RI’s Acciari Seeks to Join Exclusive List of Rhode Islanders on Stanley Cup
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
RI’s Acciari Seeks to Join Exclusive List of Rhode Islanders on Stanley Cup
“Being a New England guy, growing up watching the Bruins, to be able to play in the first-ever Game 7 Stanley Cup Final in Boston is definitely special,” Acciari told the media earlier this week.
If the Bruins win, Acciari would join names such as Lou Lamoriello, Brian Burke, Matthieu Schneider and other Rhode Islanders whose names are on the cup.
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“It just bears out that we are a hockey state, we produce hockey players. I’m not sure if we have had anyone win an NBA championship or NFL, but we have had over 30 people represent this country in the Olympics and World Championships,” said RI Hockey Hall of Fame Chairman Vincent Cimini.
Puck drop is set for 8 p.m.
Acciari added, "I'm excited, Game 7, Stanley Cup Final, what more can you ask for."
Acciari in Playoffs
In this Stanley Cup Final, Acciari has played in all six games, scoring one goal and recording one assist.
He has a +/- of 3 and has averaged nearly 14 minutes of ice time per game.
During the Bruins playoff run, Acciari has played in 18 games, scored two goals and recorded two assists.
He has been a reliable center for the Bruins, boasting a face-off win percentage of 49.55.
Acciari in RI
Acciari grew up in Johnston, Rhode Island and went to Bishop Hendricken, where he led the Hawks to a State Championship.
Following his career at Hendricken, he played at Providence College where helped the Friars win the national championship in 2015.
Acciari finished his Providence College career with a total of 32 goals and 33 assists for 65 points.
See the Rhode Islanders Whose Names are on the Cup in the Slideshow Below
Rhode Islanders With Names on Stanley Cup - June 2019
Brian Burke
Born in Providence, Burke grew up in Minnesota.
He returned to Rhode Island to attend Providence College, where he was captain of the hockey team.
Burke won the Stanley Cup in 2007 as the General Manager of the Anaheim Ducks.
That season, the Ducks, led by Teemu Selanne defeated the Ottawa Senators in five games.
Burke will be inducted into the RI Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019.
PHOTO: Leon Switzer/Wikipedia
Chris Terreri
Terreri was born in Warwick and attended Providence College.
He led the Friars to the NCAA Frozen Four in 1985 where they lost 2-1 to RPI.
He was drafted by the New Jersey Devils and helped them win the Cup - not once, but twice in 1995 and in 2000 as a backup goaltender to Martin Brodeur.
During his career he played for the Devils, the San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders.
PHOTO: USA Hockey
Mathieu Schneider
Scheider's family moved to Woonsocket for his high school years where he helped Mount win three State Championships.
Drafted in the third round of the 1987 NHL Draft by the Canadiens.
Schneider broke into the NHL full-time during 1990–91 season and won the 1993 Stanley Cup with the Canadiens.
The Canadians beat Wayne Gretzky's Los Angeles Kings in five games that season.
In 1993-1994, he led all NHL defensemen in points with 52.
He also played for 10 tens over 20 years in the NHL.
PHOTO: Orlandkurtenbach/Wikipedia
John Muckler
John Muckler is from Canada, but moved to Lincoln, Rhode Island to coach the Reds for several years.
After serving as head coach of the Minnesota North Stars, Muckler got his name on the cup with the Edmonton Oilers.
He served as an assistant coach with the Stanley Cup winners in 1984 and 1985 and was designated co-coach during the 1987 and 1988 championship seasons.
In 1989, head coach/general manager Glen Sather stepped down and Muckler was promoted to head coach and led the club to its fifth Stanley Cup in seven years in 1990.
Overall, Muckler has his name on the Stanley Cup five times.
PHOTO: Zehl Studio/Wikipedia
Lou Lamoriello
Lamoriello attended LaSalle Academy, and graduated from Providence College where he played both baseball and hockey, and then coached hockey and served as AD at PC.
In 1983, he left to run the New Jersey Devils.
In New Jersey, he led the Devils to the Stanley Cup Final in 1995 (won), 2000 (won), 2001 (lost), and 2003 (won).
Overall, his name appears three times on the Stanley Cup.
Lamoriello was inducted into the RI Hall of Fame in 2018.
He is currently the President of Hockey Operations with the New York Islanders.
PHOTO: USA Hockey Hall of Fame
Jack Ferreira
Ferreira was born in Providence, Rhode Island and served as Special Assistant to the General Manager of the Los Angeles Kings.
He helped Los Angeles to Stanley Cup victories in 2012 and 2014.
Overall, his name appears on the cup twice.
Ferreira moved on from LA in May of 2018.
He now serves as Senior Advisor to the Minnesota Wild.
PHOTO: RI Hockey Hall of Fame
Hal Gill
Hal Gill is from Concord, Massachusetts, but played four years of hockey at Providence College before entering the 1997 NHL Draft.
Gill won the Stanley Cup in 2009 with the Pittsburgh Penguins when they beat the Detroit Red Wings in seven games.
Gill retired from the NHL in 2015.
PHOTO: Dan4th Nicholas/Wikipedia
Steve Rooney
Steve Rooney is from Canton, Massachusetts, but played for Providence College for four years, before starting his NHL career in 1985.
Rooney won the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1986, when they beat the Calgary Flames in five games.
PHOTO: FanofPucks/Wikipedia
Peter Taglianetti
Peter Taglianetti is from Framingham, Massachusetts, but played hockey at Providence College for four seasons.
After beginning his NHL career in 1987, Taglianetti won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992.
Overall, his name appears on the Cup twice.
PHOTO: Peter Taglianetti/Twitter
