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Reds Add 27th Player for Reunion August 5

Providence, RI (7/18/2018): Ron Garwasiuk, who became an American Hockey League scoring star in the 1970s, will join 26 other former pro players expected to attend the Rhode Island Reds Heritage Society's 18th annual reunion at Goddard State Park in Warwick on Sunday, August 5. He and his wife will be coming in from Edmonton, Alberta in Canada, traveling the furthest distance (over 2,000 miles) of any out-of-town visiting player this year.

Garwasiuk, a diminutive 5'8” left winger, became an immediate fan favorite with Reds' fans. He played for the Reds as an AHL rookie in 1970-71 and scored 31 goals, nearly winning him rookie of the year honors in the circuit. The following year, 1971-72, he netted 27 tallies while the Reds played out their last season at the old R. I. Auditorium, their only home in franchise history that began in 1926-27.

In 1972-73 the team moved to the brand-new Providence Civic Center (today known as the Dunkin Donuts Center). Despite playing in only 42 games because of injury, Garwasiuk scored 19 goals. That season his teammates included Andre Peloffy and Doug Keeler, who by a strange coincidence plan to join him at the upcoming reunion.

After a season in the World Hockey Association with the Los Angeles Sharks Garwasiuk signed on with the AHL's Rochester Americans in 1974. With the Amerks he played six seasons and scored 130 goals before retiring from hockey in 1980.

The R. I. Reds Heritage Society today also announced its 27-player roster expected to attend the August 5 reunion:

Stan Baluik, Bryan Berard, Mike Bloom, Serge Boudreault, Ross Brooks, Ray Clearwater, Bruce Cline, Pete Demers, Buzz Deschamps, Jack Ferreira, Ron Garwasiuk, John Hutton, Doug Keeler, Bobby Leduc, Willie Marshall, Don McKenney, Don Mellor, Tom Mellor, Howie Menard, Rick Middleton, Hartland Monahan, Mike Murray, Andre Peloffy, Danny Poliziani, Howie Rosenblatt, Bobby Sheehan and Chris Winnes.

For information and reservations for reunion events, contact Mal Goldenberg at 401-782-6623 or mal@rmcri.com. Deadline for reservations is July 24. Tickets will not be sold at the gate.

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