Providence, RI (March 15, 2007): An enthusiastic crowd of nearly 100 adults and kids warmly greeted guest speaker Ross Brooks at the R. I. Reds Heritage Society's 4th Annual "Lunch & Crunch" event at Lancelotta's restaurant in North Providence on  Sunday, March 11.

Brooks, the popular former goaltender of the Reds and later the NHL's Boston Bruins, sprinkled his talk with humorous tales of his hockey ups and downs, then combined it with a serious message that sports are not everything, and that folks should recognize the more important aspects of life --- establishing kind and loving relationships.

"By far, Ross' message was the most motivating that we've heard at this event," said Buster Clegg, president of the Society. "He hit a home run with every person in the audience as he voiced his personal feelings about relationships with friends and loved ones."

The ex-Reds goaltender told of his good fortune of hooking on with the NHL's Bruins at age 35 after leaving the Reds in 1971. He also spoke of his own personal tragedy in life ---the loss of his young son Chris --- and how that sad day in his life has,  somehow and ironically, made him a better person.

"If you have kids playing a sport or bringing home a report card, take time to pat them on the back for their successes," he advised. "Try not to criticize. Be positive and supportive, not negative." He also said, "Cherish your friendships. Good friends are so important in everyone's life."

After consuming a delicious all-you-can-eat lunch at the restaurant, folks were treated to an autograph session as Brooks took time to sign pictures of himself in a 1970 Reds' uniform.

From there the L & C members departed for the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, where they soon enjoyed a fast-skating, hard-hitting American Hockey League game between the hometown P-Bruins against the Lowell Devils. 

Though the locals lost, 5-2, our group had a great time watching the spirited group of young players on both teams --- all aspiring to make the NHL shortly. The P-Bruins, of course, are the top farm team of the Boston Bruins, and Lowell is the development club for the New Jersey Devils.

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Ross Brooks talks about the importance of relationships.

The P-Bruins and the Lowell Devils demonstrate the intensity of their relationship.