The R. I. Reds Heritage Society was formed early in 2000 and one of its first orders of business in the new millennium was to select the team’s “Player of the 20th Century.” To do so the group’s founders waded through records of more than 600 players who proudly wore the uniform during the team’s 51-year history.

In the end, the choice was not difficult. On Saturday night, April 1, 2000, the society honored Zellio “Topper” Toppazzini as Reds’ “Player of the Century” in ceremonies at the Providence Civic Center prior to a Providence Bruins AHL game. The richly deserved honor recognized Topper as the greatest Red of them all.

Topper, who passed away in 2001 at age 71, is the all-time leading scorer in Reds history. During his 12 years sporting the uniform, he amassed 279 goals, 448 assists and 727 points in 650 regular season games, and another 16-28-44 in playoff action. All are team records.

In 1955-56 the line of Topper, Paul Larivee and Camille Henry spearheaded the Reds to both regular season and Calder Cup championships. Topper earned career highs of 42 goals, 71 assists and 113 points in leading the AHL in scoring and in the playoffs he also added 7-13-20. Needless to say, he was selected to the AHL’s first-team all-star squad. Later, in the early 1960s, the popular right-winger captained the club.

Topper came to a beleaguered Reds team in January 1952. He joined defenseman Pat Egan and forward Jean Paul Denis from the New York Rangers in a trade for forward Jack Stoddard. The deal immediately energized the Reds who came on strong the rest of the season, only to lose in the Calder Cup finals to Pittsburgh, 4 games to 2.

But the best was yet to come. For 11 more seasons Topper was the man. Who can ever forget #15 with his long, graceful strides that seemed to produce effortless acceleration…and, of course, his rink-length rushes and never-fail breakaways.

Topper was brought up in Copper Cliff, Ontario, but decided to make Rhode Island his home. He and his lovely wife Shirley raised 5 children and twelve grand children. After the Reds, Topper coached hockey at Providence College and was a highly respected referee for youth and high school hockey in Rhode Island. He was also a successful sales representative for a local automotive parts company.

In Topper's memory, the Rhode Island Reds Heritage Society has established the Tops Award. To be considered, an individual must have been with the club for at least five years (10% of the Reds’ 51 years); must have achieved outstanding performance in his team association; must have shown himself as a leader; and must have established himself as a good-will ambassador for the Reds through involvement in local residency and outstanding service to the community.

Topper excelled in all those categories and truly deserves recognition as the greatest player ever to wear the proud colors of the team -- red, white and black.

Zellio Toppazzini