Memorial hockey game celebrating 15 years

JP Medeiros Memorial Cup games set for Jan. 4

BY MANUEL C. “MANNY” CORREIRA
Posted 12/29/16

The flame still burns brightly.

More than a dozen years have passed since the tragic automobile accident that took the life of 20-year old John Paul “JP” Medeiros, Jr. But, thanks to …

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Memorial hockey game celebrating 15 years

JP Medeiros Memorial Cup games set for Jan. 4

Posted

The flame still burns brightly.

More than a dozen years have passed since the tragic automobile accident that took the life of 20-year old John Paul “JP” Medeiros, Jr. But, thanks to the competitive nature of the annual JP Medeiros Memorial Cup hockey game, and all those who are connected with this event, his legacy continues to live on.

The East Bay's annual “Thanksgiving On Ice” takes place Wednesday evening, Jan. 4, at the Portsmouth Abbey Ice Rink. This year marks the 15th annual J. P. Medeiros Jr. Memorial Hockey Cup game between the boys' teams from Barrington and Mt. Hope High School. It starts at 6 p.m. and will feature the East Bay Co-op Lady Eagles (the opponent has not yet been determined). The boys' game starts at 7:30 p.m., and will spotlight Barrington against Mt. Hope. Admission is a donation at the door — all proceeds will benefit the JP Medeiros, Jr. Scholarship Fund.

According to J.P.’s mom and dad, Maryem and John Paul Medeiros, Sr., this is the only fund-raiser for the J.P. Medeiros Jr. Memorial Scholarship for Eagle and Huskies' hockey players…both boys and girls. 

“To date, nearly 60 students have received these awards,” said Ms. Medeiros. Donations will be accepted until May 1, 2017.” For more information, email: coachjp@cox.net.

The game is an on-going tribute to the late J. P. Medeiros Jr. through the scholarship fund set up for local student-athletes by his father, a retired coach and teacher at Barrington High School, and his mother, a retired nurse. They have been assisted by a number of family members, friends, and school officials throughout the years.

“The response this year has been wonderful,” said Ms. Medeiros, during an interview this week in the Medeiros’ Canario Drive home in Warren. “We usually give out four to five $1,000 scholarships each year. One hundred percent of the gate and donations are turned into scholarships.”

J.P. Medeiros was a two-sport star (hockey and golf) at Mt. Hope High School, where he graduated in 1999. He was a lifelong resident of Warren, who was killed in a car crash in April, 2002, while he was a junior at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.

From 1995 to 1999, JP was a member of the Mt. Hope Huskies hockey team. He was captain in his senior year and the MVP and Sportsmanship Award recipient. He was also a Rhode Island Scholar Athlete in 1995 and a World Scholar Athlete in 1997. He was both a RI Honor Society and National Honor Society member.

JP continued his education at Quinnipiac University, where he majored in health science and was actively working as an orientation leader and in the intramural sports program. He was an active member of the Bristol/Mt. Hope Alumni Hockey Association and the Quinnipiac/Hamden Men’s Hockey League in Connecticut.

Together with her husband, Ms. Medeiros spelled out the qualities which made her son a very special young man.

“JP had so many great qualities as a person,” she said. “Above all, he was such a kind soul. Everybody loved him.”

John Paul Medeiros Sr. said his son always had a dream.

“He always wanted to play Barrington in hockey,” he said. “JP always got excited when Mt. Hope and Barrington played football on Thanksgiving, and hoped that one day the two teams could play each other in hockey.”

Fifteen years ago, it all became a reality thanks to a lot of people who wanted to remember young JP in a very special way.

People like hockey coaches like Jeff Day and Chucky Cruz helped set the wheels in motion for the first annual J.P. Medeiros Jr. Memorial Cup in 2003. Since then, the event has become an early winter sports staple in the East Bay.

For the record, Barrington High has won nine of the 14 Cup games played so far, including the last four in a row. But, win, lose or draw, keeping JP Medeiros’ lifelong dream alive has been the most important factor.

Maryem Medeiros noted that this year, special memorial long-sleeve T-shirts, designed by Colleen Kilselka, will be presented to Mt. Hope High School and Barrington High School boys and girls team players. A limited number will also be sold at the door.

This year’s Memorial Cup hopefully will draw the largest crowd ever.  All proceeds go to the JP Medeiros Jr. Memorial Scholarship Foundation supporting graduating hockey players in both Barrington High School and Mt Hope High School.  

“We’re hoping for another great turnout,” said Ms. Medeiros. “Since the very first Cup game 15 years ago, everyone has been so supportive. I know our son would be so proud to know that he’s being remembered in this very special way.”

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