Red Wings defenseman Alex Biega makes his home in Hanover, Massachusetts, and the Patriot-Ledger’s Matt Cunha reports that Biega found a way to brighten the days of Hanover’s high school hockey champions:
The Division 3 state co-champions finally were able to get back together on Aug. 6 for the first since since the Lowell game to celebrate. In lieu of an end-of-year banquet, the team had a socially distanced cookout to give out awards. The team received their state championship trophy five months after their final game.
Detroit Red Wings defensemen and Hanover resident Alex Biega gave out the trophy. A couple of days before Hanover’s game, Biega signed an $875,000 one-year contract extension. Biega’s appearance was a big surprise to the Hanover players.
“It was great to see him there,” said senior captain Kyle Faherty. “I had heard he lives in town and maybe skates around here. I was lost for words when I saw him. It was awesome.”
The former Harvard hockey player lives in Hanover with his wife, Diana, who is originally from Weymouth. Biega uses the facilities at Hanover to work out , so Hanover athletic director Scott Hutchison approached Biega to see if he would come to the banquet.
“I’ve always said I would offer a willingness if they ever needed someone to talk to,” said Biega. “Or if I could be helpful in any way in the community or give back in any way I can.”
Continued, with Biega offering kind words and words of hope for his new friends, as well as himself:
“What strikes me about this community in Hanover is that you definitely feel like there is a sense of community,” said Biega, who has been focused on staying in shape and being a positive role model in the fight against COVID-19 since returning home.
“Just kind of steadily progressing for a season, for a tentative start date in late December, early January,” Biega said of the still-undefined 2020-21 NHL season. “We are in uncharted waters and territory and hopefully this is something that doesn’t happen again. (I have) three kids running around, so I keep busy.”
What a tremendously grounded dude. No wonder the Wings inked the third-pair defenseman to a contract befitting a heart-and-soul guy.
