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Copper Country Hockey Legends last name beginning with
...
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X-Y-Z |
R
 
Bob
Rangus, born 1979 in Laurium, played hockey with Calumet High School,
leading Calumet to the 1998 B-C-D State Championship Title. After that
season, Bob was honored as Michigan's Mr. Hockey and still has the honor of
being the only UP player to ever receive that award! Bob played with the Soo Indians
2 seasons 1998-00 in the North American Junior A Hockey league, where he
was named to the HAHL All Star Team in 1999-2000. Bob then played hockey
2 seasons for Michigan Tech
2000-02, where he scored a goal against Denver on his first collegiate shot
and was later in the season named WCHA Rookie of the Week. He played for the local
Finlandia University Hockey Team 2002-03 where he
was among the leading scorers, and in
2003-04 played with Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) and
Knoxville Ice Bears
(SEHL) and Rio Grande (CHL). Rangus is currently living in the Copper
Country, playing for the Calumet
Wolverines. |
UP's First Mr. Hockey!!  In 1998, Bob Rangus
from Calumet High School, was chosen as
|
Bob Rangus
|
Brian
Rangus, born 19-- in -- a Calumet High
School hockey player, plays for the local Finlandia University Hockey Team
2002-.
Lloyd
Rautiola, born 19-- in -- a Hancock native and local junior hockey player played hockey with
Michigan Tech varsity 4 years 1950-53, and was Tech's
team Captain in 1953, then played with the Portage Lake Pioneers in 1954.
| Brien Ricci, born 19-- in --, was an outstanding athlete from Hancock HS, playing on the Hancock hockey team from 1974-76 (and being unbeaten in high school hurdles). He went on to referring WCHA & NCAA hockey for many years from 19-- to currently. Brien has refereed some NHL San Jose Sharks games in the 1990s. |
Brien Ricci need pic of him in uniform here |
Joe Ricci, born 19-- in -- a Houghton native, played football and hockey for Michigan Tech 1948-50.
He also played hockey with the Portage Lake Pioneers, the Marquette Sentinels,
and helped the Escanaba Hawks win the Gibson Cup in 1954. He was also a baseball
player, earning the Copper Country Senior baseball league MVP honors in 1948,
and with Escanaba Harnishchfeger won the Class A State fast pitch softball
championship in 1954. Joe was inducted into the
Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of
Fame in 2008. need pic etc here
John "Topper"
Ricci, born
19-- in Hancock,
he is regarded as one of the premier hockey officials in the country, working 1,300 games including more than 600 NCAA
hockey games. Refereed five NCAA hockey championship tournaments and the WCHA
playoffs for 15 years. He played with the Portage Lake Pioneers 1960-61. On
"November 19-20, 1982 John Ricci and his son Brian are the
first father-son tandem to officiate a CCHA game. The Hancock, Mich.,
natives work the Illinois-Chicago at Northern Michigan series." Topper
still lives in Hancock and was inducted into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of
Fame in 1996. need a picture here...
Bob Richards, born 19-- in -- , a player in Calumet, played for Helena (AWHL), Wayne State and Salem State. ... need a picture and more info here...
Jasen Rintala, born 19-- in Calumet, played 2 seasons with Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL 1992-94, then 4 years with Mankato State, WCHA, 1994-98, Nashville Ice Flyers (CHL), Oklahoma City Blazers (CHL), Fayetteville Force (CHL), Greensboro Generals (ECHL), Cape Fear (Fayetteville, NC) Fire Antz (ACHL). need picture and more info here.
Rich Rippi, born 19-- in -- from Houghton, played 1970-71 with UW-Superior. need a picture and more info here...
  Bruce
Riutta,
born 1944 in Hancock played on the Dollar Bay VFW team that won the National Midget title in
Colorado Springs, at the Broadmoor. They beat a team from the greater
Boston area (population 3+Million people) in the championship game. The team was
coached by Earl Gorman and Andy Wiitanen from Dollar Bay. Bruce went on to play 3 seasons of hockey
for Michigan Tech 1964-67, and was a two-time hockey All-American, in both
the 1965-66 and 1966-67 seasons. He played hockey with the Huskies when NHL
great, Tony Esposito, played in goal at Michigan Tech. Riutta also received All-WCHA
honors in 1965-66 and was a second team All-WCHA selection in 1966-67 and
Honorable Mention in 1964-65. Riutta
continued his hockey career after graduating, playing on the 1968 U.S. Olympic
Team in Grenoble, France, and the U.S. National Team for three years, 1969-71.
He also played for the semi-pro
Green Bay Bobcats from 1968-75. He has been
active in the Ashwaubenon (Wisconsin) Youth Hockey Association; coaching for
over 25 years, and coached the high school team. Bruce was inducted into the
Michigan Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1987 and was inducted into the
Upper
Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. Bruce is the son of Michigan Tech
player (1930s) Emil Riutta, and the father of Michigan Tech player (1981-85)
Barry Riutta (born the same day as his Grandpa Emil!). Michigan Tech University 1964-65 |
Bruce Riutta
|
USA National Team 1969 USA National Team 1971 |
|
Emil Riutta,
(1908-1987) born in Hancock,
was playing hockey for the Portage Lake Cubs in 1927-28 when they won
the U.P Championship. He played hockey for Michigan Tech in the 1927-28
season. Emil was the first of 3 generations to play hockey for Michigan Tech;
son Bruce and grandson Barry played for Michigan Tech. Emil's brother, Arne,
also played local senior hockey, but not for the college. |
Emil Riutta |
Michigan College of Mines |
Joe Romano, born 19-- in --, played high school hockey for Painesdale Jeffers 3 seasons, 1975-1978, he is the ref at many of our local games including Division I Michigan Tech in the WCHA, and DIII Finlandia University, and for USA hockey at National Championship games. ..... need info and picture of Joe in uniform here
 
Elwyn Nelson Romnes (1907-1984) was born in White Bear Lake, Mn. "Doc"
as he was called through out his career, played hockey at St. Thomas
University in St Paul, then with the St Paul Saints of the AHL 1927-30. He
then broke into the NHL when there were only 2 other American born players
in the league to play 9 seasons with the
Chicago Blackhawks 1930-39 and the following year with the Toronto Maple
Leafs then the New York Americans. He played in the the Stanley Cup finals 4
different years: 1931, 1934, 1938 with Chicago and 1939 with Toronto:
winning the Stanley Cup in 1934 and 1938. In 1936, he was the
first American born player to win the
Lady Byng Trophy, awarded for "sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct
combined with a high standard of playing ability" since it was first awarded
in 1925. In 1940, he retired from his professional career, having played in
403 games and only accumulating 46 penalty minutes! Doc then became the head
coach of the
Michigan Tech University Hockey team two seasons. 1941-43; the following
year, MTU did not have varsity sports during the war. Romnes helped start
the Copper Country Junior Hockey program while he was here. In 1946, he
coached the Kansas City Pla Mors, in the USHL, to League and Playoff
Championships. He then coached the University of Minnesota Hockey team
1947-52. Every year the Gophers honor one of their hockey player with the
Doc Romnes Leadership and Sportsmanship Award. In 1973, Romnes was
inducted into the US
Hockey Hall of Fame. |
|
| Nicole Ropiak, born 19-- in -- , played with the local 19U Girls K-Wings team (1996-?); she is now playing hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. need more info here... |
|
| Dan
Rouleau, born 19-- in -- played Hancock High School hockey 1978-81,
and was All Conference pick. From 1995 to 2004, he was Assistant Coach for
the Hancock HS hockey team; he then became the Head Coach for Hancock High
School hockey team. need more info and pictures here! |
Photo courtesy of HCS |
|
Peter
Michael Rouleau, born 1983 in Marquette, Michigan, played center and left wing at Hancock High
School, and is the career point leader at Hancock High School with 264
points. While at Hancock High, he was the most valuable player of the Lake
Superior Conference three years in a row and All-State his junior and
senior years. In 2002, he scored 5 goals in a 10-0 win over Negaunee HS.
During the 2000-2001 season, Rouleau was Runner-Up for the Mr. Hockey
Award. He also was on the 1998-99 State High School Championship team and
the 1999-2000 State Runner-Up team. He played a few games with the
Springfield Spirit, NAHL in 2001-02. Rouleau played 2002-03 for the
Green Bay Gamblers, a Junior A team in the United States Hockey League and
a season for Finlandia
University in Hancock.
He went on to play 3 seasons with D1 Michigan Tech University 2005-08. He
played a few games with the Idaho Steelheads and the Pensacola Ice Pilots in
the ECHL in 2007-08 and the Texas Brahmas, CHL 2008-09. need pic of Pete in
uniform here... Michigan Tech University 2007-08 |
Photo courtesy of HCS |
Ross Rouleau, born 1988 in Hancock? played hockey at Hancock High School.
He then played 2 seasons with Finlandia University 2006-08. Ross then played a
few games with the Texas Brahmas, CHL in 2008-09. need pic in uniform and info here....
 Ken
A. Rowe, Jr born 1964 in Calumet played High School Hockey for Calumet, he
then played two years of Jr. A USHL in Dubuque, Iowa and two years Division
I hockey at Northern Michigan University
1981-82. |
Ken Rowe, Jr |
| William
George Rowe, Bill was born 1937 in Kirkland Lake, Ont, he played
goalie with Michigan Tech Univ 3 seasons, 1958-61, then played for the
Quebec senior league on the St. Hyancinthe team, then the Marquette Iron
Rangers one season, 1964-65, and the Green Bay Bobcats one season 1965-66
then retired as a player. He then was a goalie coach where he was living:
for University of Michigan for 2 seasons 1975-76, 76-77, Michigan Tech Univ
3 seasons 1977-78, 78-79, 79-80 and again 4 seasons from 1982-86,
and for Northern Michigan Univ 2 seasons 1980-81, 81-82 then back to NMU
off and on from 1988-96. Bill was the goalie coach for a NAHL Jr
A team for Head Coach Brian Hannon in Springfield, Mo 2 seasons 2001-2003.
He is now retired and living in Houghton.. |
Bill Rowe |
| Leo
H. Roy (1908-1968) born in Houghton, played hockey for Houghton High
School three seasons1923-1925; he was the captain for part of the last 2
years. Roy played for Michigan Tech 1926-27, which were the Mid-Western
Intercollegiate Hockey Champions that season. He played for the
Portage Lake Cubs hockey team in 1927-28 when they won the U.P. Championship. He refereed for several years in the Michigan-Wisconsin
league. Roy donated a gold watch charm to be presented to the most outstanding MTU football and hockey players as chosen by their teammates following the last game of their respective seasons. He also donated a Silver Cup Trophy to the Portage Lake Intermediate Hockey league consisting at the time of Hubbell, Dollar Bay, Hancock Rangers, West Houghton AC, Dodgeville and South Range. "The Cup is an artistic creation of silver, with a gold lining. It stands 13 inches in height and is mounted on a black metal base, on which is a silver band for the engraved name of the winning team...." see Daily Mining Gazette article to the right. Roy also donated a MVP trophy to the senior League that was to be presented year after year, but was last presented to Connie Pleban of the Eagle River team at the end of the 1937-38 season (perhaps it was not returned, as the MVP the following season received a trophy donated by local businesses.) If you know the where-abouts of these trophies, please contact the webmaster so we can take a picture of it. Roy was very active in the community and went on to be a 5 term State Senator for the 32 District until he retired in 1959. During his 10 years in the Senate, he was co-sponsor of the Mackinac Bridge project and got funding for the artificial ice plant for the Dee Stadium among many other state and local programs he was able to get funded. He sponsored a Hockey Trophy called .... that was given to the winner of... annually. |
1927-28
Michigan College of Mines
(Michigan Tech) |
Bernard
Edward Ruelle (1919-1995) was born in Houghton. At the age of 20,
Bernie left here for Detroit in 1939 to play for the Holzbaugh
team.
Ruelle played minor pro hockey off and on from 1939-1947; he also served 2
years in the service during that time. The year after the Red Wings
won the Stanley Cup, he played 2 games with the
Detroit Red
Wings in
1943-44
and scored one goal.
He was injured in a car accident and finished the season with the
Indianapolis Capitals. From 1944-46 he was in the service, on his
return, he played hockey in the Pacific
Coast League in Tacoma, Wa with the Tacoma Rockets and later in the season
with the Fresno Falcons during the 1946-47 season. He returned home and played many years with the Portage Lake
team;
he was part of the brother combinations of the Ruelle's, Bernie and
Jackie, and the Bukovich's that dominated 1940s-1950s.
|
Bernie Ruelle
Need picture of the |
|
Emery
Ruelle, born 19-- in Hancock, played in the USHL from 1961-1976 on such teams as
the Des Moines Oak Leafs, Waterloo Black Hawks, Marquette Iron Rangers and Green
Bay Bobcats. In the 1965-66 season, he played on the US National Team. A
Business graduate of Northern Michigan University, he
played on the Portage Lake team for a number of years. |
|
| Francis
Ruelle, born 191- in Houghton, went to Detroit to play hockey in 1938. He
played with Detroit Holzbaugh and Detroit McLean Pontiacs 3 seasons from
1938-41, in 1943-44 he played with the Toledo Bombers and then with the
Detroit Auto Club 3 seasons from 1945-48. Francis "Pea Soup" and
his brother Bernie were a powerhouse line for the Portage Lake Pioneers
through out the 1950's. |
Francis Ruelle |
| John "Jack"
Ruelle, (1923-2009) was born in Houghton; he served in WWII where his
plane was shot down over Germany just a year after he graduated from high
school; he was held prisoner until the end of the war. Ruelle played briefly for Michigan Tech circa 1947, and then
joined the Portage Lake Pioneers in 1947; he helped win the Gibson Cup 3 times
with the Portage Lake team: 1947-48, 1951-52, 1955-56 when they also won the
States and went on to win the Senior Nationals in 1956. In 1954, he lead the league in
scoring. He was still on the team when they won the Whittaker Cup in 1957-58. His favorite offensive weapon was the "sausage play"; what we
now call the wraparound. He was part of the Pioneer's power play that featured
Jackie and his brother Bernie, and the three Bukovich brothers (Tony, Joe
and Mike). Jack later coached in youth hockey circles in Sault Ste Marie,
Michigan and on August 2, 1980, the city declared it "Jack Ruelle Day" in
the Soo in honor of all the work he did with the local youth hockey
programs. |
|
Jim
Ruhl, born 19-- in -- a Houghton native,
played hockey for Michigan Tech 1946-50. In a weekend series of Michigan Tech vs
MSU, Jim
scored 8 goals (Jan. 12-13, 1950); a record that still stands at Michigan
State Univ. today,
over 50 years later. Amo
Bessone, former MTU hockey coach, has been quoted as saying the line of Jim
Ruhl and Ted and Marc Olson was one of the best lines he has ever coached in
college.
 Ken
Ruohonen, "Kenner" (1933 -19--) born in Houghton, played on the 1951-53 Portage
Lake Pioneers teams starting when he was only 16 years old. In 1952,
he entered the US Army and played on the Armed Forces team in West Germany
for 2 seasons, then one year with the Detroit City League and returned to the Copper Country
and played with Portage Lake 1955-56 season. In 1959, he moved to Green Bay
and played one year in the Breen Bay City League then joined the Green Bay
Bobcats, USHL, coached by Tony Bukovich. He scored 251 goals in 11 years
1958-69 with the Green Bay Bobcats, the first pro hockey team in Green Bay. In 1965, the Bobcats won
the National US Senior Tournament in Boston where Kenner was voted the
MVP. After being named MVP, he was asked to join the United States Senior
team where he made a two week tour of Europe, playing in Moscow, Kiev,
Geneva, Paris, Prague and Switzerland. Kenner moved back again to
the Copper Country in July 1970 and played with the Calumet
Wolverines and then the a year with the Portage Lake Flyers then
joined the Calumet Chiefs as player/director, helping them win the Gibson
Cup in 1972-73. The covered ice rink in Oscar, Michigan is named after Ken.
add pic of rink here.. |
|
Jamie
Russell, born 19-- a native of Kamloops, British Columbia, Jamie is the current coach of
the Michigan Tech University Hockey Team. He played defense at Michigan Tech
1987-89 and was the Assistant Captain both seasons. He played for Larjevellan,
Sweden in 1989 and was second in league scoring. In 1990, he played for Winston-Salmen
(ECHL), and was the Team Captain; in 1991, he played for Binghamton (AHL). He
went on to be the Assist. Coach at Ferris State (CCHA) for 5 seasons (1994-99)
then he went to Cornell University (ECAC) for 4 seasons as their lead Assist.
Coach (1999-03) when Cornell was the top-ranked team in the country in the final
regular-season poll. He was announced as Michigan Tech's Head Coach in May 2003.
need pics here
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