Update: Ex-Cumberland hockey star died in Rt. 295 crash
4:19 PM Tue, Nov 03, 2009 | Permalink
Email
 |
 |
Projo 7 to 7 News BlogTaking the news pulse of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, by Providence Journal and projo.com staff, from 7 to 7, every business day |
|
Get the 7 to 7 on your mobile at www.projo.com. Twitter: projo | RSS | Email alerts
« Date for Station fire payouts to victims still unclear |
Main
| DOT to eliminate Route 95 southbound split »
Journal file photo Kyle J. McLaughlin, after a 2007 game against East Providence. By Kate Bramson and Tatiana Pina He could be a goofball, having fun and making people laugh but when he got on the ice to play hockey "he was all business," she said. "The world was shut off for him when he played hockey." McLaughlin, 19, a hockey standout for the Cumberland High School Clippers who helped lead his teammates to a Division II state championship in 2008, died when his SUV rolled over on Route 295 south Monday afternoon ejecting him, just north of Route 146 in Lincoln. At their home at 78 Mount Pleasant View Ave. in Cumberland, Samantha and her father, David, sat on the porch of a duplex decorated for the season with corn stalks and chrysanthemums as a stream of friends and family came to the house to give their condolences. Kyle had been a co-captain of the hockey team and he had also captained the lacrosse team. Hockey was his first love, and at an early age, Kyle took class to get certified to coach youth hockey, David McLaughlin said. "It was him and adults but he was serious," David McLaughlin said. Word spread fast about Kyle's accident and by Monday evening his extended family -- his teammates from the Cumberland High School hockey team and his coach had gathered at a friend's house to remember a young man who had passion and love for the game and his team. McLaughlin graduated in 2008, after a triumphant hockey season in which he helped lead his team to the Division II state championship and garnered the Rev. Robert C. Newbold Most Valuable Player Award. Teammates said McLaughlin was funny and sometimes goofy, but in a good way. When it came to playing hockey, he had a grit and determination that was infectious, said Mark Andreozzi, coach for the Cumberland High hockey team who serves as the fitness coordinator at Roger Williams University. "He epitomized the game of hockey. He had so much passion and love for it. He loved his team," Andreozzi said. "When he won the Newbold award, he was ecstatic. He said he had won it because of his teammates." Andreozzi said the team have decided that no one will wear McLaughlin's number 11 jursey this season, which starts in November. The team plans to wear arm bands with McLaughlin's number, Andreozzi said. "We feel like you lost a member of the family and we did," Andreozzzi said. "He was the heart and soul of this team in many ways. We tried to create a family atmosphere on this team. Words just can't explain what this means to the team, to his friends, to everybody." McLaughlin kept in touch with Andreozzi after he graduated, calling and texting. He was attending classes at CCRI. He would stop by to watch the hockey games. He and other teammates attended Andreozzi's bachelor's party before he got married in September. McLaughlin had talked about helping Andreozzi coach this season. McLaughlin was driving in the high-speed lane when he lost control of the Ford Explorer and crossed over the middle and right lanes, rolling over on the shoulder, state police Lt. Arnold "Skip" Buxton said Tuesday morning. The police don't know what caused McLaughlin, who was traveling alone, to lose control, Buxton said. He was not using a cell phone, he was not text-messaging, and it does not appear that he was driving at a high rate of speed or recklessly, Buxton said. It does not appear as if McLaughlin was wearing a seat belt when he crashed, according to the police. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The police do not know where he was going Monday afternoon, Buxton said. A version of this story was originally posted at 11:40 a.m. McLaughlin was among a special group of hockey players, Andreozzi told The Providence Journal back in March 2008, as the team rose to the state championship. Four years earlier, as McLaughlin's freshman class had suited up for its first practice and went through its first set of drills, Andreozzi said in 2008, the coach could barely contain his enthusiasm. "I could see that class was special," Andreozzi said as his then seniors capped four solid hockey years by winning the Cox Sports Division II state high school hockey championship at Providence College's Schneider Arena. Andreozzi said he has a picture of the team in his office at work with a smiling McLaughlin that peers out at him. "It is hard to believe that we won't see him again, that he won't be coming to games but we are going to get through this together and look forward to the season and playing hockey because that is what Kyle would have wanted us to do,'' Andreozzi said. The original version of this story was published at 7:05 a.m. and was updated at 8:10 a.m. and at 11:40 a.m. 
CommentsLeave a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
Tags 
New comments
New photos
New posts
Projo blogs
Archives
God bless you, Kyle. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. We're all family, and we're with you. RIP #11.
Report Abuse
RIP KM; God picked you up and hugged you! May He take good care of you until we meet again; we love you so much; we have a big hole in our hearts today at your passing. Love Auntie Patty, Uncle Jim, Danielle, James and Matt
Report Abuse
You will be missed very much. You were a great teammate to Zach and a good friend of our family. Our hearts go out to you and your family.
Report Abuse
God Bless Kyle and the Maclaughlin family. My son played hockey for Tolman High (graduated 2008) those games against Cumberland High were some special games. Watching those games you just knew Kyle was a special hockey player but more importantly a special person.
Our son Bryan also had the pleasure of playing for the RI Storm with Kyle,most of the times as his line-mate. Thank you Kyle for being the person that your were and I'm sure you will be a great "Line-Mate" in heaven.
Our hearts go out for the MacLaughlin Family
the Tavares Family
Report Abuse
News of Kyle's passing has stunned our entire family. We do not know why these things happen. Our deepest condolences to the McLaughlin family during this painful period. Kyle was so talented and friendly to everyone. He was a credit to his wonderful family. We will miss him very much. Love,
Jeff Sandy & Eric Meunier
Report Abuse
May you rest in peach Kyle....i din't know you but i feel for your family and hope your in a better place.
Another young life in Cumberland taken way to soon...seems that not one year can go by that we don't lose a young life in this town. My prayers go out to the family, may god help you through this difficult time....
RIP---
MOTHER IN CUMBERLAND
Report Abuse
God Bless Kyle and the Maclaughlin family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. Kyle is in heaven looking down on all he loved, letting you know he is ok.
God Bless
Kim, Bill, Billy & Liz Hawthorne
Report Abuse
Our thoughts, prayers, and hearts go out to Kyle, and his family. The memories of Kyle will never be forgotten. He was someone special to everyone, and he will never be forgotten in our memories. We can only imagine the pain his parents are going through…they are wonderful people who brought up a wonderful son. Our deepest condolences to the family during this very hard and painful time. We truly are stunned and saddened by the loss of Kyle. Our hearts go out to the McLaughlin Family…
With love from Tuk, Marsha, & Audrey.
Report Abuse
Dear Kyle,
I only met you a few times but I will always remember those clown glasses and the Moosehead at Melissa's graduation party. My heart felt sympathy goes out to your family and friends. You will be remembered!
Report Abuse
Dear Kyle,
We are so saddened and shocked by the tragic loss of you. You will always be a part of our family, forever in our hearts and thoughts. You touched sooo many people and made all our lives better for being a part of it. You will be missed so much, rest in peace....Love You
Report Abuse
Our thoughts and prayers are with Kyle and his family durung this difficult time. Kyle was always full of energy and was a wonderful friend to all those who knew him. While ours heart may be sad, the simple thoughts of time spent with Kyle bring a smile to my face. I will always cherish the times that I spent with Kyle and his family and the memories will stay with me forever.
God Bless,
Rick, Lisa, Troy, & Danielle
Report Abuse
To the family , I am so sorry for your loss there is nothing anyone could say to make this time and the time to come any easier .You must have faith knowing he did not suffer and the love from which he gave to you in those short years of his life to keep in your hearts for your a lifetime .
Report Abuse
Our thoughts and prayers go to the whole McLaughlin family. Kyle was a wonderful kid who will be missed by all. We were lucky enough to have spent years together between baseball and hockey with Kyle and his family!! You will all be in our hearts and prayers.
All our love, The Van Winters
Report Abuse
may you rest in peace my friend. god is watching over you
Report Abuse
To the family,
Know that your son has touched the souls of many. Whether it be on the ice or off, so many children and parents are affected. We will all miss Kyle dearly.
Report Abuse
Kyle James McLaughlin u were the best person in the whole world. I miss you already and still having a hard time believing that your really gone and never comin back! :( camp will never b the same without you :( i wish you were here with me and hannah and lauren and all your family and friends! i know that everything happens for a reason and that its not goodbye! you have been a great role modle for alot of people including me! :( i miss you soooooooo much! :) i
Report Abuse
Our thoughts and prayers are with David and Samantha in their time of heartache and sorrow.
God bless and comfort you.
Manville Sportsmen's Rod and Gun Club
and the
Junior Rifle Program
Report Abuse
Kyle wrote to me on my website that "his heart sank and he was in extreme disbelief when he heard of my accident". I feel exactly the same about Kyle. I am so sad that he is gone. Kyle always thought about everyone else and was always there with a kind word saying the right thing to help you out. I will always have the memories of Kyle skating for my fight for 7 team against the Boston Bruins Alumni Team. Kyle played great and scored so many goals I lost count. It was one of the best days of my life and I'm sure Kyles also. I always looked up to Kyle and will always remember him for what an awesome hockey player he was. You are in my prayers. The Coyle family
Report Abuse
To the McLaughlin family,
Our hearts are saddened tonight hearing about your loss. I know there are no words to make your pain any less but please know you're in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you all.
The Dextraze family. (Mark Angie Evan and Cory)
Report Abuse
We were sadden by the sudden loss of Kyle. God has another very special angel and He will always be with you in your hearts and memories. Kyle has touched more lives than you can imagine and he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire family during this difficult time. May God Bless Kyle and the entire McLaughlin Family.
The Vela Family
Report Abuse