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So far Craig has created 146 blog entries.

10 Greats Become the Newest Members of the Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame

2019-09-10T10:45:26-04:00September 10th, 2019|

Ten greats became the newest honored members of the Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame during formal enshrinement ceremonies on Friday, September 6th at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln. Also honored was Larry Reid, recipient of the annual Malcolm Greene Chace Trophy awarded for “Lifetime contribution of a Rhode Islander to the Game [...]

Edwin “Yogi” Gardiner (2025)

2025-08-25T16:52:01-04:00August 25th, 2025|

2025 Malcolm Greene Chace Award Recipient.  Edwin Gardiner was born and raised in Warwick, RI’s Apponaug neighborhood. He attended Warwick Veterans High School where he wrestled and played baseball for the Hurricanes, graduating in 1962. A boyhood fan of HOF catcher, Yogi Berra, Edwin, a lefty hitter, mimicked the Yankee great at the plate [...]

Rhode Island: Birthplace of Hockey’s First Full-Time Goalie Facemask

2020-01-13T16:21:53-05:00June 18th, 2019|

From youth leagues to the pros, the goaltender’s facemask is standard and required equipment. Younger generations might be surprised to know that it hasn’t always been that way. Prior to the 1950’s, no self-respecting goalie, let alone hockey player, would be caught hiding behind a mask. While, from time to time, there was the occasional [...]

The Birth of Burrillville Hockey: Tom Eccleston Needed an Edge.

2020-02-17T16:15:15-05:00May 29th, 2019|

As the 1937-38 RI amateur hockey season began, a 28-year-old defenseman, Tom Eccleston, Jr., was playing in the state's best amateur circuit, the Intercity League. His Greenville Townies played before paying customers at the legendary RI Auditorium. Tom needed an edge because the league had just announced that an Intercity League All-Star Team would be [...]

Jordan Binnington credits time in Providence for preparing him to face Boston in Stanley Cup Finals

2019-07-24T09:54:25-04:00May 24th, 2019|

Jordan Binnington will start for the St. Louis Blues against the Boston Bruins in the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals. Interestingly, he played for our Providence Bruins, the B’s American Hockey League affiliate last season and also received a nod to play in the AHL All-Star Game. At the start of last season, the Blues were [...]

Zellio Toppazzini’s Grand Nephew, Justin Williams, Leads Hurricanes into Battle with Bruins

2019-05-16T10:58:48-04:00May 9th, 2019|

Carolina Hurricanes captain Justin Williams is not a Rhode Islander (and who knows if he’s ever even set foot in the Ocean State), but it’s worth noting that Williams is related to Rhode Island hockey royalty. The 37-year-old Williams, who will be in the spotlight when the Bruins meet the Hurricanes in the NHL’s Eastern [...]

Michael Spinks vs Harvey Bennett, Jr. Boxing in the City of Brotherly Love

2020-01-14T09:11:49-05:00March 1st, 2019|

Back in the summer of 1977, Harvey Bennett, Jr. was coming off, perhaps, his most eventful professional season. He started the 1976-77 campaign with the Washington Capitals but was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in November. During the season he was chosen to play alongside his brother, Curt, with the US National Team. The brothers [...]

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