The Providence Reds
The Providence Reds hockey team played in the Canadian-American Hockey League (CAHL) between 1926 and 1936 and the American Hockey League (AHL) from 1936 to 1977, the last season of which they played as the Rhode Island Reds.
The team name came from the breed of chicken known as the Rhode Island Red.
A History of Success
For over half a century, the Rhode Island Reds captivated audiences with thrilling hockey, claiming three Can-Am Fontaine Cups and four AHL Calder Cup titles. Their legacy includes hundreds of talented players and countless memories for dedicated fans.
The Auditorium
The Reds played at the Rhode Island Auditorium from 1926 through 1972. The Auditorium opened at 1111 North Main Street in Providence on February 18, 1926.
After the Can-Am League folded in 1936, the Providence Reds transitioned to the American Hockey League. The 1936-37 team featured the legendary "Kraut Line" made up of Milt Schmidt, Wood Dumart, and Bobby Bauer, which would later become a cornerstone of the Boston Bruins.
Cam Newton stops shot by Steve Andrascik and #4 Larry Dignell (c. 1971-1973) by UnknownRhode Island State Archives
A New Home
In 1972, the Providence Reds embarked on a new chapter, moving into the Providence Civic Center and becoming the farm team for the New York Rangers.
When the working agreement with the Rangers terminated in 1975, it sounded the death knell for the Reds franchise. Operating once again as an independent, the team was officially renamed the Rhode Island Reds.
The Reds enjoyed several successful seasons as the farm team of the Rangers.
End of an Era
Despite a strong second-place finish in the Eastern Division, the Reds fell short in the 1976 Calder Cup finals against the Hershey Bears. This defeat marked the end of an era for the franchise, leaving behind a legacy of championship victories and loyal fans.
When the North American Hockey League ceased operations in 1977, the Providence Reds franchise was purchased and relocated to Binghamton, New York. The team underwent a series of name changes, becoming the Binghamton Dusters, Binghamton Whalers, and Binghamton Rangers.
In 1997, the franchise was sold to Madison Square Garden and then moved to become the Hartford Wolf Pack.
It is the oldest continuously operating minor-league hockey franchise in North America, having fielded a team in one form or another since 1926 in the CAHL. It is also the only AHL franchise to have never missed a season.
Rhode Island Reds player scoring a disputed goal (1970/1979) by UnknownRhode Island State Archives
Hockey in Rhode Island Today
The AHL returned to Providence in 1992 in the form of the Providence Bruins. Formed in 2001, The Rhode Island Reds Heritage Society commemorates the existence of the franchise and keeps the memory alive.
