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Former Hockey Pros to Sign Autographs at “R.I. Reds Night” at the Pawsox on June 25

Providence, RI (6/14/2012): Six former pro hockey stars, led Bobby Leduc, will be featured in opening ceremonies at the 4th annual R.I. Reds Night at the PawSox on June 25. Joining Leduc will be ex-Boston Bruins stars Gary Doak and Ross Brooks, plus former Reds Stan Baluik, Serge Boudreault and Ray Clearwater

One of the best and most popular R.I. Reds players of the late 1960s and early ‘70s, Leduc, who scored 135 goals during eight seasons with the old American Hockey League team in Providence, will toss the ceremonial first pitch at the event.

Leduc and his group of former ice mates will be signing autographs during the game at the stadium’s Cox Communications Center. Also, several lucky fans will be awarded commemorative ornaments which were produced for the Society to commemorate the 1955-56 Reds Calder Cup championship team.

The event is sponsored by the 12-year-old R.I. Reds Heritage Society and the group’s founding president, Buster Clegg, said it is open to both members and non-members. The evening features a pre-game barbeque under tents at McCoy Stadium at 5 PM and a 7:05 game between the Pawtucket Reds Sox and the Louisville Bats, International League Class-AAA rivals.

A native of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, Leduc is one of the many former Reds who made their homes in Rhode Island after they retired from hockey. He currently resides in Burrillville and operates a large hardware and garden complex in North Smithfield.

Leduc led his Reds team with 32 goals during the 1969-70 season, finishing in a tie for seventh place among the AHL’s top goal scorers. That scoring touch was exhibited early in the career of the crafty forward who once scored 50 goals for Sudbury in Canada’s tough Junior A competition.

He moved to new World Hockey Association in 1972 and played three seasons for Ottawa and Toronto, also coaching the latter team in his final season there. Four years ago, the R.I. Reds Heritage Society honored Leduc with its annual Tops Award, in recognition of both his outstanding contributions to the old Reds franchise and his public service activities in the larger community.

Tickets for the barbecue and game event are $35 and available by calling 401-247-2666 or by sending ticket requests and payment (prior to the June 18 deadline) to: R.I. Reds Heritage Society, Reds Night at the PawSox, P.O. Box 167, Barrington, RI 02806.

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