Providence Welcomes Capacity Crowds With AHL Hockey Events

PROVIDENCE - The City of Providence welcomed an overflow crowd on January 27th & 28th as it celebrated the first-ever American Hockey League (AHL) All-Star Championships in the capital city, and one local family gathed for the posthumous induction of their father, hockey legend Harvey A. Bennett, Sr., to the AHL Hall of Fame.

Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and Director of Economic Development Jim Bennett joined last year to make a strong pitch to bring the AHL event to Providence. Bennett was unaware his father, Harvey Sr., would be considered as an inductee for the highly-regarded Hall of Fame. The event marked first-ever capacity crowds at the Vets Auditorium, the Rhode Island Convention Center and the Dunkin' Donuts Center.

According to the AHL website, Harvey A. Bennett Sr., played 13 seasons in the League and was "one of the league's most successful goaltenders of his era, becoming synonymous with hockey in Rhode Island both during and after his playing career." He passed away in 2004, and saw five of his sons play professional hockey. Currently, his grandson Mac, a third round pick of the Montreal Canadians, attends the University of Michigan and his granddaughters play ice hockey competitively at private schools.