repeating is to continue working hard in practice, do the little things, stay motivated and bond as a team,’’ Sicchio emphasized. Kilroe adds that “we’re an opportunistic and talented team, but we have to believe we can win again, and we’ve got to be playing our best hockey of the season in the playoffs.’’