Providence has an old and rich hockey tradition. The Providence Reds were one of the first professional hockey teams in the United States. In their 51-year history (1926�1977), the Reds won seven playoff championships, including four Calder Cup titles. The Reds were the first minor-league hockey team to operate for 50 seasons. The Providence Bruins, established in the 1992�1993 season, carry on the city�s great hockey legacy and gave Providence its fifth Calder Cup title. Several Hockey Hall of Famers have played for Providence-based teams, including Bobby Bauer, Hector �Toe� Blake, Johnny Bower, Frank Brimsek, Eddie Giacomin, Rod Langway, Milt Schmidt, and Lorne �Gump� Worsley.
Jim Mancuso is a member of the Society for International Hockey Research and the Rhode Island Reds Heritage Society. He has written several other books on minor-league hockey, including Hockey in the Capital District, Hockey in Charlotte, Hockey in Springfield, and Hockey in Syracuse.