By Edie Menard ’26
Future changes are coming to Concord Academy’s athletic department with a rising number of students participating in sports teams. Athletic director Sue Johnson and former assistant athletic director and Olympic Hockey gold-medalist Laurie Baker are dead set on creating boys and girls hockey teams.
Five current sophomores ready to transform CA sports programming have been recruited and will join the school’s community next year. All of the students are from Canada and have been nationally ranked for their hockey expertise, refined shooting skills, and figure skating abilities. Like Baker, many of the young athletes have even participated in the Olympics. Although further information has not yet been disclosed, look out for the future CA students in the halls next fall.
Additionally, many have expressed concern regarding where the team will practice and what facilities they will use. Luckily, math teacher Cory Chapman, a lifelong hockey fan and math teacher here at CA, has promised to bring back the ice rink that he had routinely built during the winter season in previous years. As the weather got colder, Chapman would transform one of the old tennis courts where the Centennial Arts Center and its corresponding parking lot now stand. The new projected solution for the rink location was expressed by Chapman just recently, where he stated, “I am excited as the roof of the CAC will be converted every winter into a state of the art rink…it’s going to turn out great!”
This new sports addition will also provide ample opportunities for students even if they are not trying out for the team. Speculation was confirmed that Mia Rajagopal ’26 hopes to be the zamboni driver for each game, and CA’s talented Rey Kassam ’25 has agreed to be the team’s national anthem singer. Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding, there will not be a jumbotron, but if any student is interested in being a team manager, please reach out to Michael Bouzan.
With these exciting developments coming to campus, complemented by new stellar student-athletes, it is projected to be a great winter season for CA next year, with the hockey teams expected to bring home some championships.
CA Welcomes Two Hockey Legends
By Mia Rajagopal ’26
Behind every great team is a great coach. Coaches can make or break teams, guiding athletes toward greatness or leaving them without direction. Along with new facilities and recruits, the CA athletics department has worked tirelessly to find the best possible coaches for the new teams.
Ex-captain of the Bruins Patrice Bergeron has been chosen as head coach for the boys' hockey team. Bergeron was known for his amazing leadership qualities and two-way abilities, which are key qualities that will ensure a great start to the program. Having gone through 19 seasons with the Bruins, Bergeron knows what it takes to bring home championships and will instill a winning mentality within the players. Bergeron was also known for his grit and determination, and insider sources say tryouts will include getting checked by Bergeron himself–the last ones standing will make the team. All Bruins fans should flock to CA to see Bergeron back in the game: it will be a season for the books. The EILs will not know what hit them.
Similarly, the girls’ team has appointed legend and world champion Cammi Granato as head coach. Athletic Director Sue Johnson really pulled through, successfully convincing Granato to step down as assistant general manager of the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks are dropping in the standings anyways, and CA is just better. In an exclusive interview, Granato expressed, “I can’t wait to coach Concord Academy. My lifelong goal has been to grow the game, and I’m so excited to get started working with the girls. Plus, the Canucks aren’t winning anything this season, so hopefully I can go for gold with CA.” With Granato at the helm, the girls’ team is sure to have a target on their backs.
CA cannot wait to welcome two legends of the game, who are ready to make champions out of present and future CA athletes.