Late Providence Reds Star Harvey Bennett to be Inducted into the AHL HOF
Ken Bell
P-Bruins news release…
HARVEY BENNETT, SR. INDUCTED INTO AHL
HALL OF FAME
Rhode Island Hockey Great Spent 12 Seasons
with Providence Reds
Providence,
RI – The Providence Bruins,
entering their 21st season in the American Hockey League, announced today that former Providence Reds
great Harvey Bennett, Sr. has been
inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2013.
With a name that is synonymous with hockey in Rhode Island, Bennett was a
mainstay with the Providence Reds and the Rhode Island hockey community, as
both a player and youth hockey coach.
A native of Edington, Saskatchewan, Bennett played 15 professional seasons, guarding
the Reds' net for 12 of those seasons. Bennett
began his career with the Boston Bruins in 1944. By the age of 19, Bennett
became one of only a handful of NHL players to start more than 15 games in a
row while still in their teenage years, by playing in 22 consecutive games for
Boston.
During his 12 seasons with the Reds, Bennett won two Calder Cups with the team
in 1949 and 1956. He enjoyed his most
successful professional season in 1948-49, putting up a 3.16
goals-against-average in 67 games, en route to leading the club to its third
Calder Cup.
“The Bennett name is synonymous with Rhode Island hockey. Whether
it be through the Reds, the AHL or just Rhode Island hockey in general, Harvey
Bennett was an industrial figure in this community. This is a long overdue and
well deserved honor for the entire Bennett family,” said Jeff Fear, CEO of the
Providence Bruins/Providence Sports + Entertainment.
Bennett's connection to Rhode Island continued long after his retirement in
1959, as he made Rhode Island his permanent home for him and his family. He
stayed involved in the game, helping found the Edgewood Hockey Association and
opening Bennett Sports, which is still housed at the Cranston Memorial Ice Arena
today. All five of Bennett's sons played professional hockey, including three in
the NHL. In 2007, Bennett was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of
Fame, an honor befitting those whose efforts have added significantly to the
heritage of the state of Rhode Island.
The Class of 2013 will be honored as a part of the festivities at the 2013 Dunkin' Donuts AHL All-Star Classic in
Providence, RI. The American Hockey League
Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony is scheduled for Monday, January 28
at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence.
Formed in 2006 to recognize, honor
and celebrate individuals for their outstanding achievements and contributions
in the American Hockey League, the AHL Hall of Fame is housed on-line at www.ahlhalloffame.com and is accessible to fans worldwide with
the click of a mouse as part of the AHL Internet Network. The Network also
includes theahl.com and all 30 official team sites, and hosts more than 250
million page views each year.
The Providence Bruins will open the
2012-13 season on Friday, October 12 at 7:05 p.m. versus the Manchester
Monarchs for Dunkin' Donuts Thundersticks Night. The P-Bruins' complete season
schedule can be found on www.providencebruins.com.
Providence Bruins ticket packages are
on sale now for the 2012-13 season. To purchase tickets of for more
information, call the P-Bruins ticket office at 401-273-5000 or log on to the team website at www.providencebruins.com.
For all the latest Providence Bruins
news, updates and special offers, become a fan of the P-Bruins on Facebook at www.facebook.com/providencebruins or
follow the club on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AHLBruins.
— Bruins —
