Historic Dual State Title Anniversary Celebrated In Enfield

ENFIELD, CT — An unprecedented sporting milestone, which has never since been duplicated, was celebrated Saturday at the Enfield Twin Rinks, prior to a high school ice hockey game between the Newington co-op and Enfield/East Granby.

Nearly 35 years ago, on March 12, 1983 at the now-defunct New Haven Coliseum, a crowd of 4,331 people watched sixth-seeded Fermi High School upset top-ranked rival South Windsor 8-5 to capture the Division II state championship. Not to be outdone, Enfield High School put its 36-game winning streak on the line against defending champion Notre Dame-West Haven, and went into a pair of overtimes before prevailing 5-4 to win the Division I title.

Enfield had won the Division II crown a year earlier, making it the only team in state history to win the two division championships in consecutive years. 1983 also marks the only year both divisions were won by public schools from the same town.

In 1998, the two squads became the first team inductees into the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame.

Five key members of those championship teams were on hand Saturday to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the historic feat. Fermi goaltender Bill Marino, defenseman Rob Harmon and forward Eric Haglund were joined on the ice by Enfield goaltender Dan Burnham and head coach Phil Clarkin, a member of the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame. The latter two were wearing their Raiders' jackets issued following that championoship season.

A moment of silence was observed in memory of six players on those teams who have passed away: Chuck Sutherland and Jeff Perkins of Fermi, and Enfield's Don Leitao, Scott Kokoszka, Kevin Meunier and Rob Hudson.

A ceremonial faceoff involving current captains Kyle Bucher of Newington and Cam Gaylor of Enfield brought the event full circle, as the alumni were joined by Hudson's son, Ryan, a freshman on the Eagles' roster.

Photo credits: Michele Marin