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Reds Team of 1955-56 Ranked Number One by Hockey Gurus

Providence, RI (7/8/2011): The Society for International Hockey Research (SIHR) has judged that the "greatest minor-league season of all-time” was produced by the 1955-56 Rhode Island Reds, who finished first American Hockey League regular season and became Calder Cup champions

SIHR, consisting of nearly 500 worldwide hockey researchers and historians, published the award in its recent Hockey Research Journal, stating: “Led by Camille Henry’s 50 goals and Zellio Toppazzini’s 113 points (both tops in the AHL) the Reds went from worst (1954-55) to first in 1955-56.” The ranking included other minor teams in three separate minor league circuits.

Six members of that honored team will be present when the R. I. Reds Heritage Society holds its 11th Annual Reunion Weekend, August 5-7. They will include Johnny Bower, three-time consecutive AHL Most Valuable Player winner and a four-time Stanley Cup winner with the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs. Joining Bower will be defenseman Bob Robertson and forwards Ray Ross, Ron Attwell, Bruce Cline and Bill McCreary. The first four are traveling from Toronto with 40 others in what they proudly call “The Johnny Bower Bus.”

About thirty-five former Reds and other hockey pros are expected to attend the society’s weekend activities. Scheduled is a Saturday (Aug. 6) “Reds’ Night at the PawSox” starting at 4 PM that includes a baseball barbecue, hockey player introductions and, of course, the PawSox vs. the Buffalo Bisons.

Sunday (Aug. 7) the society will host its annual cookout at Goddard State Park in Warwick that always attracts about 300 hockey fans. That event begins at 12 noon and players attending will disperse and sit at tables with fans.

Both events are open to the public. Deadline for reservations for each is July 23. The charge is $35 per person for each event.

For further information call 401-230-5905 or e-mail RIREDS15@gmail.com.


The 1955-56 Rhode Island Reds finished first American Hockey League regular season and became Calder Cup champions.

R. I. Reds Heritage Society
PO Box 504 Lincoln, RI 02895
Telephone: 401-230-5905
email: RIREDS15@gmail.com