AUGUST 5, 2006 – GODDARD STATE PARK
The 6th Reunion highlighted the 50th Anniversary of the Reds last Calder Cup championship in 1955-56.
It was also the year that the RI Reds Heritage Society unveiled the “Host A Hockey Hero” program. Out-of-state players were complementary guests for the weekend at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Warwick. The program was board member Dick Bartlett’s idea and President Buster Clegg got things off the ground leading to very generous sponsorships and donations from many businesses and Reds fans.
A “new Meet and Greet” reception was added thjs year and held at the hotel on Friday night for the weary travelers. The players autographed copies of the original poster created to commemorate the 55-56 Calder Cup team.
On Saturday afternoon a chartered bus took the players and their families to Jim and JJ Bennett’s home in Narragansett, RI. It was a blue line shot from the Atlantic Ocean. Jim is the youngest of five sons of Reds HOFer, Harvey Bennett. The reception and great New England seafood, was generously “on the Bennett’s”. What a party it was!
On Sunday morning folks woke up to see The Providence Journal with a special section highlighting the anniversary of the Reds winning the Calder Cup. Also included was a recap of the Reds 51-year history.
The afternoon was spent under the carousel at beautiful Goddard Park. First, the players marched to the stage to the official Reds anthem, “Roll out the Barrel”. Commemorative plaques were given to players or their representatives. Players from the Calder Cup team in attendance included Johnny Bower, Ray Ross, Jim Bartlett, Bob Robertson, Bones Raleigh, Aldo Guidolin, Bruce Cline and trainer, Tom Woodcock. Family members representing deceased Calder Cup Champions included Shirley Toppazzini, Doreen McAvoy, Tom Army, Denise Larivee, Harvey Bennett, Jr., Lance Reardon and Loui Pieri, Jr. It was also the first reunion for defenseman Ian Anderson.
This year’s Tops Award recipient was Stan Baluik, center of the famous “B line”. Service Awards were presented to Reds employees Bart and Jack McElroy and Bob Paquette, Sr.
Gallery
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Hall of Fame trainer, Tommy Woodcock, was all smiles
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Goaltending Legends - Johnny Bower & Gil Mayer
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"Did you know?" - Bob Robertson confides in Jimmy Bartlett
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It was a full house at the historic Goddard Park Carousel
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Ray and the Ross family pose with the Calder Cup
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Johnny autographs the Reds 1956 commemorative poster
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Our gracious reunion hosts - JJ & Jim Bennett
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Players and guests enjoy the buffet on the Bennett's lawn
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The Ranieri's raised a few 'Gansetts on Narragansett Bay