Providence, RI (June 25, 2006): The Rhode Island Reds Heritage Society has received commitments from six more members of the 1955-56 AHL Calder Cup team to attend the organization’s 6th annual reunion the weekend of August 5-6. 

Joining to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Reds’ last Calder Cup championship are forwards Jimmy Bartlett, Bruce Cline, Don “Bones” Raleigh and Ray Ross. Defensemen Aldo Guidolin and Bob Robertson also have made reservations for the event at Goddard State Park in Warwick on Sunday, August 6. 

The six, all from different parts of Canada, will travel here to join Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Johnny Bower, who previously signed on to attend. It was Bower who led Reds to the title and was chosen the AHL’s most valuable player that memorable season of 1955-56. 

Bartlett, a left wing, was among the most colorful players of his era. Never to back down from any type of confrontation, he battled opponents on the ice and scored 28 goals as a rookie in ’55-56. Bartlett also played later on the Reds’ famous B-line of the 1960s with Stan Baluik and Pierre Brillant.

Another freshman player that title year was Cline, an elusive, diminutive right wing whose record of 27 goals, 30 assists and 57 points earned him the league’s prestigious rookie-of-the-year honors.

The veteran Raleigh, a slick playmaking center, was sent down in mid-season by the N. Y. Rangers and in 13 games recorded 4 goals and an amazing 20 assists for 24 points.

Ross, another veteran, had the distinction and pleasure of scoring two game-winning goals in the cup finals as the Reds completed an unlikely four-game sweep of the Cleveland Barons, for whom he had played a few seasons before.

As defensemen, both Guidolin and Robertson held important positions in protecting Bower, their goaltender, as the Reds chalked up the second lowest goals-against average in the six-team circuit during the regular season and the best during the playoffs.

The R. I. Reds Heritage Society also announced this week that the actual Calder Cup trophy will be loaned to the organization by the AHL and will be on display at the reunion on August 6. 

Also invited to participate in the weekend festivities are family members of the late Zellio Toppazzini, team captain Andy Branigan, Paul Larivee, George McAvoy, owner Louis A. R. Pieri, general manager Terry Reardon, coach Johnny Crawford and trainer George Army.

Society members and non-members are invited to attend. Price for the all-you-can-eat event is $25 for adult, $10 for children ages 6-12, and children under age 6 are free. Last year’s event drew 273 persons. The deadline for reservations is July 15.

<< Back to News Index

The 1955-56 Reds Calder Cup team.