2021-22 Recipent

Tom Woodcock

Tom Woodcock, born and raised in Providence, was inducted into the Trainers Wing of the NHL Hall of Fame in 2003. A three-time All-State selection out of Hope High School, he was signed to a pro contract by the Reds. Tom skated for several teams in the EHL before turning to training under the legendary George Army.

When NHL expansion came in 1967, Tom was hired as head trainer for the St. Louis Blues, a position he held for 16 years, including three trips to the Stanley Cup finals. In 1983, Tom took over as head trainer for the Hartford Whalers. The final stop in his career took him to San Jose in 1991. Tom’s final NHL training camp was his 40th. Over that time, he served in over 3,000 NHL regular season and playoff games.

2019-20 Recipent

Rick Middleton

Rick "Nifty" Middleton played just one season with the R.I. Reds but made it a memorable one, leading the 1973-74 team in scoring and being named AHL's rookie-of-the-year. That led to 14 seasons in the National Hockey League, 12 of them with the Boston Bruins. The Bruins recently retired his number 16 in recognition of his great scoring ability which included in 493 goals, 595 assists and 1088 points in 1119 NHL regular season and playoff games.

After retiring as a player, he has led the Bruins Alumni and its many charitable endeavors and coached the U.S. to the Paralympic (Sled Hockey) Games championship.

2019-20 Recipent

Vin Cimini

Vin Cimini's early involvement with hockey came as a goalie at LaSalle Academy. He joined the Reds public relations staff while still a student at Providence College. President of Cimini & Company, he brought fresh ideas to the board of directors of the R.I. Reds Heritage Society.

He is the founding chairman of the joint venture of the Reds Heritage Society and R.I. Hockey Inc. that created the Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame and led that new organization to an impressive debut featuring a spectacular inaugural induction in 2018.

2018-19 Recipent

George Army

George Army forged his own leadership path with the Reds, as an off-the-ice treasure. In 1930s he was a minor league catcher in baseball and friendly with a pitcher named Jean Dubuc, who had a financial interest in pro hockey?s Providence Reds. Dubuc said the team was looking for a trainer and offered the job to his catcher friend.

Despite knowing nothing about the skills of training athletes - let alone hockey players - Army accepted the position and began a brand-new career as trainer of the Reds in 1934. It would turn out to be a lifetime career of 46 years, lasting until his death at age 69 in January 1969.

Army learned his craft on his own. There were no trainers' clinics in those days. So, he buried himself in medical books and carefully observed team doctors. In his self-taught, on-the-job learning process he focused on studying the physical anatomy of players and the most common injuries he would face. He even learned how to take stitches to close facial wounds, a talent he perfected by slicing orange peels at home and then stitching them back together. During game injuries, Reds players, and even players on opposing teams, were comfortable in having him stitch them -- many times preferring him over attending doctors.

George Army not only was a leader in injury diagnosis and treatment, he was also a great teacher in art of healing. Today, two of his local protege students - Tommy Woodcock and Pete Demers - are recognized proudly in the trainers' division of the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

2018-19 Recipent

Dave Creighton

Dave Creighton, after an outstanding 12-year career in the National Hockey League where served the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs, came to the Reds in a trade 1965. There, he became the primary leader of a dismal team that had not made the American Hockey League playoffs in three consecutive seasons.

A clever playmaking center, Creighton was soon named player-coach of the Reds and turned the turned the team around in 1967-68 as leader of the club's top line by centering rookie left wing Brian Perry and veteran right winger Eddie Kachur. The line scored 100 goals (42.6%) of the team's 235 goals. The Reds finished third in the standings, just one point out of second place, then went on to defeat Springfield in the first round of the playoffs before being nudged out in the semi-finals by Quebec.

Creighton's leadership achievements were deservedly acknowledged by the AHL when the circuit named him Most Valuable Player for '67-68. With that award he became only the second (and last ever) player-coach in AHL history to be named MVP. The other was Fred Glover of Cleveland. After several more successful seasons guiding the Reds as coach and general manager, he moved to Florida for retirement and golf club ownership. He passed away at age 86 in December 2017.

2017-18 Recipent

Orland Kurtenbach

Though he played for the Reds during only one campaign (1961-62), when he remarkablygarnered 64 points in 64 games, Orland Kurtenbach established himself with the New York Rangers in the midlate 1960s and then became a legend in Western Canada toward the close of his career, notably with the Vancouver Canucks.

The Heritage society honored Kurt for his off-ice leadership in harnessing necessary corporate sponsorships for the British Columbia Junior Hockey League which annually ? using those funds ? is able to graduate 100- 125 players into hockey scholarships for Division I hockey schools here in the USA.

2016-17 Recipent

Don McKenney

Don McKenney began his NHL career with the Boston Bruins in 1954, and made an immediate impact and led the team in scoring, and finished second in voting for rookie-of-the-year. Over the next seven seasons, McKenney led Boston in scoring three more times, while his clean, elegant style?and skill as a defensive forward and penalty killer?gained recognition.

2015-16 Recipent

Tom Eccleston Jr.

Thomas Eccleston Jr. had coaching and teaching credentials that were unimaginable. As a long-time coach at Burrillville High starting in the 1940s, he had the following records:

• Football (22 years) - Won 149, Lost 36, with consecutive state championships and seven undefeated teams.
• Baseball (nine years) - Won 127, Lost 36, with consecutive state championships in 1948-49-50, along with a rarity in baseball circles, an undefeated (21-0) team in 1950.
• Hockey (15 years) - 215-77-12, with nine league championships and six state titles.

Those accomplishments did not go unnoticed by Reds owner Louis A. R. Pieri, himself a former coach and teacher and a perceptive judge of both hockey and human skills, and also character. That is why sometime in the late 1950s or early '60s Pieri invited Eccleston to his office and offered him the Reds coaching job. Not just once but several times. Though flattered, Eccleston declined due to his commitment his career role as educator - history teacher, high school principal and later superintendent of schools. He did, however, offer his assistance as a consultant, and his analysis of games and players proved an invaluable resource. In 1956, he became head hockey coach at Providence College. In eight seasons he won 96 and lost 68, with only one losing campaign. His 1960 team won the Boston Arena Tourney and in 1964 his P.C. sextet won the Eastern Championship and went to the national finals. That season, Eccleston was voted NCAA Coach of the Year and also won the Clark Hodder Trophy as New England Coach of the Year. He resigned from P.C. to devote full-time to his duties as superintendent of schools in Burrillville. After retiring from Burrillville in 1972 he joined the faculty and coaching staff at The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, where his hockey teams had a 185-57-5, or a 76% winning record in 494 games. Upon retiring from the prep school life, he moved back to Burrillville where he was recruited - at age 76 - to take charge of the high school's floundering hockey program. He quickly restored the program and Burrillville's pride in hockey by winning two division titles. Unfortunately, we lost "Coach Tom" at the age of 90 on December 30, 2000.

2014-15 Recipents

Terry Reardon, Paul Larrivee and Jim Bartlett

Terry Reardon was the heart-and-soul leader of the Reds from 1947 to the early 1960s, and was architect in building the 1955-56 Reds' Calder Cup team. He served in World War II as a major in the Queen's Own Cameroon Highlanders, which landed on Sword Beach in the Normandy Invasion. Before the war, he had played with the New York Rovers and Boston Bruins and later teamed with his brother Ken on the Montreal Canadiens. He joined the Reds in 1947 and as player-coach led the team to a Calder Cup title in 1948-49.

Paul Larivee came to the Reds in 1953 and immediately took a dominant role as a clever center and great scorer. Paul's best year was in 1955-56, centering Toppazzini and Camille Henry. In retirement he was a partner in an insurance business and, for 20 years, served as color commentator on the French radio and television broadcasts of the Montreal Canadiens.

Jim Bartlett was one of the most popular of all Reds players after joining the club for the 1955-56 season. Jim became the Reds' all-time penalty leader and also was one of the leading scorers in the league. In retirement, Jim was active with a variety of groups, especially as a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of greater Tampa. He was a full-time assistant as an adviser and driver for George Steinbrenner, former owner of the New York Yankees.

2013-2014 Recipients

Wayne Muloin and Ray Clearwater

At age 24, Wayne Muloin came to the Reds via trade in 1965-66 in the midst of the Reds worst three consecutive seasons of losses, totaling 146. Clearwater, just 23, joined Muloin the next season on the rookie blueline.

A signature strength of Muloin was the long lost art of the effective hip check and a knack for team leadership. Clearwater provided timely defensive poke-checking and productive offensive rushes. Both could move the puck cleanly out of the defensive zone and each had skating skills to advance the play on their own.

Wayne and Ray, who have become close friends throughout the years, agree today that veterans Adam Keller and Moe Mantha, whom the team also acquired, were immense positive factors in their development into solid American Hockey League defensemen. The now deceased Marcel Paille, their goalie who had been bombarded throughout the long three-season losing streak, was the first to appreciate the relief the talented “two kids” and two veteran blueliners provided.

In fact, in 1967-68 the Reds made the playoffs for the first time in three seasons, led by player-coach and AHL MVP Dave Creighton and the team’s stalwart defense corps. In the Calder Cup playoffs the Reds then toppled the Springfield Kings in the first round, 3 games to 1, but eventually lost in the cup semi-finals to the Quebec Aces, 3 games to 1.

After spending four seasons together as teammates on the Reds, Muloin and Clearwater rejoined as partners when they signed on for three seasons with the fledgling World Hockey Association’s Cleveland Crusaders in 1972.

Notable teammates there were goaltender Gerry Cheevers, ex-Reds Larry Hillman, Joe Hardy, Jim Wiste, and the now deceased Jack Hanna. And though he is not an ex-Red, let’s not forget our own current R. I. resident, Rich Pumple and former Providence College star.

2012-2013 Recipient

George Ranieri

George Ranieri was a fan favorite whose blistering wrist shot from left wing earned him 111 goals in five seasons with the Rhode Island Reds. Joining the Reds for his rookie year in 1960-61, George became one of the American Hockey League's most productive young offensive players, netting 30 goals and 41 assists for 71 points in 72 games. For the next two seasons he scored 21 goals each year, helping the Reds gain playoff berths.

Well on his way to a fourth great season - already having netted 20 goals in just 54 games - George sustained a horrific head injury one fateful night in February 1964. In a collision with a foe in Springi eld, George landed with full force on the back of his head. George lay in intensive care for three weeks before surgeons were able to remove a massive blood clot from his brain. After seven weeks, he was discharged from the hospital. Always respected for his mental and physical determination, George returned to the Reds the next season (1964-65) and surprised everyone by scoring 18 goals in 61 games. But that was it for pro hockey and George Ranieri.

During the summer of 1965, at age 29, he received a lucrative offer to join the sales team at the Molson Brewing Co. in Canada. "They made me an offer I couldn't refuse and hired a guy with three holes in his head to help sell their beer," George quips with his customary sense of humor. Since retiring from hockey, George spent many years donating his time, talents and affable personality to community projects including Molson Oldtimers and the Toronto Italians Oldtimers hockey charity games. He has been part of the Dundas Oldtimers fund-raising support for minor hockey. He also coached the Dundas Merchants Intermediate A.

2011-2012 Recipients

Johnny Bower, Bruce Cline and Ed MacQueen

Though Johnny Bower played only two seasons in goal for the Reds, he led the team to two consecutive the AHL regular season championships in 1956 and '57 and to Calder Cup title in 1956. As Ranger property on loan, both seasons he was voted the AHL's Most Valuable Player and added a third the next season with Cleveland. Later, of course, he starred with the Toronto Maple Leafs and backboned them to four NHL Stanley Cup championships in the 1960s. Today Bower is an icon in Canadian sports. He is the most sought-after speaker for banquets and charity events, and his biography, "The China Wall," is still a bestseller at bookstores throughout Canada.

Bruce Cline was a mere 23 years old when he joined the Reds as a N. Y. Rangers farmhand in 1955-56. As a teammate of Bower in that Calder Cup winning season, Cline played mostly with Red Johansen at center and Jimmy Bartlett on the left and netted 27 goals to earn the AHL?s vote as "Rookie of the Year."
Still Ranger property, Cline played another four years with the Springfield Indians as a line-mate with Bill Sweeney and Bill McCreary (both former Reds). There he was able to chalk up three more Calder Cup rings (1960, 61 and 62). After that Bruce played three more years with the Hershey Bears before retiring with four championship rings.

Within a few hockey teams there emerges a versatile gem. For the Reds in the late 1950s through the mid-1960s, that hero became Eddie MacQueen, whose many talents at forward and defense, including fisticuffs, allowed his coaches to spot play him wherever and whenever needed. If there were a "7th Player Award' back then, it would have gone to MacQueen.

Few know that the Reds acquired MacQueen from the Rangers for Bower in one of hockey's strangest, most complex deals ever. MacQueen served the Reds well for eight seasons and became a local fan favorite, playing those spot positions, including point man on the Reds power-play, utilizing his sizzling shot. He finished hockey with six great seasons in Baltimore with ex-Red coach Terry Reardon as his mentor.

2010-2011 Recipients

Gil Mayer and Bob Robertson

Gil Mayer arguably was one of the greatest goaltenders in the AHL during the 1950s and 1960s. During his 14-year career in the league he won 346 regular season games and another 37 in playoff action. Forty-one (41) of his victories were shutouts. Nicknamed "The Needle" because of his 5'-6" stature, Mayer backstopped the Pittsburgh Hornets to Calder Cup championships in 1952 and 1955. Five times in a six-year span Gil captured the Hap Holmes Award, presented to the goaltender with the best goals-against average. After his 7-year tenure in Pittsburgh, Mayer played seven more, with Hershey (3) and Cleveland (2), then finishing off with two years with the Reds. He was elected five times to AHL all-star teams, three first-team nods and two second-team berths. After sharing goaltending duties with a young Eddie Giacomin in the 1962-63 season, Gil decided to put away his goal pads forever. Few know, though, that he finished that final season with a 2.91 goals-against average in 34 games played, nearly matching his 2.93 career record of 14 years.

Bob Robertson was a talented defenseman and unsung hero who played for eight different teams in his 13 seasons of pro hockey. That might label him as a journeyman blue-liner, but his five full seasons with the Reds are indelibly implanted in the minds of former local fans who remember the Reds success in the mid-1950s. Bob was among the leaders of stalwart group of defenseman who protected Johnny Bower in the nets and helped lead the Reds to an AHL regular season first-place finish and their last-ever Calder Cup title in 1955-56. Game after game, rush after rush, Bob was there to break up offensive threats by opposing teams the likes of angry Barons, hungry Bears and Bisons, and hostile Hornets and Indians. He would poke-check pucks away, body-check attackers and block blistering shots - all to get the job done.

2009-2010 Recipient

Ray Ross

Ray Ross, who joined the Reds from Cleveland in 1954-55 and played an important role in the Reds resurgence out of the AHL basement to win the Calder Cup in 1955-56. That championship year, he scored two game-winning goals in the cup finals as the Reds swept the Barons, his former team, in four straight games to claim the title. He had four goals and four assists in the playoffs that year. In Ray's eight seasons with the Roosters, the speedy forward, who had converted from center to right wing, scored 111 goals and had 125 assists for a total of 236 points. He also was named to the AHL all-star game in 1961. Since his retirement from hockey, Ray has been a model in civic involvement in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario. He has been a regular volunteer for the United Way and a financial sponsor of youth sports. As an employee of the Hamilton Spectator, Ray helped deliver Christmas gift packages to needy families. He also has been the top recruiter in Canada for new memberships to our Society, bringing in family members, friends and business associates.

2008-2009 Recipients

Marty Gateman and Tom McDonough

Marty Gateman was a dependable, stalwart defenseman for the Reds when the team moved from the old R. I. Auditorium in 1972 to the downtown Providence Civic Center, now called the Dunkin Donuts Center. As a New York Ranger farmhand, he played four seasons with the Reds, helping them reach the AHL's Calder Cup playoff finals in 1973-74. After pro hockey Gateman spent 15 years coaching youth hockey in Smithfield and high school at St. Raphael Academy, serving as a role model for hundreds of young hockey players. Today he is employed by the Coca Cola Company, a strong supporter of the Reds Heritage Society.

Tom McDonough was stick boy and locker room assistant for seven seasons for the Reds from 1951 though 1957 and was part of the celebration of the team's last Calder Cup championship in 1956. After graduating Providence College, he served in state government, retiring as associate director of the Department of Human Resources. He also coached youth hockey and basketball and was a founding director of the R. I. Reds Heritage Society back in 2000. He is also the founder and director of the 30-year-old Cranston Sports Collectors Show, largest single-day event of its kind in the country. Proceeds are donated annually to the Immaculate Conception Church in Cranston.

2007-2008 Recipient

Bob Leduc

Bob Leduc played seven full seasons (1965-72) with the Reds in the American Hockey League before moving to the World Hockey Association in 1973 with Ottawa Nationals and later the Toronto Toros. With the Reds, the strong left wing scored 135 goals and had 202 assists for 337 points. Like many ex-Reds players, Leduc has been successful as a businessman in his post-hockey years. The father of two daughters owns a large complex in North Smithfield that includes a hardware and garden store, complemented by a gift shop.

2006-2007 Recipient

Stan Baluik

Stan Baluik served the Reds for five seasons, starting in 1959-60 when he was named the AHL's Rookie of the Year. For three seasons he centered the team's famous B-line and consistently set up his high scoring wingers, Jimmy Bartlett and Pierre Brilliant. He played 359 regular season and playoff games, scored 130 goals and added 257 assists for 387 points. Clearly one of the top players of his time, Baluik surprised the club and took another path in 1964 and accepted an offer to become head golf professional at the new Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln. He has been there ever since. Stan's personal accomplishments as a golfer have been numerous. More importantly, his work off the course has been an inspiration to young golfers throughout New England. Nearly a dozen of his assistants are now head golf pros, carrying forth his dedicated work ethic and love of the game. He has also mentored hundreds of young high school and college golfers.

2005-2006 Recipients

Ross Brooks and Serge Boudreault

Ross Brooks, a goaltender, played parts of nine seasons before being acquired by the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins. With the Bruins' AHL farm team, the Boston Braves, he won the "Hap" Holmes Award in 1971-72 as the goaltender with the lowest goals against average (2.38) in the AHL. Called up by the Bruins in 1972-73, he distinguished himself by winning 14 consecutive goaltending starts the next season, an NHL record at that time. Brooks, a Lincoln resident, is now manager of Schneider Arena at Providence College. He once coached the Lincoln High School hockey team for 8 years during the late 1970s and early 80s. He has also worked tirelessly at raising college scholarship funds for needy senior high school hockey players. Those scholarships, totaling nearly 100, have been provided from proceeds generated by the annual Chris Brooks Memorial hockey and golf tournaments, named in memory of his late son.

Serge Boudreault, standing only 5-foot, 6 inches tall, was a fast-skating, gritty forward who could score goals and set up line mates. During parts of six seasons with Providence, he also stood out as an outstanding defensive, back checking forward and a skillful penalty killer. At the end of his careers, Boudreault, like many other ex-Red players, decided to make his year-round home  in Rhode Island. Since then, he has made significant contributions to the larger community, especially in the promotion and support of local youth hockey. Boudreault, who lives in South Kingstown, has been a scout for the NHL Philadelphia Flyers for seven years. Before that he was hockey coach at Cumberland High School for 12 seasons, also during the 70s and 80s. Since retiring from pro hockey, Boudreault has dedicated much of his free time towards encouraging and instructing young hockey players in the development of the individual skills necessary to play competitive hockey.

 (2004-2005 Recipients

George Sage, Tom Army and Louis A.R. Pieri

George Sage, a resident of Barrington, was owner of the Reds from 1969 through 1976. At the same time, as president of Bonanza Bus Lines, he was a powerful force in the development of downtown Providence by supporting the construction of the Providence Civic Center. In doing so he committed the Reds to move from the old, deteriorating R. I. Auditorium, built in 1926, to the sparkling, brand new facility in 1972. Aside from hockey, Sage is well known for his many philanthropic contributions to the community, including a leadership role in creating a performing arts facility at St. Andrews School in his hometown. He is also a major contributor to the Heritage Harbor Museum planned for Providence, where he supports the R.I. Reds Heritage Society's effort to build a lasting exhibit to restore and preserve the team's 51-year history (1926-1977).

Tom Army joined the Reds' publicity office in the mid-1950s, after starring as a high-scoring forward at Providence College where he captained the team in 1952-53. He served the Reds in several front office public relations capacities, including color analyst for the team's radio broadcasts, backing up the legendary play-by-play announcer George Patrick Duffy. Army has been deeply dedicated to youth hockey for more than three decades as a coach, officer and board director. He also was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the R.I. Reds Heritage Society four years ago and now serves as its founding vice president. The group has grown to 510 members from throughout the United States and Canada. Army lives in East Providence.

Louis A. R. Pieri, was the dynamic, colorful owner of the Reds from the late 1930s until his death in 1967. A graduate of Brown University, he was a high school teacher who turned his interests to entrepreneurial endeavors in the 1930s. Pieri first started as general manager of the old R.I. Auditorium and worked hard to eventually become owner of both the building and the Reds. During his tenure the Reds won four Calder Cups and he was lauded not only by his fellow owners, but also by his players, with whom he built many lifelong friendships. Pieri was also a silent, but generous contributor to the community. He was an interested supporter of local youth, high school and college hockey. He also gave generously to Dean College in Franklin, MA, from which he graduated when it was a junior college in 1916. His donations to athletics are recognized to this day by having his name attached to one of the college's major athletic complexes, the Louis A. R. Pieri Gymnasium.

2003-2004 Recipients

Harvey Bennett and Buster Clegg

Harvey Bennett joined the Reds from the NHL Boston Bruins system in 1947-48 season and helped lead the team to the AHL's Eastern Division championship that year. A year later, his goaltending was a major factor in the Reds Eastern Division and Calder Cup championships. His goals-against average that season was a sparkling 3.16. With Bennett in goal, the Reds also made the playoffs in 1949-50 and 1951-52, and again won the Calder Cup in 1955-56 as his long career in goal was winding down. After his career with the Reds, Bennett worked extensively in youth hockey in Rhode Island, helping to develop a new generation of young players. Five of those players were his sons, all of whom went on to play professional hockey with four making it to the NHL. Bennett resides in Warwick, R.I. 

Buster Clegg played high school hockey at Burrillville and captained the University of New Hampshire team in 1958-59. He was named general manager of the Reds in 1966-67 following several front-office assignments after joining the Reds for the 1959-60 season. Since his service with the Reds, Clegg has been deeply involved with youth hockey as a coach and as a member of several boards of directors for more than 30 years. Today he enjoys watching his youth hockey "grand kids" play. In 2000 he was the catalyst in the formation of the R.I. Reds Heritage Society, for which he continues to serve as its founding president. He resides in Barrington, R.I.

2002-2003 Recipients

Eddie Ellsworth and Ferny Flaman

Eddie Ellsworth was business manager and comptroller of the Reds for 31 years under two ownerships, the Louis A. R. Pieri family and George Sage. While at the old R. I. Auditorium and later at the Providence Civic Center, Eddie was involved in virtually every aspect of arena events. Besides hockey, he also served in business management for basketball, boxing, stage shows, ice shows and circuses. He remains extremely active in community service as treasurer of the Masonic St. John's Lodge in Providence, which provides funds to qualified, needy organizations and individuals. Ellsworth is a resident of Barrington, Rhode Island.

Ferny Flaman spent parts of 17 seasons with Boston and Toronto in the National Hockey League and is a member of its Hall of Fame. He served five years with the Reds in the 1960s, first as player-coach, then as general manager. During his tenure with the Reds as player-coach he led them to three successive Calder Cup playoff oppositions, one being a first-place finish in the AHL's Eastern Division of 1962-63. A resident of Westwood, Massachusetts, Flaman later was head coach of Northeastern University's varsity hockey team for 19 years from 1970-71 through 1988-89. During those years he counseled many a player with fatherly advise on non-hockey, social and academic personal matters.

2001-2002 Recipients

George Patrick Duffy and Chuck Scherza

George Patrick Duffy became the Reds' team publicist in 1945-46 after serving in the U. S. Coast Guard during World War II. Over the next twenty-five years he became the popular"Voice of the R. I. Reds" on radio. Old-time fans still recall his memorable, protracted description of each and every Reds goal, "He scorrrrrrrrrrres!" While at the old R. I. Auditorium, George Patrick was a jack-of-all-trades. Besides hockey, he also served as publicist for the building and all its events, including basketball, boxing, stage shows, ice shows and circuses.  He continues to be an active volunteer in sports. In winter he coaches boys' varsity high school basketball and in summer different levels of youth baseball where he recently recorded his 600th career victory.

Chuck Scherza was among the most durable players ever to wear a Reds uniform. He played in 649 games, second by only one to Zellio Toppazzini, and appeared in 60 or more games in each of his 10 seasons. Overall, in regular season play, he scored 139 goals, 297 assists for 436 points -- fourth highest in team history. He received the Tops Award in 2001. Chuck's hockey career ended tragically in 1958-59 when as player-coach of the North Bay Trappers he was accidentally hit by a stick in his left eye, a blow that cost him the eye's vision. Ironically, he later became a respected linesman for AHL games in Providence. In fact, league officials praised him as one of the most accurate and dependable in the circuit. Youth, high school and college refereeing came next. "He was always in charge and respected by the young players" says Russ McGuirl, a veteran referee of 17 years who often partnered with Scherza. "If play got too rough, he could be very stern, or at other times very fatherly. Whatever it took, things never got out of control and the kids learned important values of sportsmanship from Chuck."