by Andrew Vines ’29 on February 27, 2026

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Men's Ice Hockey

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Earlier this season, Providence College men’s ice hockey goalie Philip Svedebäck ’26 went down with an MCL injury. This injury would have Svedebäck out for a while, and the team needed someone to step up. Svedebäck’s backup was freshman Jack Parsons ’29. Parsons has stepped into Svedebäck’s role and has not looked back. Since filling in, Parsons has been one of the top goalies in the Hockey East Conference.

Parsons is from Cortland, NY. Growing up, he played two seasons for Mount St. Charles Academy. In his 15U AAA season, Parsons’s team went 29–2–1 in a season where he had a .923 save percentage. After his time at Mount St. Charles Academy, Parsons played for the U.S. National team and the USNTDP Juniors in the USHL. Parsons won gold at the 2022 World U17 Hockey Challenge for Team USA. At the U18 world championships in 2024, Parsons and Team USA won silver. After his time with Team USA and USNTDP Juniors, Parsons played for the Chicago Steel in the USHL. Over the 2025 summer, Parsons played at the Las Vegas Golden Knights development camp. Jack was the No.10 ranked North American goalie from the NHL’s Central Scouting rankings ahead of the last NHL draft where he went undrafted.

Since starting for PC, Parsons has picked up many awards. He has won Hockey East Rookie of the week twice, Hockey East Goaltender of the Week twice, Hockey East Goaltender of the Month, and National Rookie of the Month for January. These are all due to his spectacular performance on the ice. This season, Parsons has a .920 save percentage, 2.06 GAA, and two shutouts. In the Friars’ overtime win at Boston College, Parsons had 43 saves and recorded a .935 save percentage in the victory. In his starts since taking over for Svedebäck, the Friars are 11–2 and had a nine-game winning streak. Parsons has been a brick wall in the net for the Friars and has seemed to provide a spark for the team after a rough start to the season.

Parsons and the Friars are starting to heat up at the right time of the season. The Friars are currently up nine points in the Hockey East standings. If the Friars can hold the top spot in the standings, this would be the first time PC has won the Hockey East regular season title outright.

by Greg Lahr ’26 on February 27, 2026

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Sports Shorts

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Women’s Ice Hockey:
The women’s ice hockey team had a solid weekend, going 2–0. On Friday night, Feb. 13, the team defeated rival Boston College 2–1 in overtime at Chestnut Hill. Goaltender Hope Walinski ’26G recorded 35 saves while allowing only one goal against. Sami Snyder ’29 scored in regulation, while Reichen Kirchmair ’26 had the game winner in overtime. On Saturday night, Feb. 14, the Friars returned to Schneider Arena to take on the ranked College of the Holy Cross. Walinski had 23 saves in the victory and only allowed two goals. Jessie Pellerin ’28 had two goals in the game, including the game winner, and Kirchmair contributed with a goal as well. The Friars improved to 11–21–2 overall and 8–14–2 in Hockey East play.

Men’s Ice Hockey:
The Friars men’s ice hockey team split the series against Northeastern University this weekend, going 1–1. Looking to extend their winning streak to double digits, the Friars fell 4–2 to the Huskies on Friday night, Feb. 13. Netminder Jack Parsons ’29 recorded seven saves with three goals against, while John Mustard ’28 and Roger McQueen ’29 had the pair of goals for the Friars. Trying to rebound on Saturday night, Feb. 14, the team picked up a 4–1 win. Goaltender Michael Simpson ’29 secured the win with 17 saves and one goal against. Jonathan Fauchon ’29, Donovan McCoy ’29, Tanner Adams ’27, and Will Elger ’28 each had a goal. They are now 21–8–2 overall on the season and 16–4–1 in Hockey East play. The Friars remain in first place in the conference with a nine-point lead over Boston College.

Men’s Lacrosse:
The men’s lacrosse team fell to No. 12 Harvard University this weekend, 10–4, on Saturday, Feb. 13, in Cambridge, MA. Matt Lazzaro ’27 had two goals in the game, while Rhett Chambers ’27 and Richie Joseph ’26 each contributed with a goal of their own. Harvard forced 19 turnovers while also outshooting the Friars 35–23. Goalie Cam Sterritt ’28 had nine saves. The Friars are now 2–2 on the season and return to Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 12 p.m. against Brown University.

Men’s Basketball:
Men’s basketball lost both games this week. On Feb. 11, the team traveled to Seton Hall University to take on the Pirates. Despite Jaylin Sellers ’26G scoring 23 points and Stefan Vaaks ’29 adding another 20 points, the Friars were defeated 87–80. On Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, they took on former Friar Bryce Hopkins and St. John’s at the AMP. Again, after a scuffle and a few ejections, the team was defeated 79–69. With another loss, they now fall to 12–15 overall on the season and 5–11 in Big East play. They are tied with Marquette University for last in the Big East conference.

by Greg Lahr ’26 on February 12, 2026

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Sports

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Most people may know Mikey O’Brien through his social media presence, where he has created the persona “Mikey O’ver.” O’Brien, a Providence College graduate from the class of  2020, had to endure the difficult job market that most 2020 graduates face. A finance major here at PC, he had a few options after graduation, but none that ever materialized. With O’Brien’s father being a Seton Hall University graduate, he was surrounded by sports, especially Big East basketball, at a young age.

Despite his father attending a Big East rival, O’Brien ended up here at PC. He made many friends and connections, and has learned one lesson that he has carried with him since his graduation: there can always be a way to find your path through the most unlikely ways.

In 2018, O’Brien got an internship at the National Football League Network. He met someone who would eventually give him one of his biggest opportunities, Trent Attyah, known on social media as @BookItWithTrent. After O’Brien struggled with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 2020 job market, Attyah reached out to him with an idea: to create a social platform that allowed sports bettors to connect with each other and share their content and bets.

O’Brien was brought on to the original fundraising team and was trying to build what would become Bookit Sports. After his friend Attyah encouraged him to post content on the platform, he needed a name, and he liked to bet on overs for sports games. That is when the name and persona “Mikey O’ver” was born. 

Slowly, O’Brien built a mass following online through posting content and sports picks. Today, that has led him to have over 130,000 followers on X. However, having a high-profile social media presence comes with many ramifications. On social media, people will always have something to say and comment on what people post, especially when money is involved. At first, getting online hate can be stressful. He has learned that there is more to life than online hate and that there are nice people out there. O’Brien knows that it is what he signed up for with social media.

Now, after being a controversial online figure after his time at PC, O’Brien has learned to rebrand himself. As he gets older, he is learning to become himself again. Having an online social media presence doesn’t have to change you, and you can fully enjoy what you do when you can be yourself. Recently, he has signed a new deal with CBS Sports to continue doing what he loves, covering sports and posting picks.

by Andrew Vines ’29 on February 5, 2026

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Sports Shorts

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Men’s Basketball 

On Jan. 30 the Friars traveled to Villanova University to take on the Wildcats in a Friday night Big East matchup. Corey Floyd Jr. ’26 joined the injury report before the game bringing the number up to five inactive for the Friars. Stefan Vaaks ’29 was the game’s leading scorer, totaling 25 points and going 5–11 from beyond the arc. The Friars’ defense could not stop Villanova’s 3-point shooting as the Wildcats went 13–29 from three on the way to an 87–73 victory. The team is now last in the Big East with a conference record of 2–9 and 9–13 overall. DePaul University comes to town on Feb. 7 for a late afternoon tip. 

Men’s Ice Hockey 

The men’s ice hockey team came into the week ranked No. 9. They traveled to Alfond Sports Arena to take on the No. 17 ranked University of Maine Black Bears on Jan. 17. The Friars went down 1–0 early, but tied it up soon after with a goal from Alex Rybakov ’29. At the end of the first period the Friars trailed 2–1. There was no further scoring until Andrew Centrella ’27 tied it up with 5.6 seconds to go to force overtime for the Friars. In overtime, Logan Sawyer ’28 called game for the second time in two weeks to extend the Friars’ winning streak to seven. The Friars are one of the hottest teams in the country now at 16–7–2 atop the Hockey East. They will visit the University of New Hampshire on Feb. 6 and host the University of Vermont on Feb. 7. 

Women’s Ice Hockey 

The women’s ice hockey team traveled to the University of Vermont this weekend to take on the Catamounts for two games. The Friars won on Friday night, Jan. 30, 4–1. Molly Farace ’29 scored the lone goal in the first period. After allowing a goal, the Friars closed out the game on a 3–0 advantage with goals from Hannah Clarke ’28, Kiara Kraft ’27, and Megane Quirion ’26. On Saturday, Jan. 31, the Friars completed the sweep with a 3–2 victory. Audrey Knapp ’27 scored a power play goal, and Reichen Kirchmair ’26 and Emma Hofbauer ’28 tallied the other two. Their record is now 9–17–2. They will take on the University of Connecticut and Merrimack College on Feb. 6 and 7. 

Men’s Lacrosse 

The men’s lacrosse team traveled to the College of the Holy Cross on Saturday, Jan. 31 to open their season against the Crusaders. This game was moved indoors to the St. Ignatius Indoor Practice Facility due to the weather. After a 5–5 first quarter the Friars outscored the Crusaders 10–5 to close out the game and win 15–10. Rhett Chambers ’27 and Jay Wilkerson ’28 both scored four goals. Chambers also had two assists. Pennsylvania State University transfer Matt Lazzaro ’27 had a hat trick. Big East Pre-Season Offensive Player of the year Richie Joseph ’26 scored two goals. The Friars’ home opener is Saturday, Feb. 7 when they look to go 2–0 against the Bryant Bulldogs. 

by Connor Whalen ‘28 on January 29, 2026

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Opinion - Campus

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A crucial missed opportunity for the Providence College men’s basketball team to enter NCAA tournament contention after a blown lead to the University of Connecticut. A terrible loss to a mediocre Xavier University. A defeat on home soil against Villanova University. A mismanaged,  and embarrassing game against dead-last Marquette University. Worst of all, a blown lead— 21 points at its height—against Georgetown University and traitorous former head coach Ed Cooley. If Providence students and fans are booing their own head coach instead of Cooley, there is no clearer sign a change is needed. There is only one step the Friars can make to move in a positive direction, and that is to fire head coach Kim English. The English era is over.

Some aspects of the game of basketball are largely uncoachable. Pure scoring talent, raw athleticism, creativity, shooting ability: these skills can be slightly improved or enhanced by a good coach, but often these are gifts given to different players. English has been blessed with players who have all of the above; he has one of the most athletic teams in the Big East, with able-scorers, creative and skilled players, and abundant shooters. Jason Edwards ’26G and Jaylin Sellers ’26G are each putting up scoring tallies among the top in the Big East; Jamier Jones ’29 and Stefan Vaaks ’29 are two of the best freshman this program has ever seen; Oswin Erhunmwunse ’28 leads the Big East in blocks and is a force on the boards. 

Some other areas of the game are, however, very coachable, and well-run programs across the country do them well year-in and year-out, regardless of their personnel. Good coaches create a culture and a standard to be followed, and that bar has simply not been set high enough under coach English. He has allowed defensive rebounding, careless turnovers, lack of  situational awareness. He lacks grit and intensity, especially on the defensive end. There should be no room for lackadaisical play or sorry effort. That breeds the blown-lead losses we have seen over and over again. There is not enough pressure put on the players to get that crucial defensive rebound and prevent another clock reset and defensive possession. Players are not punished when they storm down the court and throw up an unintelligent shot. It is not just the players who deserve criticism; the one person that, at all times, should know the situation and make the right move is coach English, and he repeatedly fails to do that aspect of his job. Horrible management of the clock and timeouts, throwing out lineups that make no sense, not subbing out players when they need to be shown the bench. For example, letting players like Vaaks have free reign on the offensive end as he misses three-pointer after three-pointer. Last year, the excuse that there was not enough talent on the team was applicable, but that get-out-of-jail-free card is no longer valid. There is no more room for excuses for coach English and no reason for blame to be directed elsewhere. The blame must primarily fall on him. 

Some fans worry about next steps for the program. Firing coaches can cause massive disruption and overhaul in the college setting. They ask: what if players leave? What if we struggle with upcoming recruiting classes? Simply put, where do we go from here? No one holds the answers to those questions, but what has become clear is that this program is going absolutely nowhere under coach English. If the program needs to rebuild and go through a rocky period, then so be it at this point. Good programs are built with a strong foundation and winning culture. Coaches are not supposed to simply bring in talent; they are supposed to make players better and let them grow. The English era has been entirely absent of that. The bottom line is clear: the Friars need to bite the bullet and move on. 

by Pippa Jones ‘28 on January 22, 2026

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Sports - Friar Sports

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Providence College’s men’s ice hockey (No. 14) team’s competition with Boston College (No. 12/13) has been a passionate rivalry for a long time, as New England not only loves ice hockey, but also an intense competition. With die-hard fans on each team, these games provide for a fierce watch. Both teams are usually ranked in the top five of the Hockey East, making this game imperative for ranking and supremacy in the conference. Both schools being religious and close in proximity raises the stakes to assert dominance.

Heading into the games, Boston College averaged 3.3 goals per game with goals from Lukas Gustaffson and Dean Letourneau, who were recently given Hockey East awards, averaging 18 and 20 games played respectively this season. Letourneau is the goal leader for the team followed by James Hagens with the second-highest shooting percentage this season. Boston College’s goalie Louka Cloutier was also named to the Mike Richter Award Watch List.

At Providence College, goalie Jack Parsons ’29 was just named the Pro Ambitions Hockey East of the week with his near shutout against the University of Maine. Goalie Philip Svedbäck ’26 was also named for the Mike Richter Award Watch List. Logan Sawyer ’28 and John Mustard ’28 have the most recorded goals and shots for the Friars followed by first round draft pick Roger Mcqueen ’29, who has the most recorded points and assists. The first game away at Boston College ended with a Friars overtime win of 4–3, with the winning goal scored by Sawyer.

The game kicked off with an Eagles goal scored by former Friar Brady Berard in the first period followed by one from Providence’s Clint Levens ’27 and another from Aleksi Kivioja ’28. In the second period, Kale McCallum ’26G raised the scoring gap with the third goal. Boston responded to the Friars lead in the second period with their second goal by Teddy Stiga.

The Eagles’ Will Moore tied the game 3–3 before Sawyer brought it into overtime with a goal for Providence. Parsons had a career high of 43 saves for the Friars. Game Two at home had an electric atmosphere for the “Freezeout” game. The game started with a strong lead of three Providence goals in the first period. Mustard started with a goal followed by a powerplay goal by Boston College’s Andre Gasseau. Providence returned with a powerplay goal by Tanner Adams ’27, and concluded the period with a pass between the legs from McQueen and a finish by Jonathan Faucon ’29. In the second period, Sawyer scored the fourth goal leading to a Providence powerplay. Ryan Conny from the Eagles scored on their powerplay bringing the game to a score of 4–2. In the third period, Luka Radivojec brought the score to 4–3 and concluded the goals of the game. At a high stakes game, the Friar fans definitely brought the energy that contributed to Providence’s full weekend sweep of Boston College for the first time since 2002.

by Dorothée Durivage ’28 on January 22, 2026

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Sports Shorts

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Women’s Basketball

Our Providence College women’s basketball team’s first game of the week was at home on Sunday, Jan. 11 during which the Friars lost 85–55 to Villanova University. On Wednesday, Jan. 14, they traveled to Indianapolis for a game against Butler University where the Friars fell to the Bulldogs 62–52. For their return on the home court on Saturday, Jan. 17, the Friars won 80–77 against Creighton University. It was a good week for Providence’s Sabou Gueye ’26G who scored six points on Sunday, 22 points on Wednesday, and 22 points on Saturday. The Friars’ next game is on Tuesday, Jan. 20 away at Seton Hall University.

Men’s Basketball

The Providence College men’s basketball team played at Amica Mutual Pavillion twice this week. On Tuesday, Jan. 13, the Friars lost 88–82 to Villanova University. The Friars ended this week with a 93–88 win over Creighton University on Friday, Jan. 16. This brought the team’s record to 9–9 overall and 2–5 in the Big East. Stefan Vaaks ’29 was the only player to score over 20 points for each game with 21 points on Tuesday and 24 on Friday. Another top scorer was Jamier Jones ’29 with 24 and 18 points. On Monday, Jan. 19, the team will travel to Milwaukee for a game against Marquette University. 

Men’s Ice Hockey

This week, the Providence College men’s hockey team played against Boston College. On Friday, Jan. 16, the Friars traveled to Chestnut Hill for an overtime win of 4–3. On Saturday, Jan. 17, the Friars played in Schneider Arena and won 4–3. This completed their sweep of the Eagles for the first time since 2002. This weekend brings the Friars’ record to 13–7–2 overall and 8–3–1 in Hockey East. Logan Sawyer ’28 secured the Friars the win with his overtime goal on Friday and scored the final point on Saturday as well. The Friars’ next game is on Friday, Jan. 23 against Boston University.

Women’s Ice Hockey

The Providence College women’s hockey team traveled to Chestnut Hill on Friday, Jan. 16 for a game against Boston College. The Friars lost to the Eagles 8–2, bringing their record to 7–14–2 overall and 4–8–2 in Hockey East. The first goal was scored by Sarah Davies ’26, assisted by Audrey Knapp ’27 and Cristina Cavaliere ’26. The last goal was scored by Jessie Pellerin ’28, assisted by Peyton Blaney ’27 and Kiara Kraft ’27. This game brought Knapp and Pellerin’s points to 23 for the season. The Friars’ next game is Monday, Jan. 19 at Yale University.