George Ranieri (2011-2012 Recipient)

George Ranieri was a fan favorite whose blistering wrist shot from left wing earned him 111 goals in fi ve 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 horrifi c head injury one fateful night in February 1964. In a collision with a foe in Springfi 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.

Gil Mayer (2010-2011 Recipient)

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 (2010-2011 Recipient)

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.

Ray Ross (2009-2010 Recipient)

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.

Marty Gateman (2008-2009 Recipient)

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 (2008-2009 Recipient)

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.

Bob Leduc (2007-2008 Recipient)

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.

Stan Baluik (2006-2007 Recipient)

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.

Ross Brooks (2005-2006 Recipient)

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 (2005-2006 Recipient)

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.

George Sage (2004-2005 Recipient)

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 (2004-2005 Recipient)

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 (2004-2005 Recipient)

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.

Harvey Bennett (2003-2004 Recipient)

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 (2003-2004 Recipient)

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.

Eddie Ellsworth (2002-2003 Recipient)

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 (2002-2003 Recipient)

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.

George Patrick Duffy (2001-2002 Recipient)

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 (2001-2002 Recipient)

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."