Hockey fans that take in this weekend’s 16th Annual Rhode Island Reds Heritage Society’s Reunion are in for a real treat.
Not only will fans be able to rub elbows with such former stars as a former Boston Bruins’ great, center Don McKenney, and two dozen other one-time NHL and AHL standouts, they’ll be able to purchase a 30-card collector’s set that commemorates the 60th anniversary when the fabled franchise won the prestigious Calder Cup.
The 1955-56 Reds celebrated a worst-to-first season and won the AHL Championship. The Society of International Hockey Research has called the 1955-56 Reds season the “greatest minor league hockey season ever.”
A working agreement with the New York Rangers of the NHL was the key to the Reds’ amazing ‘55-‘56 turnaround. The Reds were staked with players from the NHL franchise and became a powerhouse that dominated the regular season and playoffs as well as the AHL’s individual statistics.
Among the leaders of that team – who are also featured in the card set that comes complete with a plastic case and only costs $10 – was Camille Henry, who teamed with Zellio Toppazzini and Paul Larivee on a line that dominated the AHL’s scoring stats. Just two seasons earlier Henry had been named the NHL’s top rookie, but he was sent down to Providence and responded by leading the AHL with 50 goals.
Toppazzini, who was perhaps the Reds’ most popular player of all-time, led the league in points (113) and assists (71) while adding 42 goals. Larivee had 27 goals and 53 assists for 80 points.
Also among the 21 players featured in the card set are goaltenders Johnny Bower, the league’s Most Valuable Player that season early in his Hall of Fame career; Harvey Bennett, the patriarch of one of Rhode Island’s foremost hockey families; Bruce Cline, AHL Rookie of the Year; popular forwards Jim Bartlett and Ray Ross; and team captain Andy Branigan.
The card collection also features non-players like Louis A.R. Pieri, the Reds’ late and legendary owner; GM Terry Reardon, coach Jack Crawford; trainer George Army; broadcaster George Patrick Duffy; and Tom McDonough, the team’s stick boy, who is now a founding member of the Society’s Board of Directors.
There’s also a card about the one-time famed arena where the Reds’ played their home games known as the Rhode Island Auditorium, which was located at 111 North Main St. in Providence.
People who would like to purchase a card set, which was designed by famed graphic designer and Board of Directors member Mike Bailey, may do so at Sunday’s Reunion at Goddard Memorial State Park or by emailing Society Treasurer Bill Connell at wiltomcon@yahoo.com.
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