Hall of Fame Members

Roger A. LeClerc

• Played high school hockey at Notre Dame High School.
• Played both wing and defense during his high school career.
• Selected as a captain of his high school team during his junior and senior seasons.
• Began sports career at the University of New Hampshire in 1955.
• During his sophomore season, UNH coach Pepper Martin referred to Roger’s line as the “LeClerc Line.” The line also featured Albert Brodeur.
• Was killed in an auto accident on December 22, 1958.
• The Roger A. LeClerc Award is annually given to the UNH player who exemplifies Roger’s competitive spirit, ability, good fellowship and sportsmanship.

Rod Ross never played hockey — opting for football, basketball and baseball while attending Berlin High School — but his love for the sport would help shape a 43-year career in radio broadcasting, most notably for Berlin High School and Notre Dame teams, and the Berlin Maroons on WBRL.

Born in Everett, Massachusetts, and raised in Berlin, Ross was a sports enthusiast. He graduated from Berlin High School and went on to Plymouth State College, where he fell in love with theater, a passion that would encompass his life as both an actor and a director. He worked on dozens of productions through the years and has influenced hundreds of people in both school and community theater performances.

His radio career was born while he was home for the summer one year from Plymouth State, helping out his father, Charley, a radio announcer in town. Ross began at WBRL in 1964 and, over 43 years, estimated he broadcast nearly 2,000 games.

“There are two reasons why Rod was an exceptional broadcaster,” said his brother, Rusty Ross. “First, the way he would broadcast games and second, the preparation and enthusiasm he brought to the game. He obviously knew the players on the Berlin teams (and) he took the time to learn the players on the opposing team. So, it was a professional, balanced broadcast and he certainly conveyed the excitement of the game to the listeners.”

After one of his first times on the job, he asked his father what he thought of the way he was reading the news. “It was good,” said Charley, who passed away in 1962 from lung cancer at the age of 46, “but don’t read it like you’re performing Shakespeare.”

In his early years of broadcasting hockey, there were only four high school teams in New Hampshire — Concord,  Hanover, and rivals Berlin High School and Notre Dame High School. That presented a challenge to Ross, a Berlin High grad since Notre Dame was on top of the rivalry in those years. He admits that he might have shown a bias for Berlin only because the Notre Dame team was so dominant.

His radio career also found him broadcasting the Berlin Maroons games, a favorite team of the North Country.  He would also broadcast a few University of New Hampshire games.

Ross moved to The Villages in Florida in 2003 with his wife, Debbie, where he is the official spokesperson for the Red Sox Nation Club at The Villages. He has interviewed such notables as Rico Petrocelli, Pedro Martinez and Luis Tiant. He has also become a personal friend of Claudia Williams, the daughter of baseball great Ted Williams.

Ross credits his father for giving him the best advice for sports broadcasting: “You have to remember that the people listening can’t see what you are seeing. It is not good enough just to describe what’s happening. You have to paint a picture for them.”

A Berlin, New Hampshire Native, Rod Blackburn became the University of New Hampshire’s first ever all-American in 1961.

His goaltending career began at Notre Dame High School, perennial New Hampshire schoolboy champions in the 1950’s. In 1957, Blackburn helped guide Notre Dame beyond the state title to its first New England schoolboy championship.

As a freshman at U.N.H. in 1957-58, he averaged 60 saves per game on the freshman team, and in one contest against Boston University, he stopped 102 shots as his team lost 8-0. This noteworthy performance attracted national media attention and was reported in “Faces in the Crowd” section of Sports Illustrated’s March 1958 issue, dedicated to superb feats by athletes all over the world.  As U.N.H. team captain in 1961, Rod averaged 42 saves per game and was considered by many U.S. College Coaches as the best goaltender in college hockey, east or west. He was a post season selection to the All-New England, All-East and finally to the NCAA First Team All-American Team.

Blackburn made the transition to Senior Hockey with the Berlin Maroons Hockey Club, finalist at the 1961 and 1962 National AHA tournaments. At each of these tournaments, he was selected tournament Most Valuable Player.

Following commissioned service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Rod played with the St. Paul Steers of the U.S. Hockey League in 1965. In 1966 he was selected and played as a member of the U.S. National Hockey Team for the World Tournament in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia and again in 1967 for the world Tournament in Vienna, Austria.

In 1983, Rod was inducted into the U.N.H. Athletic Hall of Fame.

Robert R. Tardif

• Graduate of Berlin High School, class of 1943.
• U.S. Air Corp veteran with service in World War II.
• Coach and mentor for the City of Concord Youth Hockey at the Whites Park outdoor rink in 1964.
• Served as coach, and general manager for the Concord Shamrocks in 1964-65. The adult league Shamrocks set the stage for the Concord Coachmen and an indoor arena in Concord.
• Served as a member of the Board of Directors at the newly built Douglas N. Everett Arena and began association with the Coachmen in 1966-67.
• Helped bring high school hockey to Bishop Brady High School in 1967.
• Director of player personnel and general manager for the Concord Eastern Olympics of the New England Hockey League from 1967 to 1974.
• Talent scout with the Boston Bruins from 1967 to 1974.
• Active in senior hockey with the Concord Budmen, organizing charity events and coaching from 1975-76 to 1990.
• Known as “Mr. Hockey in Concord.”

Rick Middleton is known to a generation of Boston Bruins fans as a skilled right winger whose play embodied his nickname – “Nifty” – and who scored nearly 1,000 points in his NHL career, but he’ll enter the Hall of Fame as a coach thanks to one amazing triumph in 2002.

In 2001, Middleton had been out of pro hockey for 13 years when he was contacted by a friend of his from the U.S. National Ski Team. The friend mentioned that the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team was seeking a coach for the 2002 Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City.

Middleton applied for the job and got it, knowing he had an enormous task. The Americans had only won one game – a consolation game – four years earlier in Nagano, and had fared poorly at the recent World Championships. They would be seeded sixth of six teams at the 2002 Games, where Norway and Canada were considered big favorites.

“It was an eye-opener for me,” said Middleton. “I’d never really been around disabled people in my life. I wondered things like, ‘Should I hold the door for them?’ In fact, it was the opposite that was true. They were so able, it’s scary.”

Middleton, who has called Hampton home since 1997, needed to build team chemistry and get his team to play better positional hockey. He wanted his team to get better at cycling the puck on offense to extend possessions and play an ‘I’ formation on defense to reduce the number of breakaways allowed.

“Rick did a remarkable job in bringing the players together, rebuilding their self-confidence, and devising new offenses and defensive strategies,” said Rich DeGlopper, then the president of the U.S. Sled Hockey Association.

The Americans outscored their six opponents 26-6, beating Norway, 4-3, in a shootout in the gold-medal game with Kip St. Germaine scoring the winning goal. The Americans have since medaled in every Paralympics, becoming the first country to win back-to-back gold medals in 2010 and ’14.

In Boston, playing on some excellent Bruins teams, he had five straight seasons of at least 40 goals and 90 points. In 1981-82 he scored a career-high 51 goals and won the Lady Byng Trophy for excellence and sportsmanship.

Richard W. Osborne

In 1966, Dick relocated to Concord, NH and began broadcasting ice hockey for WKXL doing Concord High School, Bishop Brady High School and Concord Coachmen/Eastern Olympics games.

In 1979, Dick became the “Voice of UNH Hockey” through the WTSN originated Wildcats Sports Network. The 2003-04 season is the 25th season of calling UNH games and his 43rd season of radio play-by-play broadcast of ice hockey, the last 38 years have been from New Hampshire for New Hampshire teams.

In the mid 1980’s, Dick took over the origination of the Wildcat Sports Network and managed the network through the 1998-99 season. Subsequently, he took ownership and expanded the coverage to five radio stations and 65 regular season game broadcasts. When UNH took ownership, Dick became the executive producer in addition to continuing his play-by-play duties broadcasting all 35 regular and all post season Wildcat men’s hockey games.

Dick was elected New Hampshire Sportscaster of the Year four times by his peers in the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association in 1980, 1993, 1995 and 1997.

Dick has won numerous awards from the New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters and the New Hampshire Associated Press Broadcasters Association for his play-by-play of both high school and UNH hockey. Dick currently resides in Michigan with is wife, Jesse.

His hockey career began in grammar school where he starred on the Angel Guardian team and won two Parks and Recreation League titles in 1948 and 1949. Dick played defense on the Notre Dame’ varsity team during four seasons from 1949 through 1953. Notre Dame won four state championships during his tenure and Dick also participated in four New England High School Championship Tournaments held in Providence, RI.

From 1953 to 1967, Dick played fourteen consecutive years as a defenseman for the Berlin Maroons, he was a key defenseman and instrumental on the teams in 1954 and 1967, that won two New England Championships and two Senior Amateur Hockey Association’s United States National Championships.

After his playing career ended in 1967, Dick continued his involvement in ice hockey as a registered referee with the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association and the United States Amateur Hockey Association from 1967 to 1973. Dick refereed games throughout New England at the senior amateur, collegiate and high school levels.

In 2000 because of his playing abilities in High School Hockey, Dick received the honor of being given honorable mention on the All New Hampshire Millennium Team as a defenseman.

Richard R. Roy, MD

The late Dr. Roy grew up in Berlin, but it was the contributions he made to Rochester, where he moved in 1962, that still impact hockey in the state. He was one of the men responsible for starting the Rochester Youth Hockey Association in the early 1970s, and he gave back to the community in ways that included, but were not limited to, fundraising for a new rink and inspiring others to donate their time.

Born in Berlin in 1931, he spent one year at Notre Dame High School and then attended St. Charles School in Sherbrooke Canada. He graduated from the University of Montreal, where he attended medical school. After serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy in Portsmouth, he made his home in Rochester, where he opened his private practice and was the first pediatrician on staff at Frisbee Memorial Hospital. He would practice there for 35 years.

“Doc” Roy, as he was known by many in the community, was heavily involved in it, serving as chairman of the school board at Holy Rosary School and on the parish council at Holy Rosary Parish, and he was the team doctor and coach for many sports teams in town.

By the late 1960s, Roy and some of his colleagues began taking steps to grow the game in the area. In 1969, Berwick Academy coach Pop Whalen wanted to upgrade the school’s outdoor rink and the boards were donated to Rochester to replace the current rink at the school grounds.

Roy reached out to parents from the community and three of his friends — Skip Kendall of Kendall Insurance, Charles Baxter Jr. of Baxter Woolen Mills and Jim Bisbee of Varney’s Insurance — to sponsor the teams by providing jerseys, pants and socks. This four-team league was the start of the Rochester Youth Hockey Association.

With Roy serving as its president for the first three years, the RYHA grew from four neighborhood teams to over 200 participants. With the money being raised, he applied a down payment for a new indoor rink in town, getting local businesses on board to support it. He went to fi ve other local communities — Dover, Somersworth, Oyster River, Portsmouth and York, Maine — for commitments to start youth programs and created what would eventually become Seacoast Hockey League.

In 2008, the Rochester Ice Arena was renamed the Dr. Roy Ice Arena. In 2015, Roy was posthumously inducted into the Rochester Sports Hall of Fame as a contributor, two years after he’d passed away at the age of 82.

“When it comes to youth hockey contributions over the last 40 years, he ranks at the top,” said Rochester Sports Hall of Fame chairman John Creteau. “It’s obvious when you look at (former Spaulding High School coach) Paul George’s program and the many state hockey championships for Spaulding over the years. We thank God for Dr. Roy, as he is one individual who has made an impact in the lives of a lot of children.”

Richard P. Ryerson

Dick played hockey at St. Paul’s School during the 1943-44 and 1944-45 seasons, and during his senior-year vacations traveled south to play for the Jamaica Hawks in the New York Metropolitan League. He also played football and baseball and track and was awarded the Gordon Medal for the Best All-Around Athlete and Sportsman.

After his 1945 graduation from St. Paul’s School, Dick served in the US Armed Forces for two years.

After his honorable discharge, he enrolled at Princeton University and played hockey during the 1947-48 season and part of the 1948-49 season. After leaving Princeton, he played three seasons for the Schenectady Generals of the New York State League. In 1952-53, he began teaching and coaching at the Berkshire School where he played hockey for the New Milford Tomahawks for two of his three years. The Tomahawks, during his tenure, were runners-up in the A.H.A. National Championships. In 1955-56, he returned to school, enrolling at Wesleyan University where he played hockey and graduated in 1958.

In 1958-59, he began a 12-year stay at the Tilton School in New Hampshire as a history teacher, serving also as head hockey coach and athletic director. His teams in the very competitive Lakes Region League played against New Hampton, Holderness, Proctor, Brewster, Berwick, Fryeburg Academy and Vermont Academy. In 12 seasons, Tilton won five Lakes Region Championships. In addition, they played Middlebury, UNH, Bowdoin and Dartmouth freshman teams.

In the early to mid-Sixties, while working at the Tilton School, Dick played forward for the Laconia Lakers in the Granite State Hockey League.

In 1970, he began a tenure at Concord High School as Assistant Hockey Coach while teaching at Rundlett Junior High School in the Capital City. In 1973, he became Head Hockey Coach, overseeing the program for the next six seasons. Ultimately, Dick led the Crimson Tide to two state championships. In 1977, Concord defeated Bishop Guertin,
3-2, and in 1979 defeated Bishop Brady, 6-1. In 1975 and 1978, his teams were runners-up.

He was named Coach of the Year in New Hampshire in 1977 and 1979.

He also coached in the Concord Youth Hockey system at all levels and coached at the Exeter Summer Hockey School for more than 10 years.

Richard P. Ryerson

Dick played hockey at St. Paul’s School during the 1943-44 and 1944-45 seasons, and during his senior-year vacations traveled south to play for the Jamaica Hawks in the New York Metropolitan League. He also played football and baseball and track and was awarded the Gordon Medal for the Best All-Around Athlete and Sportsman.

After his 1945 graduation from St. Paul’s School, Dick served in the US Armed Forces for two years.

After his honorable discharge, he enrolled at Princeton University and played hockey during the 1947-48 season and part of the 1948-49 season. After leaving Princeton, he played three seasons for the Schenectady Generals of the New York State League. In 1952-53, he began teaching and coaching at the Berkshire School where he played hockey for the New Milford Tomahawks for two of his three years. The Tomahawks, during his tenure, were runners-up in the A.H.A. National Championships. In 1955-56, he returned to school, enrolling at Wesleyan University where he played hockey and graduated in 1958.

In 1958-59, he began a 12-year stay at the Tilton School in New Hampshire as a history teacher, serving also as head hockey coach and athletic director. His teams in the very competitive Lakes Region League played against New Hampton, Holderness, Proctor, Brewster, Berwick, Fryeburg Academy and Vermont Academy. In 12 seasons, Tilton won five Lakes Region Championships. In addition, they played Middlebury, UNH, Bowdoin and Dartmouth freshman teams.

In the early to mid-Sixties, while working at the Tilton School, Dick played forward for the Laconia Lakers in the Granite State Hockey League.

In 1970, he began a tenure at Concord High School as Assistant Hockey Coach while teaching at Rundlett Junior High School in the Capital City. In 1973, he became Head Hockey Coach, overseeing the program for the next six seasons. Ultimately, Dick led the Crimson Tide to two state championships. In 1977, Concord defeated Bishop Guertin,
3-2, and in 1979 defeated Bishop Brady, 6-1. In 1975 and 1978, his teams were runners-up.

He was named Coach of the Year in New Hampshire in 1977 and 1979.

He also coached in the Concord Youth Hockey system at all levels and coached at the Exeter Summer Hockey School for more than 10 years.

Dick is one of the legendary hockey players to come from Hockey Town USA (Berlin). His hockey career began in grammar school where he starred on the Angel Guardian team and won two Parks and Recreation championships. Dick played wing for three years on the Notre Dame varsity team from 1950 through 1953. Notre Dame won three state championships during his tenure and Dick also participated in three New England High School Championships held in Providence, RI.

From 1953 to 1962, Dick played for the Berlin Maroons, in 1954 he played wing on the team that won the Senior Amateur Hockey Association’s U.S. National Championship.

From 1962 to 1965, Dick played for the Concord Shamrocks, and the Alpine Hockey Club when a serious injury ended his playing career.

Dick was one of the original organizers of the Manchester Blackhawks and was the team business manager from 1965 through 1971.

Because of his playing abilities in High School Hockey and at the Senior Amateur Level, Richard received the honor of being given honorable mention on the All New Hampshire Millennium Team.

Richard is the Chairman of the Board was the prime organizer of the New Hampshire Legends of Hockey.

Rich Ryerson stood out at St. Paul’s School before moving on to Dartmouth College and helping the Big Green reach the Frozen Four in back-to-back seasons.

Growing up in Concord, Ryerson left his mark at St. Paul’s, competing on the varsity team for four seasons. For his last three seasons, his coach was Legends of Hockey Hall of Famer (Class of 2006) Bill Matthews, who took over the program in the 1973-74 season and called Ryerson one of the fi nest players he ever coached.

“Rich had a burning desire to win and (was) always unselfish,” said Matthews. “He helped, along with several other Concord-area players, to get St. Paul’s hockey back to a place of respect in New England hockey. I’m honestly surprised he had anything left in the tank for college hockey, as I had him on the ice all the time – 6-on-6, man down, power play.”

After a freshman season that saw St. Paul’s go 11-2, Ryerson helped the team finish second in the Northern Division as a sophomore. In his junior year, he scored 38 points and the team reached the Southern Division championship game, losing to Thayer, 5-2.

As a senior, he served as co-captain and received the Gordon Medal at the end of the year for being the school’s best all-around athlete.

After that it was on to Dartmouth, where he would end up skating in 111 games, including at least 25 in each of his four seasons.

He burst onto the college scene by scoring 11 goals and adding seven assists as a freshman. In his sophomore year, he added another eight goals to his total and finished with 10 points.

In his junior and senior seasons, he was a key part of some superb teams that featured fellow Class of 2018 Legends Hall of Famer Bob Gaudet in goal. Ryerson, who primarily skated on the wing, was known as a player who could be relied upon to perform in all situations.

As a junior, he was part of a Dartmouth team that reached the Frozen Four in Detroit, where it lost to North Dakota, 4-2, at the Olympia Stadium. Ryerson assisted on a goal in a 7-3 win over UNH in the third-place game.

The next year, in the ECAC Hockey semifinal game against Clarkson in the old Boston Garden, he scored two goals to propel Dartmouth to a win and a trip to the championship against Cornell. The Big Green also returned to the Frozen Four in Providence, R.I., where they fell to North Dakota again, 4-1. Ryerson’s last college point was an assist in the third-place game against Cornell.

He finished his Dartmouth career with 29 goals and 26 assists for 55 points. He is currently the associate director of admissions at Kimball Union Academy.