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The 1970s

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The early 1970s were not kind to minor league hockey. Expansion of the National Hockey League and the emergence of the World Hockey Association decimated the rosters of most American Hockey League teams.

Loyal fans, for years accustomed to following teams stocked with fine veteran players and top-notch young prospects, watched as the league evolved strictly into a developmental tool for the NHL. Rosters were now filled mostly with no-name rookies who were constantly being shuffled between parent NHL clubs and their AHL affiliates. And so this happened with our Rhode Island Reds.

Gone were the familiar faces of veteran players who gained community recognition by serving long terms with the Reds. Instead, faceless youngsters, who eventually either made it to the big time or were gone from hockey after two or three trial years, replaced longtime local favorites. 

Tied in with the expansion California Seals, the Reds finished first in the AHL's Eastern Division in 1970-71 despite a 28-31-13 record. They made a gallant playoff drive, only to be defeated by Springfield in the Calder Cup finals, 4 games to none.

In 1972-73 the Reds moved out of the old R. I. Auditorium to the sparkling new 11,000-seat facility in downtown Providence. Despite the new venue and a promising working agreement with the New York Rangers, fans in the 1970s never really embraced the Civic Center and the new brand of AHL hockey. 

Nevertheless, the Reds enjoyed several successful seasons as farm team for the Rangers. Their second year at the Civic Center produced a second place finish in the AHL's Eastern Division and a serious push for the Calder Cup. Regrettably, they were defeated the finals by Hershey, 4 games to one. It was the Reds last appearance in the Calder Cup finals.

However, a shining new star in hockey, right-winger Rick Middleton, was a by-product of that campaign. Only 20 then, he dazzled the league with his nifty puck handling and finished seventh in scoring with 36 goals, 48 assists and 84 points. 

Middleton's accomplishments earned him first-team All Star recognition, and "rookie-of-the-year" honors for 1973-74. "Nifty," as he was later nicknamed, went on to a brilliant career in the NHL with the Rangers and Boston Bruins --- a career that is certain to land him someday into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

In 1974-75 the Reds finished first in the Northern Division with an outstanding record of 43-21-12. But they were quickly dispensed by Springfield in the first round of Calder Cup play, 4 games to two.

When the working agreement with the Rangers terminated in 1975, it sounded the death knoll for the Reds franchise. Operating once again as an independent team, the team finished a dismal last in 1976-77, their final season. 

Next: Epilogue >>


While the Reds' final years were not kind to the team or to loyal fans, one highlight was the play of Rick Middleton, a "rookie-of-the-year" who went on to be come a star with the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers .


The '70s version of the Reds logo.

R. I. Reds Heritage Society
PO Box 504 Lincoln, RI 02895
Telephone: 401-230-5905
email: RIREDS15@gmail.com