An amazing athlete, Leo was a 3-sports star – baseball, football and of course, hockey. A tireless player whose work ethic was second to none. longtime friend, Ralph DiVito, said that it is hard to summarize the career of Leo Dupere because his accomplishments were so extensive. He just excelled at any sport he played, but hockey was his favorite. Longtime friend Bob Bastien remembers the early days skating at Clark’s Pond and for us townies, “The Flats”, off Market Street.
In a time when freshmen were not allowed to play varsity sports, Leo went on to receive 8 out of a possible 9 letters. He scored 60 goals and assisted on 38 others for 98 points in 3 years!
He was the captain of the 1958 Hockey team. He was named All-Scholastic in 1958 and is the all-time leading scorer in the North Shore League, highlighted by a 5 goal game against Lynn Classical. This team was the 1st Amesbury team to qualify for the State Tourney.
In Baseball he was also a Captain in 1958 being named to the All-Star team and was the team’s leading hitter.
Legendary Coach Albie Roy was a big impact on Leo as a dedicated “old time hockey coach”.
Leo went on to Northeastern University where he was the captain his senior year and had his number retired, scoring 132 points. He was inducted into the Northeastern Hall of Fame in 1984.
He had a 3-year stint with the Eastern Olympics team. He also played with the national team.
Leo came back to Amesbury to start a legendary coaching career. A 17-year career in Amesbury with League titles in the Twin State League in 1970 and 71. His success continued in the Cape Ann League in 1973 and 81. His career coaching record in Amesbury totaled 192-106-36.
Former Standout Steve Klein remembers that as a junior he was All-League and second team All-Scholastic and knowing that if he didn’t work just as hard or more his senior year, he would sit. “Coach never played favorites.” Klein also points out how Dupere was a father figure for many. “Other than my Dad, nobody has had a bigger influence on me than Coach.”
His teams had 15 consecutive winning seasons and he coached the only Amesbury team to play in the Boston garden in 1971.
In March of 1990, Leo was elected into the Massachusetts State Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
In August of this year the Amesbury School Committee voted to retire his number”13” in hockey. Tonight, he is fittingly inducted in the 1st AHS Athletic Hall of Fame class. He has come full circle. “Congratulations Coach. Welcome back home.”
Congratulations to inductee Coach and Athlete Leo Dupere, Class of 1958.
