The names of five local hockey greats who represent the RI Hockey Hall of Fame’s “Class of 2025” were unveiled between the first and second periods of the Providence Bruins vs Utica Comets “Hall of Fame Game” at the Amica Mutual Center in Providence, RI.

The founding chair of the Hall of Fame, Vin Cimini noted that the five new inductees-elect are “among the most accomplished hockey figures our state has produced. Each has distinguished himself as a player and then gave back to the game in an important leadership capacity that has brought great honor to themselves, their teams, their communities, and our state.”

This is the eighth class of inductees since the Hall of Fame’s charter class of 2018. The Class of 2025 was elected during thorough review and anonymous balloting by the Hall of Fame’s nine-member selection committee. The selection process includes a public nomination feature that provides community participation.

The Enshrinement Celebration & Dinner for the 2025 Class will be held on Saturday, Aug.21, 2025, at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet in Cranston, RI. Tickets are now on sale on the Hall of Fame’s website – RIHHOF.com.

In alphabetical order, the “Class of 2025” inductees-elect are:

BILL ARMY

This 3-time High School All-Stater is a member of one of Rhode Island’s most famous hockey families.

Born and raised in East Providence, he led his Townies high school team to RI and New England hockey championships. At Boston College, this explosive skater and slick center iceman was named an NCAA All-American before turning pro with the AHL’s Rochester Americans and later becoming an outstanding prep school coach.

ROSS BROOKS

”Brooksie” signed as a goaltender with the American Hockey League’s RI Reds in 1961. Over his seven seasons with the Reds, he settled and raised his family in Lincoln, RI. In 1972, he starred with the

Boston Braves sharing the Hap Holmes Trophy as the AHL’s best goalie. He made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins at age 36, one of the oldest rookies in league history, swiftly matching a league record for a goaltender by winning 14 consecutive games. After retirement, he became a successful RI high school coach and then head coach of the Reds and an executive with the Providence Bruins.

BUSTER CLEGG

An All-State defenseman at Burrillville High School, he was voted team captain at the University of New Hampshire. After college, he became publicity director and then general manager of the AHL’s RI Reds.

He later helped co-found both the East Providence and Barrington youth hockey organizations and, in 2000, he founded the RI Reds Heritage Society. In 2023, he was awarded the RI Hockey Hall of Fame’s prestigious Malcolm Greene Chace Trophy for “Lifetime Contributions of a Rhode Islander to The game of Hockey.”

BOB O’CONNOR

This former high school “Player of the Year” at LaSalle Academy became a linemate with Lou Lamoriello at Providence College after a tour with the US Marine Corps. He later moved to Minnesota, becoming one of that state’s all-time winningest high school coaches and a director of USA Hockey. He would go on to coach seven USA Men’s & Women’s Select Teams before being named USA Hockey’s National Coach-in-Chief. The Coach’s Library at USA Hockey headquarters in Colorado Springs bears his name.

TOM WOODCOCK

Born and raised in Providence, Tom was a 3-time All-Stater at Hope High School. After a brief pro career, he became an assistant to legendary RI Reds trainer, George Army, and was then named the first full-time hockey trainer at Brown University, where he also managed Meehan Auditorium. He was soon on his way to a 40-year career and over 3,000 games as head trainer for the NHL’s St Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers and San Jose Sharks. He was inducted into the Trainers Wing of the NHL Hall of Fame in 2003.

About the R.I. Hockey Hall of Fame

The Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization formed in September 2016 to honor the Ocean State’s rich contributions to the sport at all levels and all corners of the world. Through its Hall of Fame enshrinement program, Malcolm Greene Chase Memorial Trophy, high school All-Star Showcase, and its new scholarship program, the RI Hockey Hall of Fame is dedicated to recognizing the past, present, and future of Rhode Islanders involved in the sport.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Vincent Cimini, RIHHOF Chair - 401-824-4645 / info@rihhof.com

Greg Bouris, RIHHOF Board Member – 516-510-3112 / gbouris@powerxcommunications.net