Woburn Tandem Competed at Hockey Night in Boston

The city of Woburn has had its share of top hockey talent go on to big things. Courtney Kennedy won two Olympic medals, silver and bronze, with the 2002 and 2006 U.S. women’s hockey team, and John Carter played 244 games in the National Hockey League, including 185 with the Boston Bruins, and racked up 47 goals over an eight-year career.

Today, Woburn is still producing top hockey talent, and two of the best skated at the Hockey Night in Boston Major Showcase in Haverhill.

Woburn High star Casey Shea and Lawrence Academy standout Matt Baldino played for the Middlesex/Merrimack squad at the tournament.

Baldino, who scored a dozen goals this past season for the Spartans, played with the Middlesex team last summer and knows what it means to represent Woburn.

“Definitely want to show Hockey Night in Boston what Woburn hockey players are all about,” Baldino said. “It’s pretty important.”

The tournament has produced hundreds of collegiate hockey players as well as several NHL stars including Tom Barasso, Jon Quick, Jeremy Roenick, and hall of famer Brian Leetch.

With the always present prep school, college, and juniors scouts watching, Baldino knows that he has to step up his game.

“Every time you step on the ice you’re trying to impress,” Baldino said. “People are watching all the time. Definitely trying to impress the juniors teams, the colleges, the whole nine yards.”

Shea, who scored 23 goals and led the Tanners to the Super 8 tournament last winter, will be playing against some of the stiffest competition of his career.

“It’s a little tougher than what we’re usually used to,” Shea said. “It’s a little tougher, and you’ve got to work a little harder to get at it.”

Baldino will also compete in the Elite Showcase, also to be played in Haverhill, alongside college players as well as a Russian junior team.