Methuen Girls Hockey Ryan Driscoll Memorial Hockey Game

Ryan Driscoll was a student athlete at Central Catholic High School who died tragically in a car accident a few years back. Ryan’s sister Jessica plays hockey for our Methuen Tewksbury co-op team and because of the connection to CCHS we play a game in honor of Ryan each year with funds being raised for a scholarship in his name.

both teams raise funds and awareness – we have 18 girls – CCHS has a similar number.

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Methuen/Tewksbury, Central Catholic Girls Play In Ryan Driscoll Memorial Scholarship Fund Game

When the Methuen/Tewksbury and Central Catholic girls hockey teams met this past Saturday, there was much more than the action on the ice on everyone’s mind.

The game marked the second annual contest for the Ryan Driscoll Memorial Scholaship Fund at Central Catholic.

Ryan Driscoll was a hockey player in the Central Catholic boys program when he tragically lost his life in an automobile accident in June of 2019.

The significance of this Saturday’s game is that Ryan’s sister – Jessica – is a forward and top scorer on the Red Rangers hockey team.

“This is a good way to remember Ryan and honor the Driscoll family,” said Methuen/Tewksbury coach Sarah Oteri. “Hockey is such a great part of their lives and it was great we were able to do this and bring the community together.”

While being close siblings, Ryan and Jessica also were very competitive in a typical brother-sister way in an athletic family.

In Saturday’s game, Methuen/Tewksbury defeated Central Catholic, 6-1, led by Jessica, who scored three goals and two assists in the win, earning Player of the Game honors for her team along with Central Catholic goalie Liz Smith, who made several dazzling saves.

“You know if he was here, we would have been competing for goals and I could have rubbed it in his face that I scored three goals,” Jessica said with a laugh. “It felt good that we were able to still do this with Covid going on. It was a nice way to honor Ryan.”

In last year’s first fund raising contest, the two teams played before a packed house. This time, no fans could attend with the current restrictions in place. But there is still a way to contribute to the scholarship fund at Central Catholic.

Those interested in donating can send a check made out to Central Catholic High School to the school with “Ryan Driscoll Memorial Scholarship Fund” in the memo, or venmo a donation to @CCHS_Lawrence and a note that says the donation is for the Ryan Driscoll Scholarship Fund.

“It is such a wonderful way to remember and honor Ryan,” said mom Lisa Driscoll. “Ryan always had a way of bringing people together. This game made me realize that he is still doing that in Heaven. He has touched so many lives and will forever hold a special place in so many people’s hearts.”