Medford High Selects New Head Boys Ice Coach

Long-time St. John’s Prep Coach Comes to Medford

– Allison Goldsberry

Steven DeBenedictis, a long-time coach with St. John’s Preparatory School, will head up the varsity boys ice hockey program in Medford next season.

DeBenedictis coached at St. John’s Prep for seventeen years, serving as a goaltender coach and defensive assistant, head junior varsity coach, and assistant head varsity coach.

“I have been a high school hockey coach for 17 years and have developed an understanding of how to run a successful high school hockey program. My loyalty and dedication to the student athletes I have coached has given me insight as to what is important beyond wins and losses. It has been my pleasure, not only developing their athletic skills as players, but also encouraging the maturation process needed in life by reinforcing qualities such as confidence, loyalty, discipline and teamwork,” said DeBenedictis.

DeBenedictis is a 1986 Malden High School graduate and also attended St. Anselm College. He has worked at VIP Men’s Hair Styling in Medford Square for over twenty years.

DeBenedictis takes over the program from head coach Chuck Allen, who led the team for seven years. After going undefeated in the Greater Boston League this year, Medford clinched the GBL title, automatically qualifying them for the state tournament despite their 7-13 record. They advanced to the North quarterfinals in the state tournament before being knocked out by St. Mary’s.

Medford Athletic Director Bob Maloney said Allen is “a good guy” and that he was seriously considered along with other applicants for the head coach position. Maloney said DeBenedictis was selected in an effort to retain talented young Medford hockey players, who often are lured away to other schools to play hockey.