One of the best players in the 50-year history of the proud Billerica High boys lacrosse program is still playing.
And, not surprisingly, Jeff Trainor remains at an elite level.
The 26-year-old recently resigned with the Boston Cannons of the Premier Lacrosse League for two seasons, extending his deal through the 2026 campaign.
The 6-foot, 190-pound defensive midfielder, a 2021 UMass graduate, is coming off a 10-game 2023 regular season which saw him tally two goals and two assists, while causing five turnovers and collecting nine groundballs.
Billerica High is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season and the program is rightfully proud of its storied history. When the top players in program history are mentioned, it’s not long before Trainor’s name is invoked.
Vezina talk
Former UMass Lowell goaltender Connor Hellebuyck may need to make room in his ever-expanding trophy case.
Though he and his Winnipeg Jets teammates were bounced in the first round of the NHL playoffs, Hellebuyck has been named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top goaltender. It was the fourth time Hellebuyck has been a finalist.
He won the award after the 2019-20 season, was the runner-up in 2017-18 and finished third last season.
Hellebuyck guided the Jets to a terrific regular season. In 60 games, he compiled a 37-19-4 record, a 2.39 goals against average and .921 save percentage. He finished second in wins and save percentage, and fourth in goals against average. He made 1,656 saves, second most in the NHL.
Many NHL experts are predicting Hellebuyck will win his second Vezina. The other finalists are Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky and Vancouver’s Thatcher Demko.
Hellebuyck played two seasons at UMass Lowell. In 54 games, he compiled an eye-popping .946 save percentage and won the Mike Richter Award as the nation’s top goalie. He also led the River Hawks to their lone Frozen Four appearance.
Filling the nets
While Hellebuyck is keeping pucks out of the net, Shirley’s Arthur Bernardino continues to fill soccer nets with goals.
Bernardino stars for the Revolution Academy’s U-13 team. Recently, the team recently posted back-to-back shutout victories.
In a 2-0 win over Beachside SC, Bernardino netted his 25th goal of the season. The next day, in a 7-0 rout of the Bolton Bolts, Bernardino recorded a hat trick and found time to dish out an assist.
Last week, Bernardino stayed red hot. In a 6-0 win over New England FC, the young ace tallied a goal and assist. He then scored his team-leading 30th goal in a 2-1 win over BW Gottschee to extend his team’s unbeaten streak to 28 games.
Here and there
Scott Boyle, in his second stint as Lowell High’s football coach, continues to fill out his staff. … The closure of Green Meadow Golf Club in Hudson, N.H., continues to be felt deeply by area golfers this spring. That, coupled with the previous closure of Tyngsboro Country Club, means there are 27 fewer holes for public duffers to play. … UMass Lowell posted its director of athletics position Wednesday and the school hopes to announce a hiring by the second week of June.
An 18-person search committee has been formed to replace Peter Casey, whose contract expires soon. Casey was named director of athletics by former Chancellor Jacquie Moloney on July 16, 2018 and Casey officially began running the department following the retirement of Dana Skinner two months later. … Speaking of UML, no Division 1 baseball player has more doubles than sophomore Carlos Martinez.
Martinez went into Friday with 24 doubles in 42 games to lead the nation. A transfer from the University of Pittsburgh, Martinez has been a huge addition for the River Hawks. The outfielder leads the team with a .331 average and 35 RBI.
Barry Scanlon
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