Acciari honored by Reds

Noel Acciari now ranks among Rhode Island’s ice hockey elite.

Sunday, inside the jam-packed and famed carousel building at Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick, Acciari one of the Rhode Island Reds Heritage Society’s most prestigious awards.

Acciari, a Johnston native who ranks among the state’s all-time best hockey for his unique journey to the National Hockey League, was honored with the coveted Reds’ Rhode Island Native-Son Award.

Acciari’s highly-successful NHL career – which has taken him to the Florida Panthers after being a standout in a number of areas for the Boston Bruins – began following a star-studded yet brief career at Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick.

The won of Michael and Edna Acciari, who also lives in Johnston, he then went to the famed Kent School and after graduation enrolled at Providence College where he helped lead the Friars to the NCAA National Championship.

The highly-respected Acciari added to his sparkling career – that not many Rhode Islanders have ever had – when he was drafted by the National Hockey League’s “hometown” Boston Bruins.

Upon completion of the recent NHL season, Acciari became a free agent then signed a contract with the Florida Panthers.

Sylvester “Buster” Clegg, who founded the Reds Heritage Society 19 years ago and serves as the non-profit’s president, offered, “Noel Acciari is the perfect player to receive our Native-Born Achievement Award; he’s the epitome of a home grown ice hockey player.” PROUD PARENTS: Johnston residents Michael and Edna Acciari are all smiles while joining their son – Noel Acciari formerly of the Boston Bruins and now with the NHL Florida Panthers – at Sunday’s Rhode Island Reds Heritage Society’s 19th Reunion where the former Hawk and Friar super skater received the prestigious RI Native-Don Award. (Photo by Pete Fontaine)