Worcester Railers open season at DCU Center with drive to bring community a winner

WORCESTER — It was fitting the Worcester Railers dropped the puck on the 2022-23 season with a local theme.

Hockey always has been an integral part of the community’s fabric, and it was on display as the Railers hosted the Adirondack Thunder Saturday night at the DCU Center. As the Railers celebrate five years here, it’s also the start of the 25th season of pro hockey in Worcester.

It’s evident this team understands its importance in the city and Central Mass.

“This team is very much part of the community, so we’re always trying to focus on that,” Railers owner Cliff Rucker said. “It’s great to have the fans come back and we’re just excited to win.”

A crowd of 7,116 watched as the team also honored the life and career of Eric Lindquist, who was the face and voice of pro hockey in Worcester. He spent a total of 12 seasons working, promoting and developing first the Sharks and then the Railers. He passed away unexpectedly in May. He was 43.

A few weeks ago, as the ice was being installed at DCU Center, his initials — EL — were painted into the center-ice faceoff circle. The Worcester Railers Booster Club honored Lindquist by placing a T-shirt with his likeness, along with flowers near the home radio booth before Saturday’s game.

Moment of silence

The team also showed a brief video and held a moment of silence to honor Lindquist’s legacy and dedication to hockey in Worcester. A plaque was also placed on the wall in the press room. Players will also wear an "EL" sticker on their helmets this season.

“It’s sad. I loved Eric. I was very close to him and spent a lot of time with him,” Rucker said. “It’s sad. I really don’t know what else to say. In a situation like this, all you can do is keep somebody’s memory alive, and that’s what we’re trying to do. Winning would be nice, and I know he would love it. I’m sorry he didn’t get to see us make a deep run, but he was a great guy.”

Lindquist, who also was a big music guy and unique promoter, would have been thrilled with the first intermission guest.

Worcester native and star of NBC’s “The Voice” Cara Brindisi performed at center ice and then held a postgame show at one of Lindquist’s favorite places, Off the Rails, after the game. The show was free and open to the public.

Brindisi grew up an IceCats fan and said she’s thrilled to perform at home.

“It’s the best feeling,” she said. “I’m a big hockey fan. I grew up in a hockey family, so this is a very full circle experience for me. Worcester’s hopping right now, and to be part of it is an honor.”

Sporting her own Railers sweater, Brindisi made sure to visit with a group of young fans before the game. He also held a meet-and-greet with fans during the second intermission.

She performed the national anthem here in 1998 at age 10, so it was only natural to have her in the mix Saturday night.

There were plenty of local connections with the impressive pregame pomp and circumstance. The Sutton Chorus sang the national anthem, while children from Millbury sang “God Bless America.” Students from St. John's sang “America the Beautiful.”

Students from May Street School, Knox Trail Middle School, Wire Village School and East Brookfield Elementary participated in the fan tunnel during player introductions. The Junior Rail Dawgs 2014 Elite and the Worcester White Hawks served as Blue Line Buddies.

Puck drop

A local Boy Scout troop served as the color guard. John Doucette and Grace Lee dropped the ceremonial puck.

There's a reason the Railers have earned four consecutive ECHL Community Service Team of the Year Award.

In fact, new coach, and former fan favorite, Jordan Lavallee-Smotherman made sure the community aspect was a major part of his preseason speech to the players.

“The impact this organization, especially Cliff has had on this community, and winning the Community Service Award in the league four years in a row, including the year we didn’t have a team speaks volumes,” Lavallee-Smotherman said. “Part of that is these players will be part of that, and this community really relies on this, and it’s about time we gave them a winning organization and a winning team.”

As the Railers finished with a 5-4 victory, Rucker looked over the ice and smiled. He was thrilled with the win and the turnout on Opening Night. He walked into the coach's office after the game and congratulated Lavellee-Smotherman on the victory.

“Jordan is a wonderful guy, and he was a great player,” Rucker said. “He has high integrity. He’s a winner. It’s an interesting dynamic because he played last year, but he’s very mature and very bright. He’s going to do great.”

—Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Railers open season at DCU Center with drive to bring community a winner