Richard F. Canning
Richard Francis Canning (April 29, 1912 – August 6, 1990) was an American attorney who was the president of the American Hockey League from 1957 to 1961.
Legal career
[edit]Canning was born on April 29, 1912 in Providence, Rhode Island to Joseph P. and Mary V. Canning.[1] He graduated from Brown University in 1932 and Harvard Law School in 1935.[2] He was admitted to the Rhode Island bar in 1935 and practiced with Letts & Quinn and its successor firms, Letts, Quinn, & Licht and Licht & Semonoff.[3] He also served as the city solicitor of Cranston, Rhode Island.[2]
American Hockey League
[edit]In 1945, Canning became the legal counsel for the Rhode Island Auditorium. In this role, Canning was also involved with the AHL's Providence Reds.[4] In 1952, Reds owner Louis Pieri resigned as club president following a dispute with American Hockey League president Maurice Podoloff. Canning succeeded him as team president and took his seat on the league's board of directors.[5]
Canning was elected vice president of the AHL in 1954 and was promoted to executive vice president three years later.[6][7] On October 7, 1957, Canning was elected president of the American Hockey League, a position he held until 1961, when he resigned to focus on his law practice.[8][9][10]
He returned to the role as governor for the Reds and in 1974 became the AHL's as vice president and general counsel.[4][11] In 1972, Canning received the James C. Hendy Memorial Award, which is given annually to an executive who has made the most outstanding contribution to the American Hockey League.[12] In 1990, the league honored Canning with the Richard F. Canning Trophy, which is awarded to the Eastern Conference playoff champions.[4][11]
Canning died on August 6, 1990, in Providence. He was 78 years old.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Alphabetical Index of the Births, Marriages and Deaths Recorded in Providence. Providence: The Oxford Press. 1922. p. 179. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ a b Gurney, Alfred H. (March 1945). "Brunonians Far and Near". Brown Alumni Monthly: 175. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Richard F. Canning; lawyer, official in AHL". Providence Journal. August 7, 1990.
- ^ a b c "AHL names trophy in honor of Canning". Providence Journal. June 24, 1990.
- ^ "Loses Protest, Quits AHL Board". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 31, 1952. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ Snow, Douglas A (July 1954). "Brunonians Far and Near". Brown Alumni Monthly. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "Chick Steps Down As A.H.L. Prexy". The Windsor Daily Star. June 18, 1957. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "Richard F. Canning Elected A.H.L. Head". The Boston Globe. October 8, 1957.
- ^ "Canning Heads Hockey Loop". The New York Times. October 8, 1957.
- ^ "AHL Searching For New Head". The Altus Times-Democrat. June 21, 1961. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Richard F. Canning Trophy". American Hockey League Hall of Fame. AHL Hall of Fame. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "James C. Hendy Memorial Award". American Hockey League Hall of Fame. AHL Hall of Fame. Retrieved 28 December 2023.