News Articles
Justin Bailey Fundraiser - A Great Success!!!
by Matt Lodi
It is truly amazing how in just a short period of time, one single event can be turned into something spectacular.
Behind the lead of the Natick Hockey Alliance and many other volunteers, the Justin Bailey Benefit for the Bailey Family was a smashing success Friday night at the VFW in Natick.
Upwards of two-hundred people throughout the evening showed up, most from Natick, whether they were involved with the Natick High School program or Comets program, or just wanted to lend their support. Others from surrounding communities were in attendance as well, just showing the impact this has had on everyone.
In a matter of a few days there were many great silent auction items to bid on, in addition to raffle prizes for those in attendance. All proceeds, including any donations from those walking through the door, went directly to the Justin Bailey Memorial Fund.
Some of the auction items that were included were Boston Bruins tickets, Patriots/Broncos tickets, signed memorabilia, hockey sticks, hockey equipment, paintings and many other great items, all of which were donated.
It was truly an evening that proved that a community can come together, no matter who they are to help for one common cause.
There will also be a few more items to bid on through a Silent Auction that will be available on the Natick High Hockey website this week. The featured items include a 16x20 picture (double matted and framed) of the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins, in which all the players have signed. In addition there will be a signed hockey stick by the current 2012 Boston Bruins team.
At the end of the day, a community came together and raised money from one common purpose, and it is truly amazing the support one can get in such short time.
Flyers pay respects to a rival Before Monday night’s trip down to Pilgrim Arena to take on Hingham, the Framingham boys hockey team stopped in to pay its respects to the friends and family of Natick’s Justin Bailey, who tragically and unexpectedly died from natural causes at his home last Wednesday.
Bailey, a 17-year-old senior, got to play only one shift as a member of the Red & Blue varsity, a 36-second appearance during a 4-1 loss to Franklin on Dec. 30.
Ask people from the communities of Framingham and Natick and they will tell you that the rivalry between the schools trumps even that of the Red Sox and Yankees. It doesn’t matter what the sport or what part of the season it may be — when the Red & Blue play the Flyers, it’s a must-attend for everyone in both towns.
Framingham coach Paul Spear, joined by Principal Michael Welch and Flyers athletic director Gary Doherty, visited with both the boys and girls hockey teams at Natick the day after Bailey’s passing. In his talk with the teams, Spear mentioned the connection that rivalry between the two towns brings about and the bond that they share because of it.
“It really meant a lot to me to be able to speak to our archrivals and tell them that we share a very special bond in the fact that we are archrivals,” he said. “We share that bond and when you take the buckets off, we’re all hockey players. We’re all brothers in hockey. It means a lot that we have that bond to share as well.”
Despite a 6 p.m. faceoff with Hingham, there was no question the Flyers would appear at Bailey’s wake Monday afternoon. One by one, the entire team walked through the line and received an embrace from Bailey’s mother, Nicole, and paid their respects.
“The players from our team had the opportunity to give his mom a hug and walk through the line and let her know that she wasn’t alone in her grief,” Spear said. “We can only imagine how that would feel but we tried to give the players a sense for … just imagine if there was one empty jersey in the locker room tonight. We send along our condolences to the hockey family in Natick.”
On the ice, No. 5 Hingham scored two shorthanded goals and a power play goal while surviving a stellar, 35-save performance by Framingham’s sophomore goalie Al Lynch to take a 4-0 victory.
The win was the sixth straight for Hingham (7-2-0) since a 5-1 loss at the hands of St. Mary’s, all coming at home on the cozy confines of the Pilgrim Arena ice surface against power programs such as Marshfield, Weymouth, Needham, Acton-Boxboro and Catholic Memorial.
“Honestly the atmosphere here at Pilgrim, we love it,” Hingham tri-captain Matt Hughes said when asked to explain the team’s turnaround. “Our fans and everything, it’s the best. Coming out in our hometown and in our barn. The locker room is getting a lot better, we’re all starting to get along with each other a lot better. Everything’s just clicking.”
Sam D’Antuono notched the game’s lone even-strength goal with 1:14 left in the first period, Hughes added a power play goal midway through the second, and John Carlson and Ryan Linehan each added shorthanded tallies to close out the scoring.
Natick High hockey players pay tribute to teammate
January 12, 2012 By Damien Vega/Daily News correspondent MetroWest Daily News
NATICK — It started like every other hockey game at Chase Arena. Starting lineups were announced and players skated to the blue line.
Then, it got emotional.
It was the first game since senior Justin Bailey, 17, died unexpectedly last Wednesday. The Natick High boys hockey team observed a moment of silence in tribute to Bailey before last night’s game against Dedham.
“The whole community has rallied around this loss,” Natick Athletic Director Tim Collins said. “It’s really come from everywhere; the school, the community and even the (Bay State) Conference.”
The moment of silence was the final tribute on a day dedicated to Bailey.
Natick won last night’s game, defeating Dedham by a score of 8-0.
In the lobby prior to the game, volunteers collected donations in lieu of admission in order to help support the family. Earlier in the evening, the Natick Police Department donated a banner with Bailey’s name and number 17 emblazoned on it.
That banner now hangs next to the scoreboard at Chase Arena. A NHS student made a banner the Red and Blue hung on their bench that read “Justin Bailey Family.” The game program had three pages dedicated to Bailey and both the boys and girls hockey teams have dedicated their seasons to him.
On the ice, Bailey’s brother, Griffin, a sophomore goalie, dressed for his first varsity game to honor his brother.
The Natick High boys and girls hockey teams are now wearing a sticker on their helmet designed by a Natick High student.
The sticker depicts a hockey puck with the number 17 on it and Bailey’s name. Also, Dedham and every other BSC team will wear a white sticker on their helmets with Bailey’s number on it.
“The outpouring of support has been amazing,” Collins said. “Everyone has really pulled together to support the family.
Death of hockey player turns team into family
January 19, 2012 By Jason Mastrodonato
It is hard for Matt Kustra, or any of his teammates on the Natick High boys’ hockey team, to remember what life was like three weeks ago, how normal everything felt.
That all changed on Jan. 4, at the stop of a heartbeat, with the sudden death of senior teammate Justin Bailey.
The Red & Blue had just finished warming up for their Bay State Conference matchup that evening against Needham. As the players returned to the locker room, a few began to wonder why Bailey, a fourth-line center, had not arrived at West Suburban Rink.
Alex Marcinkiewicz tried texting Bailey four times. There was no response.
He made a failed phone call attempt before focusing on Bailey’s younger brother, Griffin, one of his best friends. He sent a few texts.
“Oh, we knew something was wrong,’’ Marcinkiewicz said. “You could just feel it.’’
Bailey’s father, Ben, had walked into the house around 5. His wife, Nicole, was on her computer, sending e-mails. Their two youngest sons, Mason, 11, and Griffin, 15, were doing homework. Then he noticed Justin’s hockey stick. It was not taped.
“I said, ‘What the hell is wrong with him? He’s going to be late for his game,’ ’’ recalled Bailey.
“So I went down to yell at him and I opened the door. The video game was playing - it was one of those race car games - and he was laying there.
“Now sometimes, he’d tease me when I’d yell at him. He’d turn slowly and go, ‘Is someone talking?’ So I started to yell at him, about being late. And he had his head back laying on the couch with the controller in his hand, so I thought he was giving me a hard time. Then I thought he was sleeping.
“So I went over to shake him and I knew: He was gone.’’ The cause of death was still unknown this week; according to Bailey, it probably will be some time before the family has a definitive answer.
Natick coach Karl Infanger received a call from Bailey a short time later. The game was canceled, along with the team’s match three nights later against Milton.
“It’s just a strange feeling,’’ Marcinkiewicz said. “And you don’t believe it at first because it doesn’t hit you: that he’s gone and will never come back.’’
But Ben Bailey suddenly realized something that would change the entire grieving process for his family.
“You only see the part of your kids that they let you see,’’ he said while watching the Red & Blue skate against Acton-Boxborough Regional at the Nashoba Valley Olympia on Monday night. “And then something like this happens, and you realize it affects a whole community.’’
The Baileys invited the entire team over to their house the day after Justin’s death, and the girls’ team the day after, followed by the boys’ team again that Saturday.
According to Ben Bailey, more than 3,000 paid their respects at his son’s wake on Jan. 9, including players representing eight high school programs from the area.
In a quick turnaround, Jumble Designs in Natick produced enough commemorative patches for the Natick High boys’ and girls’ hockey teams to wear on their jerseys. The patch is white, with Justin’s uniform number, ‘’17,’’ in red stitching and “JB’’ in bright blue.
His initials and number are splashed everywhere in the hallways in the school, and around town.
“I’ll see a 17 on a license plate and boom, reminds me of Justin right away,’’ said Kustra, a junior captain. “I’ll even see a letter J on a sign or something and it reminds me of him. I try not to think about it as much as I can, but it still does come back to me and it’s so hard not to keep it in your mind.’’
The Natick hockey players even changed their team’s motto.
“We always preach team-first,’’ said Infanger. “We bring it in after every practice and say, ‘One-two-three - team.’ But the kids have changed it to ‘family.’ The kids bring it in every game and now it’s ‘One-two-three - family.’
“Because that’s what we are. We’re a family who sticks together, cares for each other, and we’re always there for each other.’’
The grieving has not been easy, but it has been necessary.
Roughly 1,000 folks changed their Facebook profile pictures to the red-lettered No. 17. And someone started a page promoting the boys’ hockey team’s first game back, at home last Wednesday against Dedham.
Infanger had a surprise. He called Griffin Bailey, a goalie on the junior varsity, and asked him to dress for the game. If the Red & Blue seized a commanding lead, he would replace starter Derek Kwok. Natick, however, entered the game with just one win.
It was no ordinary game.
“I got halfway dressed and peeked my head out of the locker room and saw kids just surrounding the rink,’’ Kustra said. “There were just so many people there. I’ll never forget that game.’’
Natick (2-3-3 overall) led, 1-0, after one period before opening up a 4-0 cushion in the second.
Infanger said, “There was still plenty of time in the second period and they’re all looking at me - ‘Is he going in? Can we put him in?’ ’’
“That was our goal: Get Griffin in the game, no matter what,’’ Kustra said. “We were going to do our best to make that happen.’’
Finally, with an 8-0 lead and seven minutes left in the third period, Infanger gave Griffin Bailey the green light, and West Suburban Rink erupted with noise.
Dedham, limited to eight shots to that point, turned it on. Bailey made eight saves, each one prompting loud cheers from the crowd.
It did not, by any means, signal the end of the grieving process. But it reminded the Baileys how much support they have, and that they will never be alone.
“I don’t think it’ll ever be back to normal,’’ Infanger said. “There’s still a hole in everyone’s heart. There are still times when kids have to take a minute out of practice and just compose themselves. That loss is always around us. Justin’s spirit is around us.
“I don’t think it’ll ever be the same or back to normal. But we’ll do the best we can to play hard and maybe get something done this season.’’
Donations can be made to the Justin Bailey Memorial Fund, c/o Middlesex Savings Bank, 150 Commonwealth Ave., Wayland, MA 01778-4831.
Jason Mastrodonato can be reached at jasonmastrodonato@yahoo.com.
Natick hockey player Bailey, 17, dies
by Scott Barboza January, 5, 2012
Thirty-six seconds. An insubstantial morsel in the great ocean of time that constitutes our lives.
That’s all the time Justin Bailey had in his varsity hockey career at Natick High. One shift on the Red & Blue’s fourth line during garbage time of a 4-1 non-league loss against undefeated Franklin last Friday.
To anyone in attendance, they might not have noticed it. They might have been headed toward the exits.
But that time, spent wearing his home town’s sweater, meant the world to Justin.
"His father talked to me afterward and told me how much it meant to him,” Natick head coach Karl Infanger said Thursday afternoon. “It was like he’d just won the Stanley Cup.”
Bailey died suddenly on Wednesday at his home, reportedly of natural causes. He was 17 years old.
A senior at Natick, this was Bailey’s first varsity season with the hockey team. He was cut as a freshman, worked hard and spent his sophomore and junior years with the junior varsity. There was no question in Infanger’s mind where Bailey belonged leading into this season, even if he might not see the ice often.
“He was the epitome of a team player,” Infanger said. “He’s the type of kid that isn’t the most gifted athlete in the world, but he had a passion for hockey. He loved the game.
“His teammates loved having him around.”
Infanger makes it a point to have one-on-one meetings with his players every five games throughout the season. He sat down with Bailey a few days ago. Recently, Bailey had been battling an ankle injury, not the kind that would keep him out of practice though. Infanger talked to him about ice time and his role on the team.
“He told me,” Infanger said, “'None of that matters, I just want to see the team win.”
Bailey’s mother works in the Natick school system and his younger brothers play hockey as well, one of them with the Red & Blue’s J.V. team.
Infanger broke the news of Bailey’s passing to his teammates minutes before they were scheduled to take the ice in a league game against Needham, Wednesday night.
That game and the boys’ and girls’ hockey games scheduled for Saturday have been postponed out of respect for the family, though both teams mingled on the ice at the Suburban Arena on Thursday for a pick-up game of shinny. The ice time had already been reserved for practice.
"We have to take care of life first,” Infanger said, “but it was nice for the kids to come together, and share the game, and have that time to sort through this together.”
On Thursday, word flickered across the Internet that Minnesota high school hockey player Jack Jablonski is not expected to walk again, following an extensive surgery after severing his spinal cord during a game last Friday.
The Worcester Telegram & Gazette also reported that 18-year-old Nipmuc Regional student Jack Street was killed on Wednesday after he fell from a ski lift at the Ski Ward in Shrewsbury. A skier from the age of 5, Street was practicing with the school’s ski team for the first time.
When Infanger talked about the shock of learning Bailey’s death, he spoke of how such events can tear down the belief that we’re somehow immune from tragedy as we go about everyday life.
At a time when so much attention is paid to resolutions and hope of things to come, let’s take one lesson throughout this new year:
Thirty-six seconds can mean everything.
Fans Fill Hockey Arena for Team Support
William Chase Arena was packed Wednesday night for the Natick High School varsity hockey team's first game since the death of teammate Justin Bailey. Across town, residents are working to raise money for the Justin Bailey Memorial Fund, which will help the family of a Natick High School senior who died last week.
By Matt Lodi
It was a tribute...a sea of red...an emotional outpouring.
The Natick and Red Blue varsity hockey team took the ice in front of a packed house at William Chase Arena Wednesday night, the fan base decked out in red in support of the hockey program playing their first game in more than a week after the death of senior forward Justin Bailey.
The support was deafening, the atmosphere was electric, and the action on the ice couldn’t have been better.
After a moment of silence in honor of Justin, the Red and Blue buckled up their helmets and went full throttle, thrashing their opponents, the Dedham Marauders, 8-0 to improve to 2-2-2 on their season, which has been dedicated to Justin.
Junior captain Matt Kustra scored a hat trick while sophomore Jack Murphy netted his first career varsity goal in the victory. Also adding goals were Mike Perry, Tim Dunn, Mike Pennett and Derek Butler.
However, it wasn’t the goals that brought the most noise from the Natick faithful; it was the moment that took place with about seven minutes to play in the third period—a moment that made the rink sound like the Boston Garden.
Justin’s brother, sophomore goaltender Griffin Bailey entered the game playing in a varsity game for the first time. Griffin stopped all seven shots he faced in the seven-minute time frame, more shots than Natick captain and starting goaltender Derek Kwok saw in the first two and a half periods of play.
Griffin entered to a standing ovation.
The fan base had been chanting, “We want Griffin,” prior to the goaltender entering the game, and once he did there wasn’t a single person sitting down.
Once the game was over, the Red and Blue players rushed from the bench and jumped onto Griffin in the corner of the ice. They followed that with a thank you to the hundreds of student fans, and then saluted the banner that now hangs at William Chase Arena in honor of Justin Bailey.
In the end, it wasn’t the final score that mattered at William Chase Arena because this wasn’t an ordinary night, and it wasn’t just another win.
Natick Unites to Raise Money for Bailey Fund
Across town, residents are working to raise money for the Justin Bailey Memorial Fund, which will help the family of a Natick High School senior who died last week.
By Alissa Letkowski
In the wake of Natick High School senior Justin Bailey's death last week, Natick residents and the Massachusetts hockey community have united to remember the hockey player and raise money for a fund set up in his name.
The town will come together tonight under one roof at the Natick VFW post to collect donations for the Justin Bailey Memorial Fund at Middlesex Savings Bank. The fund will help the Baileys cover the unexpected costs of burying their son.
"The Baileys never asked for anyone to do this; we just wanted to help out wherever we could," said Doug Rausch, whose son Jeffrey is also a senior hockey player and played with Bailey since age 5. Rausch, who is also good friends with Bailey's uncle, Bruce, helped establish the account, along with other hockey parents.
"I think everyone felt you should never have to pay money to bury your kid and we wanted to see if we could help with the immediate expenses of that," he said. "Everyone wants to help. No one really knew what to do and a very easy thing to do is to try to raise money. So, we thought we could try to help them with any needs they have going forward."
Natick High School junior Laila Fatimi didn't know Bailey, but like many other students, she was impacted by his death and inspired to give back. Since Bailey's death, the 16-year-old junior has been putting her artistic skills to use and offering temporary henna tattoos to her peers in exchange for donations to the Justin Bailey Memorial Fund. Fatimi paints Bailey's number "17," adorned with an angel wing, on her friends' skin to honor him. So far, the teen has raised about $50, but has ordered more henna and plans to offer more tattoos during lunch today and beyond.
"I have some friends on the hockey team and I asked them and they all loved [the idea]," said Fatimi. "I think it's just another way of showing how close the community is and just how amazing everyone has been.”
William Chase Arena was packed with fans Wednesday for the team's first game since Bailey's death. At the door, attendees offered up money from their pockets and the referees donated their pay for the game in Bailey's memory. All other hockey teams in the conference have been sporting the number 17 on their helmets and some even placed Justin's name on the game puck.
Natick's varsity hockey coach, Karl Infanger, said the community has offered strong support to the team since last Wednesday night. As the news of Bailey's death spread, he has received email condolences from his own college hockey teammates from as far as Canada as well as from other high school coaches.
"More than any other sport, hockey is a fraternity...it's a tight-knit community even though it's spread all around the globe," said Infanger. "The community itself in Natick— it has been outstanding."
The fundraiser tonight, organized by the Natick Hockey Alliance, will go from 7 p.m. to midnight at theNatick VFW, 113 West Central St. Donations will be collected at the door and there will be a silent auction and raffle. Pizza and snacks will be provided.
Donations to the Justin Bailey Memorial Fund can be made by mail to:
Justin Bailey Memorial Fund c/o Middlesex Savings Bank 150 Commonwealth Road, Wayland, MA 01778-4831
Time on ice was special for Natick's Bailey
Ian B. Murphy/Daily News staff January 06, 2012
NATICK — For 36 seconds last Friday Justin Bailey lived a lifelong dream, taking the ice for Natick High during a varsity hockey game.
But his first shift turned out to be his last. Bailey died unexpectedly of natural causes in his home on Wednesday, an hour before his team was set to take the ice again.
Bailey, a 17-year-old senior, was prepping for the team’s game against Needham. He had checked his equipment and taped his sticks, his father said, and went into the TV room to play video games for a bit.
“I went to get him when it was time to go, and I thought he was sleeping, and he wasn’t,” Ben Bailey said. “He was gone.”
Bailey had no known medical condition, his father said, and the cause of death has not been determined.
Justin Bailey had three passions: fishing, hockey and family.
“He pretty much played hockey year round,” his father said. “He grew up playing with his uncles, and his father and grandfather. He’d play anytime you let him.”
Bailey spent the last three years on junior varsity, and was rehabbing an ankle injury at the start of this season, his father said. His first shift came in the third period of a 4-1 loss to Franklin, but for Bailey it was special.
“It wasn’t much, but it meant the world to him,” said Bailey.
The team’s photographer captured Bailey on the ice, and he was so thrilled with the pictures he put them on his Facebook page and sent them to his mother while she was at work.
“We got a couple pictures of him, and he thought it was the greatest thing in a world,” said Natick High varsity hockey coach Karl Infanger. “Justin was just so proud of it. I think, as a coach, you kind of lose sight of the little things, and you don’t realize with some of these kids how much that really meant to them. For him, in his eyes, I think he felt like he made it, even if it was just for 36 seconds.”
His parents informed Infanger, and the game against Needham was called off on Wednesday. Natick High canceled all sports events yesterday out of respect for the Baileys; the boys and girls hockey teams canceled their weekend games as well.
Infanger said Bailey was a true team player who knew his role. Infanger said his lasting memory of Bailey will be a coaching meeting the two had on Tuesday.
“He looks at me, and said, ‘I know I shouldn’t be getting that much playing time. There are other players that are better than me. I just want to win, and I want to be a part of this team,’” Infanger said. “You hear it then, and you say, ‘He’s just a good kid. He’s a real team player.’ But then when you look at it in retrospect, you look at how special of an attitude that really is.
“Take every second you live, and every second you’re on the ice, and play it like it’s your last because you just never know.”
Bailey was just as unselfish away from the game of hockey. He loved his mother, Nicole, and his brothers Mason and Griffin, and spent most of his time with family.
“He babysat his cousins so his uncle and his aunt could go play hockey at least two or three times a week,” his father said. “He helped build a hockey rink in their front yard. He did whatever he could to help. He just wanted us to be happy.”
He worked during the summer and part time during the week for his uncle at JMH Automotive in Waltham. He talked about crewing a fishing boat after he graduated high school. While visiting family in Florida, he fished whenever he could.
The family donated Bailey’s organs at MetroWest Medical Center’s Leonard Morse Hospital, something his father said he would want to do.
The family doesn’t have details on a memorial service yet, but it will be at John Everett Funeral Home in Natick Center.
The boys and girls hockey teams have created a patch to wear on their uniforms in memory of Bailey. With their practices and games canceled yesterday, both teams met at Chase Ice Arena in Natick.
His teammates and friends declined to speak with a reporter, instead lacing up their skates to honor his memory by playing hockey.
Player’s spirit watches over Natick hockey squad Team draws strength from family, town
By Mike Scandura Globe Correspondent / March 15, 2012
BOURNE - For every high school team, regardless of sport, the pregame routine is usually consistent: Step on the bus, ride to the game, then ride home.
That routine changed dramatically for the boys’ hockey team at Natick High after senior Justin Bailey died unexpectedly from natural causes on Jan. 4.
“We have a great bus driver in town, Bill Dempsey, who’s coached a bunch of sports for us,’’ and has sons who played hockey for Natick, said Tim Collins, the school’s athletic director. “He always would swing by the gravesite on the way to a game and on the way home from a game,’’ including the playoffs, Collins said. “And that helped get the guys together and get them to think about it.’’
Before games, the Red and Blue players stood at Bailey’s grave in Dell Park Cemetery and held hands. “We’d say his name and say, ‘We’re going to do this for you, buddy,’ coach Karl Infanger said.
The Red and Blue advanced to the Division 1 South final - the team’s deepest postseason run in years - before losing, 3-1, to top-seeded Milton on Sunday.
At 8-8-4, Natick entered the tournament as the ninth seed in the South sectional, but bounced Brockton by a 5-3 score, edged Super 8 invitee Needham, 3-2, and defeated Norwood, 1-0, to earn its shot against Milton.
Senior goalie Derek Kwok said Bailey’s passing, and the togetherness that the loss fostered within the program and in the community, was a factor as the Red and Blue ventured into the tournament.
“I think we got as far as we did because Justin was looking down on us,’’ said Kwok, a captain who was stellar in net all season. “I think he gave us a couple of good bounces that went our way.
“Speaking for myself, I felt his presence. I got the feeling he still was with us and was looking down on us.’’
Kwok was especially appreciative of the support the Red and Blue received from the Bailey family - parents Ben and Nicole, along with younger brothers Mason and Griffin.
“His family came to all the games,’’ Kwok said. “Their coming showed how much Justin loved playing hockey. They knew he loved being on the team, and it gave us some extra motivation.’’
Griffin Bailey, a sophomore, was a goalie on the junior varsity team; Mason Bailey played for the Natick Comets II team that recently won the state PeeWee Tier III title.
“Justin’s family has been truly amazing,’’ Collins said. “They’ve been around a lot. They brought cookies for the team after every game. They’ve really been a strong family through all of this.
“They’ve been a great model for our kids to see how you truly deal with tragedy. They’re the ones that have dealt with great adversity this year, and with such class and real dignity. His family’s been great for us as well.’’
“I really believe we mourn for the living,’’ said Ben Bailey. “Being there for each other is important. I told [the team] that our family would do whatever we could to help the team heal.
“We were completely blown away by the town’s response’’ to Justin’s death, he said. “We couldn’t have gotten through this without the people from the school.’’
How the Red and Blue advanced to the South final, let alone complete the regular season, was a testament not only to Bailey’s family but also to the team’s inner strength.
“I think we’re a team first and foremost,’’ Infanger said. “I think we relied heavily on being a family. We all got together pretty much every night after Justin’s passing. We really focused on being together and being there for one another. It’s been a real emotional season. But we consider ourselves a tight-knit family.
“It’s a family that’s going to get through this with the Baileys and everyone else, including the whole town.’’
The small, close-knit hockey community also played a significant role, Collins and Infanger said.
“The hockey community really rallied behind us,’’ Infanger said. “The kids saw this and realized there’s something bigger than what we are here. The kids bought into that and supported each other.
“There were tough days. Some kid might have ended up playing a few minutes and going to the bench and shedding a few tears. But he never did it alone. Somebody always sat with him.’’
When the Red and Blue players arrived at a rink, they went through a pregame ritual that began with hanging Bailey’s No. 17 jersey on the wall behind their bench.
“Everyone tapped it before they went on the ice,’’ Kwok said. “It was another way to show we felt he was still with us.’’
The players also recited his name before stepping on the ice.
“By doing that and touching his jersey, I think it was a way for the kids to experience a catharsis,’’ said Infanger.
“I think the team wanted Justin to be part of it. Playing games was a way to include him.’’
Ben Bailey said “a lot of good things have come out of this for the kids, teachers, staff, and our neighbors,’’ noting that one parent, Ted Donahue, asked the selectmen about running with Justin’s No. 17 in the Boston Marathon.
The selectmen also approached Bailey about setting up a scholarship fund in his son’s honor.
“I used to think that I lived on the best dead-end street in Natick. Now, I realize that I live in the best town in Massachusetts.’’
by Matt Lodi
It is truly amazing how in just a short period of time, one single event can be turned into something spectacular.
Behind the lead of the Natick Hockey Alliance and many other volunteers, the Justin Bailey Benefit for the Bailey Family was a smashing success Friday night at the VFW in Natick.
Upwards of two-hundred people throughout the evening showed up, most from Natick, whether they were involved with the Natick High School program or Comets program, or just wanted to lend their support. Others from surrounding communities were in attendance as well, just showing the impact this has had on everyone.
In a matter of a few days there were many great silent auction items to bid on, in addition to raffle prizes for those in attendance. All proceeds, including any donations from those walking through the door, went directly to the Justin Bailey Memorial Fund.
Some of the auction items that were included were Boston Bruins tickets, Patriots/Broncos tickets, signed memorabilia, hockey sticks, hockey equipment, paintings and many other great items, all of which were donated.
It was truly an evening that proved that a community can come together, no matter who they are to help for one common cause.
There will also be a few more items to bid on through a Silent Auction that will be available on the Natick High Hockey website this week. The featured items include a 16x20 picture (double matted and framed) of the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins, in which all the players have signed. In addition there will be a signed hockey stick by the current 2012 Boston Bruins team.
At the end of the day, a community came together and raised money from one common purpose, and it is truly amazing the support one can get in such short time.
Flyers pay respects to a rival Before Monday night’s trip down to Pilgrim Arena to take on Hingham, the Framingham boys hockey team stopped in to pay its respects to the friends and family of Natick’s Justin Bailey, who tragically and unexpectedly died from natural causes at his home last Wednesday.
Bailey, a 17-year-old senior, got to play only one shift as a member of the Red & Blue varsity, a 36-second appearance during a 4-1 loss to Franklin on Dec. 30.
Ask people from the communities of Framingham and Natick and they will tell you that the rivalry between the schools trumps even that of the Red Sox and Yankees. It doesn’t matter what the sport or what part of the season it may be — when the Red & Blue play the Flyers, it’s a must-attend for everyone in both towns.
Framingham coach Paul Spear, joined by Principal Michael Welch and Flyers athletic director Gary Doherty, visited with both the boys and girls hockey teams at Natick the day after Bailey’s passing. In his talk with the teams, Spear mentioned the connection that rivalry between the two towns brings about and the bond that they share because of it.
“It really meant a lot to me to be able to speak to our archrivals and tell them that we share a very special bond in the fact that we are archrivals,” he said. “We share that bond and when you take the buckets off, we’re all hockey players. We’re all brothers in hockey. It means a lot that we have that bond to share as well.”
Despite a 6 p.m. faceoff with Hingham, there was no question the Flyers would appear at Bailey’s wake Monday afternoon. One by one, the entire team walked through the line and received an embrace from Bailey’s mother, Nicole, and paid their respects.
“The players from our team had the opportunity to give his mom a hug and walk through the line and let her know that she wasn’t alone in her grief,” Spear said. “We can only imagine how that would feel but we tried to give the players a sense for … just imagine if there was one empty jersey in the locker room tonight. We send along our condolences to the hockey family in Natick.”
On the ice, No. 5 Hingham scored two shorthanded goals and a power play goal while surviving a stellar, 35-save performance by Framingham’s sophomore goalie Al Lynch to take a 4-0 victory.
The win was the sixth straight for Hingham (7-2-0) since a 5-1 loss at the hands of St. Mary’s, all coming at home on the cozy confines of the Pilgrim Arena ice surface against power programs such as Marshfield, Weymouth, Needham, Acton-Boxboro and Catholic Memorial.
“Honestly the atmosphere here at Pilgrim, we love it,” Hingham tri-captain Matt Hughes said when asked to explain the team’s turnaround. “Our fans and everything, it’s the best. Coming out in our hometown and in our barn. The locker room is getting a lot better, we’re all starting to get along with each other a lot better. Everything’s just clicking.”
Sam D’Antuono notched the game’s lone even-strength goal with 1:14 left in the first period, Hughes added a power play goal midway through the second, and John Carlson and Ryan Linehan each added shorthanded tallies to close out the scoring.
Natick High hockey players pay tribute to teammate
January 12, 2012 By Damien Vega/Daily News correspondent MetroWest Daily News
NATICK — It started like every other hockey game at Chase Arena. Starting lineups were announced and players skated to the blue line.
Then, it got emotional.
It was the first game since senior Justin Bailey, 17, died unexpectedly last Wednesday. The Natick High boys hockey team observed a moment of silence in tribute to Bailey before last night’s game against Dedham.
“The whole community has rallied around this loss,” Natick Athletic Director Tim Collins said. “It’s really come from everywhere; the school, the community and even the (Bay State) Conference.”
The moment of silence was the final tribute on a day dedicated to Bailey.
Natick won last night’s game, defeating Dedham by a score of 8-0.
In the lobby prior to the game, volunteers collected donations in lieu of admission in order to help support the family. Earlier in the evening, the Natick Police Department donated a banner with Bailey’s name and number 17 emblazoned on it.
That banner now hangs next to the scoreboard at Chase Arena. A NHS student made a banner the Red and Blue hung on their bench that read “Justin Bailey Family.” The game program had three pages dedicated to Bailey and both the boys and girls hockey teams have dedicated their seasons to him.
On the ice, Bailey’s brother, Griffin, a sophomore goalie, dressed for his first varsity game to honor his brother.
The Natick High boys and girls hockey teams are now wearing a sticker on their helmet designed by a Natick High student.
The sticker depicts a hockey puck with the number 17 on it and Bailey’s name. Also, Dedham and every other BSC team will wear a white sticker on their helmets with Bailey’s number on it.
“The outpouring of support has been amazing,” Collins said. “Everyone has really pulled together to support the family.
Death of hockey player turns team into family
January 19, 2012 By Jason Mastrodonato
It is hard for Matt Kustra, or any of his teammates on the Natick High boys’ hockey team, to remember what life was like three weeks ago, how normal everything felt.
That all changed on Jan. 4, at the stop of a heartbeat, with the sudden death of senior teammate Justin Bailey.
The Red & Blue had just finished warming up for their Bay State Conference matchup that evening against Needham. As the players returned to the locker room, a few began to wonder why Bailey, a fourth-line center, had not arrived at West Suburban Rink.
Alex Marcinkiewicz tried texting Bailey four times. There was no response.
He made a failed phone call attempt before focusing on Bailey’s younger brother, Griffin, one of his best friends. He sent a few texts.
“Oh, we knew something was wrong,’’ Marcinkiewicz said. “You could just feel it.’’
Bailey’s father, Ben, had walked into the house around 5. His wife, Nicole, was on her computer, sending e-mails. Their two youngest sons, Mason, 11, and Griffin, 15, were doing homework. Then he noticed Justin’s hockey stick. It was not taped.
“I said, ‘What the hell is wrong with him? He’s going to be late for his game,’ ’’ recalled Bailey.
“So I went down to yell at him and I opened the door. The video game was playing - it was one of those race car games - and he was laying there.
“Now sometimes, he’d tease me when I’d yell at him. He’d turn slowly and go, ‘Is someone talking?’ So I started to yell at him, about being late. And he had his head back laying on the couch with the controller in his hand, so I thought he was giving me a hard time. Then I thought he was sleeping.
“So I went over to shake him and I knew: He was gone.’’ The cause of death was still unknown this week; according to Bailey, it probably will be some time before the family has a definitive answer.
Natick coach Karl Infanger received a call from Bailey a short time later. The game was canceled, along with the team’s match three nights later against Milton.
“It’s just a strange feeling,’’ Marcinkiewicz said. “And you don’t believe it at first because it doesn’t hit you: that he’s gone and will never come back.’’
But Ben Bailey suddenly realized something that would change the entire grieving process for his family.
“You only see the part of your kids that they let you see,’’ he said while watching the Red & Blue skate against Acton-Boxborough Regional at the Nashoba Valley Olympia on Monday night. “And then something like this happens, and you realize it affects a whole community.’’
The Baileys invited the entire team over to their house the day after Justin’s death, and the girls’ team the day after, followed by the boys’ team again that Saturday.
According to Ben Bailey, more than 3,000 paid their respects at his son’s wake on Jan. 9, including players representing eight high school programs from the area.
In a quick turnaround, Jumble Designs in Natick produced enough commemorative patches for the Natick High boys’ and girls’ hockey teams to wear on their jerseys. The patch is white, with Justin’s uniform number, ‘’17,’’ in red stitching and “JB’’ in bright blue.
His initials and number are splashed everywhere in the hallways in the school, and around town.
“I’ll see a 17 on a license plate and boom, reminds me of Justin right away,’’ said Kustra, a junior captain. “I’ll even see a letter J on a sign or something and it reminds me of him. I try not to think about it as much as I can, but it still does come back to me and it’s so hard not to keep it in your mind.’’
The Natick hockey players even changed their team’s motto.
“We always preach team-first,’’ said Infanger. “We bring it in after every practice and say, ‘One-two-three - team.’ But the kids have changed it to ‘family.’ The kids bring it in every game and now it’s ‘One-two-three - family.’
“Because that’s what we are. We’re a family who sticks together, cares for each other, and we’re always there for each other.’’
The grieving has not been easy, but it has been necessary.
Roughly 1,000 folks changed their Facebook profile pictures to the red-lettered No. 17. And someone started a page promoting the boys’ hockey team’s first game back, at home last Wednesday against Dedham.
Infanger had a surprise. He called Griffin Bailey, a goalie on the junior varsity, and asked him to dress for the game. If the Red & Blue seized a commanding lead, he would replace starter Derek Kwok. Natick, however, entered the game with just one win.
It was no ordinary game.
“I got halfway dressed and peeked my head out of the locker room and saw kids just surrounding the rink,’’ Kustra said. “There were just so many people there. I’ll never forget that game.’’
Natick (2-3-3 overall) led, 1-0, after one period before opening up a 4-0 cushion in the second.
Infanger said, “There was still plenty of time in the second period and they’re all looking at me - ‘Is he going in? Can we put him in?’ ’’
“That was our goal: Get Griffin in the game, no matter what,’’ Kustra said. “We were going to do our best to make that happen.’’
Finally, with an 8-0 lead and seven minutes left in the third period, Infanger gave Griffin Bailey the green light, and West Suburban Rink erupted with noise.
Dedham, limited to eight shots to that point, turned it on. Bailey made eight saves, each one prompting loud cheers from the crowd.
It did not, by any means, signal the end of the grieving process. But it reminded the Baileys how much support they have, and that they will never be alone.
“I don’t think it’ll ever be back to normal,’’ Infanger said. “There’s still a hole in everyone’s heart. There are still times when kids have to take a minute out of practice and just compose themselves. That loss is always around us. Justin’s spirit is around us.
“I don’t think it’ll ever be the same or back to normal. But we’ll do the best we can to play hard and maybe get something done this season.’’
Donations can be made to the Justin Bailey Memorial Fund, c/o Middlesex Savings Bank, 150 Commonwealth Ave., Wayland, MA 01778-4831.
Jason Mastrodonato can be reached at jasonmastrodonato@yahoo.com.
Natick hockey player Bailey, 17, dies
by Scott Barboza January, 5, 2012
Thirty-six seconds. An insubstantial morsel in the great ocean of time that constitutes our lives.
That’s all the time Justin Bailey had in his varsity hockey career at Natick High. One shift on the Red & Blue’s fourth line during garbage time of a 4-1 non-league loss against undefeated Franklin last Friday.
To anyone in attendance, they might not have noticed it. They might have been headed toward the exits.
But that time, spent wearing his home town’s sweater, meant the world to Justin.
"His father talked to me afterward and told me how much it meant to him,” Natick head coach Karl Infanger said Thursday afternoon. “It was like he’d just won the Stanley Cup.”
Bailey died suddenly on Wednesday at his home, reportedly of natural causes. He was 17 years old.
A senior at Natick, this was Bailey’s first varsity season with the hockey team. He was cut as a freshman, worked hard and spent his sophomore and junior years with the junior varsity. There was no question in Infanger’s mind where Bailey belonged leading into this season, even if he might not see the ice often.
“He was the epitome of a team player,” Infanger said. “He’s the type of kid that isn’t the most gifted athlete in the world, but he had a passion for hockey. He loved the game.
“His teammates loved having him around.”
Infanger makes it a point to have one-on-one meetings with his players every five games throughout the season. He sat down with Bailey a few days ago. Recently, Bailey had been battling an ankle injury, not the kind that would keep him out of practice though. Infanger talked to him about ice time and his role on the team.
“He told me,” Infanger said, “'None of that matters, I just want to see the team win.”
Bailey’s mother works in the Natick school system and his younger brothers play hockey as well, one of them with the Red & Blue’s J.V. team.
Infanger broke the news of Bailey’s passing to his teammates minutes before they were scheduled to take the ice in a league game against Needham, Wednesday night.
That game and the boys’ and girls’ hockey games scheduled for Saturday have been postponed out of respect for the family, though both teams mingled on the ice at the Suburban Arena on Thursday for a pick-up game of shinny. The ice time had already been reserved for practice.
"We have to take care of life first,” Infanger said, “but it was nice for the kids to come together, and share the game, and have that time to sort through this together.”
On Thursday, word flickered across the Internet that Minnesota high school hockey player Jack Jablonski is not expected to walk again, following an extensive surgery after severing his spinal cord during a game last Friday.
The Worcester Telegram & Gazette also reported that 18-year-old Nipmuc Regional student Jack Street was killed on Wednesday after he fell from a ski lift at the Ski Ward in Shrewsbury. A skier from the age of 5, Street was practicing with the school’s ski team for the first time.
When Infanger talked about the shock of learning Bailey’s death, he spoke of how such events can tear down the belief that we’re somehow immune from tragedy as we go about everyday life.
At a time when so much attention is paid to resolutions and hope of things to come, let’s take one lesson throughout this new year:
Thirty-six seconds can mean everything.
Fans Fill Hockey Arena for Team Support
William Chase Arena was packed Wednesday night for the Natick High School varsity hockey team's first game since the death of teammate Justin Bailey. Across town, residents are working to raise money for the Justin Bailey Memorial Fund, which will help the family of a Natick High School senior who died last week.
By Matt Lodi
It was a tribute...a sea of red...an emotional outpouring.
The Natick and Red Blue varsity hockey team took the ice in front of a packed house at William Chase Arena Wednesday night, the fan base decked out in red in support of the hockey program playing their first game in more than a week after the death of senior forward Justin Bailey.
The support was deafening, the atmosphere was electric, and the action on the ice couldn’t have been better.
After a moment of silence in honor of Justin, the Red and Blue buckled up their helmets and went full throttle, thrashing their opponents, the Dedham Marauders, 8-0 to improve to 2-2-2 on their season, which has been dedicated to Justin.
Junior captain Matt Kustra scored a hat trick while sophomore Jack Murphy netted his first career varsity goal in the victory. Also adding goals were Mike Perry, Tim Dunn, Mike Pennett and Derek Butler.
However, it wasn’t the goals that brought the most noise from the Natick faithful; it was the moment that took place with about seven minutes to play in the third period—a moment that made the rink sound like the Boston Garden.
Justin’s brother, sophomore goaltender Griffin Bailey entered the game playing in a varsity game for the first time. Griffin stopped all seven shots he faced in the seven-minute time frame, more shots than Natick captain and starting goaltender Derek Kwok saw in the first two and a half periods of play.
Griffin entered to a standing ovation.
The fan base had been chanting, “We want Griffin,” prior to the goaltender entering the game, and once he did there wasn’t a single person sitting down.
Once the game was over, the Red and Blue players rushed from the bench and jumped onto Griffin in the corner of the ice. They followed that with a thank you to the hundreds of student fans, and then saluted the banner that now hangs at William Chase Arena in honor of Justin Bailey.
In the end, it wasn’t the final score that mattered at William Chase Arena because this wasn’t an ordinary night, and it wasn’t just another win.
Natick Unites to Raise Money for Bailey Fund
Across town, residents are working to raise money for the Justin Bailey Memorial Fund, which will help the family of a Natick High School senior who died last week.
By Alissa Letkowski
In the wake of Natick High School senior Justin Bailey's death last week, Natick residents and the Massachusetts hockey community have united to remember the hockey player and raise money for a fund set up in his name.
The town will come together tonight under one roof at the Natick VFW post to collect donations for the Justin Bailey Memorial Fund at Middlesex Savings Bank. The fund will help the Baileys cover the unexpected costs of burying their son.
"The Baileys never asked for anyone to do this; we just wanted to help out wherever we could," said Doug Rausch, whose son Jeffrey is also a senior hockey player and played with Bailey since age 5. Rausch, who is also good friends with Bailey's uncle, Bruce, helped establish the account, along with other hockey parents.
"I think everyone felt you should never have to pay money to bury your kid and we wanted to see if we could help with the immediate expenses of that," he said. "Everyone wants to help. No one really knew what to do and a very easy thing to do is to try to raise money. So, we thought we could try to help them with any needs they have going forward."
Natick High School junior Laila Fatimi didn't know Bailey, but like many other students, she was impacted by his death and inspired to give back. Since Bailey's death, the 16-year-old junior has been putting her artistic skills to use and offering temporary henna tattoos to her peers in exchange for donations to the Justin Bailey Memorial Fund. Fatimi paints Bailey's number "17," adorned with an angel wing, on her friends' skin to honor him. So far, the teen has raised about $50, but has ordered more henna and plans to offer more tattoos during lunch today and beyond.
"I have some friends on the hockey team and I asked them and they all loved [the idea]," said Fatimi. "I think it's just another way of showing how close the community is and just how amazing everyone has been.”
William Chase Arena was packed with fans Wednesday for the team's first game since Bailey's death. At the door, attendees offered up money from their pockets and the referees donated their pay for the game in Bailey's memory. All other hockey teams in the conference have been sporting the number 17 on their helmets and some even placed Justin's name on the game puck.
Natick's varsity hockey coach, Karl Infanger, said the community has offered strong support to the team since last Wednesday night. As the news of Bailey's death spread, he has received email condolences from his own college hockey teammates from as far as Canada as well as from other high school coaches.
"More than any other sport, hockey is a fraternity...it's a tight-knit community even though it's spread all around the globe," said Infanger. "The community itself in Natick— it has been outstanding."
The fundraiser tonight, organized by the Natick Hockey Alliance, will go from 7 p.m. to midnight at theNatick VFW, 113 West Central St. Donations will be collected at the door and there will be a silent auction and raffle. Pizza and snacks will be provided.
Donations to the Justin Bailey Memorial Fund can be made by mail to:
Justin Bailey Memorial Fund c/o Middlesex Savings Bank 150 Commonwealth Road, Wayland, MA 01778-4831
Time on ice was special for Natick's Bailey
Ian B. Murphy/Daily News staff January 06, 2012
NATICK — For 36 seconds last Friday Justin Bailey lived a lifelong dream, taking the ice for Natick High during a varsity hockey game.
But his first shift turned out to be his last. Bailey died unexpectedly of natural causes in his home on Wednesday, an hour before his team was set to take the ice again.
Bailey, a 17-year-old senior, was prepping for the team’s game against Needham. He had checked his equipment and taped his sticks, his father said, and went into the TV room to play video games for a bit.
“I went to get him when it was time to go, and I thought he was sleeping, and he wasn’t,” Ben Bailey said. “He was gone.”
Bailey had no known medical condition, his father said, and the cause of death has not been determined.
Justin Bailey had three passions: fishing, hockey and family.
“He pretty much played hockey year round,” his father said. “He grew up playing with his uncles, and his father and grandfather. He’d play anytime you let him.”
Bailey spent the last three years on junior varsity, and was rehabbing an ankle injury at the start of this season, his father said. His first shift came in the third period of a 4-1 loss to Franklin, but for Bailey it was special.
“It wasn’t much, but it meant the world to him,” said Bailey.
The team’s photographer captured Bailey on the ice, and he was so thrilled with the pictures he put them on his Facebook page and sent them to his mother while she was at work.
“We got a couple pictures of him, and he thought it was the greatest thing in a world,” said Natick High varsity hockey coach Karl Infanger. “Justin was just so proud of it. I think, as a coach, you kind of lose sight of the little things, and you don’t realize with some of these kids how much that really meant to them. For him, in his eyes, I think he felt like he made it, even if it was just for 36 seconds.”
His parents informed Infanger, and the game against Needham was called off on Wednesday. Natick High canceled all sports events yesterday out of respect for the Baileys; the boys and girls hockey teams canceled their weekend games as well.
Infanger said Bailey was a true team player who knew his role. Infanger said his lasting memory of Bailey will be a coaching meeting the two had on Tuesday.
“He looks at me, and said, ‘I know I shouldn’t be getting that much playing time. There are other players that are better than me. I just want to win, and I want to be a part of this team,’” Infanger said. “You hear it then, and you say, ‘He’s just a good kid. He’s a real team player.’ But then when you look at it in retrospect, you look at how special of an attitude that really is.
“Take every second you live, and every second you’re on the ice, and play it like it’s your last because you just never know.”
Bailey was just as unselfish away from the game of hockey. He loved his mother, Nicole, and his brothers Mason and Griffin, and spent most of his time with family.
“He babysat his cousins so his uncle and his aunt could go play hockey at least two or three times a week,” his father said. “He helped build a hockey rink in their front yard. He did whatever he could to help. He just wanted us to be happy.”
He worked during the summer and part time during the week for his uncle at JMH Automotive in Waltham. He talked about crewing a fishing boat after he graduated high school. While visiting family in Florida, he fished whenever he could.
The family donated Bailey’s organs at MetroWest Medical Center’s Leonard Morse Hospital, something his father said he would want to do.
The family doesn’t have details on a memorial service yet, but it will be at John Everett Funeral Home in Natick Center.
The boys and girls hockey teams have created a patch to wear on their uniforms in memory of Bailey. With their practices and games canceled yesterday, both teams met at Chase Ice Arena in Natick.
His teammates and friends declined to speak with a reporter, instead lacing up their skates to honor his memory by playing hockey.
Player’s spirit watches over Natick hockey squad Team draws strength from family, town
By Mike Scandura Globe Correspondent / March 15, 2012
BOURNE - For every high school team, regardless of sport, the pregame routine is usually consistent: Step on the bus, ride to the game, then ride home.
That routine changed dramatically for the boys’ hockey team at Natick High after senior Justin Bailey died unexpectedly from natural causes on Jan. 4.
“We have a great bus driver in town, Bill Dempsey, who’s coached a bunch of sports for us,’’ and has sons who played hockey for Natick, said Tim Collins, the school’s athletic director. “He always would swing by the gravesite on the way to a game and on the way home from a game,’’ including the playoffs, Collins said. “And that helped get the guys together and get them to think about it.’’
Before games, the Red and Blue players stood at Bailey’s grave in Dell Park Cemetery and held hands. “We’d say his name and say, ‘We’re going to do this for you, buddy,’ coach Karl Infanger said.
The Red and Blue advanced to the Division 1 South final - the team’s deepest postseason run in years - before losing, 3-1, to top-seeded Milton on Sunday.
At 8-8-4, Natick entered the tournament as the ninth seed in the South sectional, but bounced Brockton by a 5-3 score, edged Super 8 invitee Needham, 3-2, and defeated Norwood, 1-0, to earn its shot against Milton.
Senior goalie Derek Kwok said Bailey’s passing, and the togetherness that the loss fostered within the program and in the community, was a factor as the Red and Blue ventured into the tournament.
“I think we got as far as we did because Justin was looking down on us,’’ said Kwok, a captain who was stellar in net all season. “I think he gave us a couple of good bounces that went our way.
“Speaking for myself, I felt his presence. I got the feeling he still was with us and was looking down on us.’’
Kwok was especially appreciative of the support the Red and Blue received from the Bailey family - parents Ben and Nicole, along with younger brothers Mason and Griffin.
“His family came to all the games,’’ Kwok said. “Their coming showed how much Justin loved playing hockey. They knew he loved being on the team, and it gave us some extra motivation.’’
Griffin Bailey, a sophomore, was a goalie on the junior varsity team; Mason Bailey played for the Natick Comets II team that recently won the state PeeWee Tier III title.
“Justin’s family has been truly amazing,’’ Collins said. “They’ve been around a lot. They brought cookies for the team after every game. They’ve really been a strong family through all of this.
“They’ve been a great model for our kids to see how you truly deal with tragedy. They’re the ones that have dealt with great adversity this year, and with such class and real dignity. His family’s been great for us as well.’’
“I really believe we mourn for the living,’’ said Ben Bailey. “Being there for each other is important. I told [the team] that our family would do whatever we could to help the team heal.
“We were completely blown away by the town’s response’’ to Justin’s death, he said. “We couldn’t have gotten through this without the people from the school.’’
How the Red and Blue advanced to the South final, let alone complete the regular season, was a testament not only to Bailey’s family but also to the team’s inner strength.
“I think we’re a team first and foremost,’’ Infanger said. “I think we relied heavily on being a family. We all got together pretty much every night after Justin’s passing. We really focused on being together and being there for one another. It’s been a real emotional season. But we consider ourselves a tight-knit family.
“It’s a family that’s going to get through this with the Baileys and everyone else, including the whole town.’’
The small, close-knit hockey community also played a significant role, Collins and Infanger said.
“The hockey community really rallied behind us,’’ Infanger said. “The kids saw this and realized there’s something bigger than what we are here. The kids bought into that and supported each other.
“There were tough days. Some kid might have ended up playing a few minutes and going to the bench and shedding a few tears. But he never did it alone. Somebody always sat with him.’’
When the Red and Blue players arrived at a rink, they went through a pregame ritual that began with hanging Bailey’s No. 17 jersey on the wall behind their bench.
“Everyone tapped it before they went on the ice,’’ Kwok said. “It was another way to show we felt he was still with us.’’
The players also recited his name before stepping on the ice.
“By doing that and touching his jersey, I think it was a way for the kids to experience a catharsis,’’ said Infanger.
“I think the team wanted Justin to be part of it. Playing games was a way to include him.’’
Ben Bailey said “a lot of good things have come out of this for the kids, teachers, staff, and our neighbors,’’ noting that one parent, Ted Donahue, asked the selectmen about running with Justin’s No. 17 in the Boston Marathon.
The selectmen also approached Bailey about setting up a scholarship fund in his son’s honor.
“I used to think that I lived on the best dead-end street in Natick. Now, I realize that I live in the best town in Massachusetts.’’