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Providence, RI (February 9, 2007): The scene was the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, home of the P-Bruins, who February 9 faced one of their arch rivals, the Worcester Sharks, in an American Hockey League contest. Strangely, as it turned out, the hockey game, won 5-4 in overtime by our Bruins, somehow seemed completely overshadowed by he magic of activities that transported hockey fans in attendance – old and new -- “back to the past.” Folks who attended (and there were nearly 9,000) saw the Bruins honor our Reds in a pre-game ceremony that unveiled a banner that heralded the Reds seven seasons of championship accomplishments: AHL Calder Cups (4) and Can-Am Fontaine Cups (3). There were goose bumps, lumps in the throat and moisture in the eyes of many (admitted by both guys and gals) when the building’s organ bellowed the old Reds entrance song, “Roll the Barrel,” as the P-Bruins stormed the ice in authentic throw-back Reds uniforms from the late 1960s. It was just like old times at the 5,300-seat R. I. Auditorium, located at 1111 North Main Street, home of the Reds from 1926-1972. In moving pre-game ceremonies, former Reds stars were introduced under spotlights, before the Reds banner -- now a permanent fixture in the building -- was unveiled. Representing our old franchise were former Reds stars and Hockey Hall of Fame members Milt Schmidt and Ferny Flaman. Joining them was AHL Hall of Fame inductee Gil Mayer, along with Marty Gateman, Bobby Leduc, Serge Boudreault, Dan Poliziani and local hockey icon Chuck Scherza, “Mr. Hockey RI.” Society representatives on ice included Buster Clegg, president, Tom Army, vice-president, and George Patrick Duffy, director. Joining them were former Reds owner Louis A. Pieri and Jeff Fear, CEO of the P-Bruins. Schmidt, now 89, played his first pro games here with the Reds as an 18-year old on loan from the Boston Bruins back in 1936-37. “This has brought back wonderful memories,” he said. “It was 71 years ago and look at the fans that have turned out here tonight. “This is an evening I’ll never forget. The Reds were my stepping stone to the National Hockey League and still remain very deep in my heart.” After a brilliant career as an all-star center with the Boston Bruins, Schmidt was inducted into the exclusive Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961. Flaman, Reds player-coach in the early 1960s and now a scout for the New Jersey Devils, was equally moved. “It’s great that the Reds finally have been recognized for being the origin of hockey here in Rhode Island. I remember well the old arena and how the building was always sold out every Sunday night. As you can see, Rhode Island is still a great hockey town.” An all-star defenseman with the Boston Bruins, Flaman entered the Hockey Hall of fame in 1990. Reds players took over a book-signing table and spent over two periods inking their name to a new book, “Hockey in Providence, written by hockey historian Jim Mancuso, who traveled in from Utica, NY. “The line of autograph seekers was unbelievable, said Mancuso. There must have been five-hundred lined up. Many missed a lot of the game. But you know, just like the players, they never complained.” AHL president Dave Andrews also attended “Reds Night” and said, “Anytime you have an opportunity to pay your respects to the rich history of hockey, and the players who have served it so well, it is something very important that we should honor and preserve. That’s what the R. I. Reds Heritage Society is doing.” Oh, yes. There was an AHL hockey game that evening. Garbed in replica Reds uniforms from the late 1960s, the P-Bruins pulled it out over Worcester, 5-4, in overtime. The winning goal was scored when #9 Ben Walter scored at 2:09 in sudden death. Only regret: Too bad it couldn’t have been #15, Zellio Toppazzini. |
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