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Heritage Society Announces Roster and Highlights for August 7 Reunion

Providence, RI (7/13/2016): The R. I. Reds Heritage Society has announced its initial roster of former pro players and executives expected to attend the group’s 16th annual reunion at Goddard State Park in Warwick on Sunday, Aug. 7, starting at noon.

Twenty former pro stars will be joined by six new stars be introduced on stage during presentations.

Don McKenney, a great center for the Boston Bruins, heads the group of veterans and will receive the society’s most coveted honor, the 2017 Tops Award, named in the memory of the late Zellio Toppazzini, Reds “Player of the Century.” He will be followed by this year’s R. I. Native-Born Hockey achievement winner, Jack Ferreira, who has served 34 years as an executive in the NHL.

Bruce Cline, a favorite of fans since being named AHL Rookie of the Year in 1955-56 - the Reds last Calder Cup winning team – will return again this year, but now as a recent inductee into the AHL Hall of Fame class of 2017.

Other pros expected to attend are Howie Menard, Yves Locas, Hartland Monahan, Stan Baluik, Bob Leduc, Pete Demers, Ross Brooks, Serge Boudreault, Buzz Deschamps, Tom and Don Mellor, Mike Bloom, Marty Gateman, Bill Bennett, Ray Clearwater, Eno Kraft and John Hutton.

In an exciting new twist to the customary reunion program, joining these pros on stage will be the Reds’ “Unsung Heroes” of high school hockey for 2016.

Commemorative plaques will be presented to the “Unsung Heroes” in both men’s and women’s schoolboy/girl hockey divisions to the outstanding forward, defenseman, and goalie. The honorees were selected from a list of nominees submitted by the Interscholastic League coaches and chosen by a selection committee comprised of representatives of the coaches association, the officials association, and the Rhode Island Reds Heritage Society.

Recipients will be:

  • Gil Mayer Award (goalies): Colin Clegg (Barrington) and Victoria Hartley (LaSalle Academy)
  • Ferny Flagman Award (defenseman): David Gaugin (Smithfield) and Brynn Costa (East Providence)
  • Chuck Scherzo Award (forwards): Zachery Lubrizzi (St. Raphael/PS Co-op) and Brittney Bidwell (Cranston East/East Greenwich Co-op)

In its deliberations the committee focused on those players who best demonstrate the concept of “student athlete.” As such, the committee was not looking for the all-stars or the super stars but rather to those individuals who are the good well-rounded teammates and contributors as demonstrated by academics, sportsmanship, team play and support, school/community support, hardship and obstacles overcome, perseverance, leadership, hockey ability, and other intangible qualities.

In essence, this different approach is based on love and dedication to the game of hockey while still recognizing the needed values to be balanced in order to be a student and an athlete. The awards are named after three of the R. I. Reds all-time greats: Chuck Scherza, forward; Ferny Flaman, defenseman; and Gil Mayer, goalie.

The public is invited to attend the outdoor barbecue and award presentations. Limited seating is still available at just $35 per person. Absolute deadline is July 22.

For reservations and/or further information please contact Mal Goldenberg at 401-782-6623 or e-mail him: mal@rmcri.com.

For further information call 401-230-5905 or e-mail RIREDS15@gmail.com.

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