Inducted into the RI Reds Hall of Fame in 1968
Inducted into the Manitoba Hall of Fame in 1993
A “Class of 1968” inductee into the RI Reds Hall of Fame, Chuck Scherza was one of the most prolific scorers and beloved players to have ever skated for the Reds. He played for the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers in the mid-40s and was a solid scorer and rugged player who could check and win battles for the puck in the corners.
Born in Brandon, Manitoba, Scherza played juniors with the Regina Abbotts and the OHA’s Oshawa Generals. At age 20, Chuck joined the Boston Bruins during the 1943-44 campaign as they were desperately short of players during World War II. Chuck was later traded to the New York Rangers for cash and was a key role player for the remainder of the season and part of the next.
After his National Hockey League tenure, the hard-nosed bruiser spent ten highly successful years with the Reds, helping the club capture to coveted Calder Cup in 1949.
Over his time with the Reds, he became a team leader, serving as team captain for five seasons. He also became one of the highest scoring players in team history, a few points behind the all-time leader, Zellio Toppazzini. He ranks second all-time in games (649), third all-time in assists (297), ninth all-time in goals (139), and fourth all-time in points (436) in Reds history.
From his center position, Chuck set several league marks during his time in Providence, including fastest two goals (six seconds), as well as an ironman streak of 309 consecutive games.
During his career, Chuck was considered one of the toughest players and hardest hitters in the American Hockey League. He earned respect from the opposition and admiration from the stands for his two-way play and was never known to back down to an opponent’s aggression when the going got rough.
Chuck played senior hockey with the Trois Rivieres Lions and North Bay Trappers. In 1959, as player/coach during his third season with the Trappers, a stick wildly wielded by an opponent, struck him in the face. He sustained the loss of an eye, ending his playing career.
Chuck later settled in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and raised his family here. After retirement, he became a longtime fixture as a linesman during Reds games and a respected on-ice official refereeing RI Interscholastic Hockey League and local college games.
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