RI Hockey Legacy

The R.I. Amateur Hockey League opened in the 1955-56 season.  Terry Reardon of the R.I. Reds and John C. Martin, Arena general manager, co-ordinated in running the league.  The league had eight teams in two divisions (Eastern and Western Divisions).  The league also continued the tradition of putting at all-star team of leading performers (known as the RI Scarlets) in the New England AHA Senior Tournament.  Cranston completed an undefeated season going 10-0-0.  They beat North Kingstown 9-4 in the semi-finals and Burrillville in the finals 6-3 and 13-4 (led by Henry Coupe's 4 goals) in the total-goals playoff series to win the championship at the RI Auditorium.  In the 1956-57 season the league had 6 teams with George Handy's Cranston Colts winning the state championship in a two-game total-goals series 4-4 and 4-3 over Girouard's Oil of Burrillville.