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So far Craig has created 141 blog entries.

A Goalie Goal…not only hockey’s, but, perhaps, sport’s rarest feat.

2023-04-17T20:47:12-04:00April 17th, 2023|

It seems like the entire hockey world has watched in wonder, live or on replay, the goal scored by Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark on February 25, 2023. The rarity of the event was a powerful attraction. In fact, there are even rules established years ago to make it even less apt to happen. But [...]

Norm Rosa: The Maestro of RI Auditorium Ice was the Pulse of the Arena

2023-03-26T13:46:48-04:00March 20th, 2023|

A few decades ago, Norm Rosa's schedule would have looked something like this: R.I. Reds hockey, then a Celtics basketball game, then the comedy team of Martin and Lewis, the rock music of the Grateful Dead, a Rocky Marciano boxing bout, the graceful spins and jumps of the Ice Capades, the rough action of Roller [...]

RI Hockey Hall of Fame Reveals “Class of 2023” at Annual Hall of Fame Game

2023-03-29T18:46:34-04:00February 24th, 2023|

(Providence, RI) The names of five local hockey greats who represent the RI Hockey Hall of Fame’s “Class of 2023” were unveiled during its annual Hall of Fame Game on February 24th at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. Vin Cimini, founding chairman of the Hall, performed the ceremonial puck drop prior to the annual [...]

Don Armstrong: Recollections of a “Rink Rat” during the Golden Age of hockey at the RI Auditorium

2023-02-28T20:41:12-05:00February 28th, 2023|

For five decades, the RI Auditorium at 1111 North Main Street in Providence was the epicenter of RI hockey and home of the revered RI Reds. Throughout the mid 20th century, dozens of youngsters who grew up in proximity to the Arena, as it was called, became known as “rink rats”. Most hung around doing [...]

Hubert C. Milot: His Hockey Dream Changed the Face of RI Sports & Entertainment

2023-01-10T21:30:43-05:00January 10th, 2023|

The story of the birth of the RI Auditorium and that of the Providence (RI) Reds began nearly 100 years ago with local businessman and hockey enthusiast Hubert C. Milot. Born in New Bedford, Hubert’s family moved to Providence, where he was educated at LaSalle Academy. He attended university at St. Mary’s College in Montreal. [...]

How a student in the wrong place at the right time led to the re-birth of PC Friars hockey

2023-02-04T17:15:56-05:00November 9th, 2022|

In 1926, the opening of the new RI Auditorium and the state’s first indoor ice surface heralded a bright new era for RI hockey. Until then, hockey in the Ocean State was played on frozen ponds and rivers, subject to the whims of the weather. Now, indoor artificial ice generated an explosion of interest in [...]

Ahead of his time – Remembering Tommy Woodcock, a Rhode Island Hall of Fame Trainer

2022-10-24T12:01:33-04:00October 24th, 2022|

Former Hope High School hockey great Tommy “Woody” Woodcock was the original medical trainer of the NHL’s St Louis Blues. He worked for the club for its first 16 seasons. A 3-time All-Stater at Hope, he came from a highly-accomplished hockey family that included brothers Eddie and Rollie. Tom enjoyed a brief pro career in [...]

The Eastern Olympics: A stepping stone for today’s USA Hockey Development Program

2022-10-06T09:12:00-04:00October 5th, 2022|

In 1965, following what can only be described as an embarrassing showing by the US hockey team at the 1964 Games, New England took what many believe was one of the first real steps in drawing up the successful blueprint we have today for developing the best talent and teams to compete on the world [...]