Providence, RI (July 8, 2007): Eddie Shack, one of the most colorful hockey players of his era, will return to Providence for the first time in nearly 50 years to attend the Rhode Island Reds Heritage Society’s 7th annual reunion at Goddard State Park in Warwick on Sunday, August 5.

In 1957-58 and just 20 years old, Shack broke into pro hockey with the Reds to start a career that led him through 17 seasons in the National Hockey League. As a New York Ranger rookie in Providence that year, he scored 16 goals and had 18 assists in only 35 games before suffering a season-ending broken leg.

Despite the setback, Shack moved on quickly to play for the Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins Los Angeles Kings, Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins. In 17 NHL campaigns he scored 245 goals and had 233 assists, and amassed 1,590 penalty minutes.

It was during his eight seasons with the Maple Leafs that Shack became an icon in Toronto and throughout Canada. An intimidating 6-foot-one and 195 pounds (huge for players at that time), he won over the fans with his powerful, locomotive skating style, timely goal scoring and colorful, agitating antics. So popular did he become that in 1966 a novelty song called “Clear The Track, Here Comes Shack” was written in his honor and reached #1 on the Canadian pop charts to remain there for nearly three months.

Shack is coming back to Rhode Island at the behest of his former teammate in Toronto, goaltender Johnny Bower, with whom he shared four NHL Stanley Cup titles, including the Maple Leafs’ last ever in 1967.

“When Johnny Bower calls, everyone in hockey in Canada listens,” Shack said. “He told me about the great time he had at last year’s reunion event and that I should jump aboard and enjoy the weekend. Now, I can’t wait to see again some of my old friends – both players and fans.”

Bower and some of his old Reds’ teammates - Bob Robertson, Aldo Guidolin and Ray Ross - have organized “The Bower Bus” to transport former Reds and fans from Toronto to the society’s reunion. The group reports they already have 37 passengers ready to travel.

This year’s reunion will honor nine ex-Reds who have been inducted either into the Hockey Hall of fame in Toronto or the newly established American Hockey League Hall of Fame. Representing the former will be Bower, Ferny Flaman, Eddie Giacomin, Milt Schmidt and Allan Stanley, plus athletic trainers Peter Demers and Tommy Woodcock. AHL shrine players are Willie Marshall and Gil Mayer.

As in the past, the Reds’ reunion August 5 at Goddard Park’s carousel building expects to draw a capacity crowd of three-hundred. Both members and non-members of the society are welcome to attend the festivities that will include an all-you-can-eat cookout, music from the 50s and 60s, and ceremonies honoring players in attendance.

Cost for the event is $30 per adult, $15 for children ages 6-12, and no charge for kids under six. Deadline for reservations is set at July 14.

Further information about reservations and sponsorship opportunities will be available by calling the society’s office at 401-247-2666.

<< Back to News Index