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Gloucester hockey star Biondo set to transfer

Friday, May, 16 By Matt Langone
Sports editor

The chances of the Gloucester High School boys hockey team repeating as Northeastern Conference champs next winter just got a little bit slimmer.

High-scoring junior forward Brett Biondo has decided to transfer to Division 1 power Malden Catholic for his senior year. Biondo's move had been rumored for a while, and the Fishermen's leading goal-scorer confirmed the decision yesterday.

"I made the decision based on the school and the exposure that comes with playing hockey at Malden Catholic," said Biondo, who netted 23 goals to go with 19 assists last season. "It will be tough at first to make the switch but I'm looking forward to the challenge."

The decision had nothing to do with Biondo being unhappy at GHS, but has everything to do with Biondo wanting to prepare himself to play college hockey. In fact, he admits it will be tough to leave the place that has been his home for the last three years.

"It will definitely be difficult to leave behind everything I know and everyone I've been around," said Biondo, who plans to also do a year of prep school after Malden Catholic. "It will take a little while to get used to."

Biondo tallied 80 career points with the Fishermen, highlighted by last season's 42-point campaign, which helped Gloucester to a 15-5-2 record and a trip to the Division 2 North quarterfinals. He was named an NEC All-Star in both his sophomore and junior seasons.

The loss of Biondo will particularly hurt the Fishermen because they will now lose their top three point-scorers from last season. Seniors Jeremy Fanning (21 goals, 24 assists) and Andrew Fulford (14 goals, 22 assists) will graduate.

Biondo says because the decision was recently finalized, the news hasn't fully started to spread quite yet.

"Some people know about it, but I haven't heard many people talking about it yet," Biondo said. "It's obviously not the best situation to discuss all the time."

Nevertheless, Biondo is excited to begin play at his new school next winter. Malden Catholic advanced all the way to the prestigious Super 8 championship game last season before falling to Reading, 3-0.

"They are a quick, fast-moving team and I think I can definitely jump right in," said Biondo. 'It's going to be a great test. The only bad part is the 40-minute commute there and back every day. But you have to make those sacrifices."