Robert "Bob" F. Perani (August 7, 1942 – April 15, 2012) was a professional ice hockey goaltender for the Flint Generals in the International Hockey League. He was also the founder of Perani's Hockey World sports retail chain in 1976,[1] and owned the naming rights for the Perani Arena and Event Center. Perani died on April 15, 2012, while traveling on an international flight from Detroit to Tokyo.[2][3]
| Robert (Bob) Perani | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
August 7, 1942 Rome, Italy | ||
| Died |
April 15, 2012 (aged 69) in flight/en route from Detroit to Tokyo | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) | ||
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| IHL team | Flint Generals | ||
| Playing career | 1969–1974 | ||
Perani was born in Italy in 1942 and moved to Canada with his family in 1953, settling near Toronto.[4] He attended St. Lawrence University where he was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity.[5] He played for a number of leagues in Michigan and Ontario. He and his wife Kris moved to Flint in the late 1960s and never left. Kris died from cancer in 2006.The following year, as part of the 'Perani Group', he bought the Flint Generals. He retired as a player after the 1974 season and went into the pizza business and in 1976 started "Bob Perani's Sports Shop".[6]
Perani retired to Thailand and died on a flight from Detroit to Tokyo en route to Thailand.[7]
Career edit
- Hamilton Tiger Cubs 1959-1960 - 1 game
- Toronto Marlboros 1960-1961 - 3 games
- Whitby Mohawks 1961-1962 - 30 games
ECAC Hockey - Division I (NCAA)
- St. Lawrence University Saints 1963-1966 - 63 games
- Muskegon Mohawks 1967-1968; 1968-1969 76 games
- Flint Generals 1969-1970; 1970-1974 142 games
- Springfield Kings 1967-1968, 1968-1969 7 games
- Toronto Marlboros 1967-1968 - 0 games
- Barrie Flyers 1969-1970 10 games
Source:[8]
Awards and honors edit
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| All-ECAC Hockey First Team | 1963–64 |
| AHCA East All-American | 1963–64 |
| ECAC Hockey All-Tournament First Team | 1964 |
- James Norris Memorial Trophy - 1968/1969 with teammate Tim Tabor with the Muskegon Mohawks
References edit
- ^ "Hockey Equipment, Hockey Skates, Hockey Sticks, Goalie Gear | HockeyWorld". Archived from the original on 2014-08-20. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
- ^ Flint hockey legend and businessman Bob Perani dies NBC 25, April 15, 2012
- ^ Former businessman and Generals hockey player dies WNEM, April 16, 2012
- ^ "Daughter of Flint businessman Bob Perani says he always helped others". 16 April 2012.
- ^ Ham, Thomas E. (Spring 1964). "Orchids To" (PDF). The Emerald of Sigma Pi. Vol. 51, no. 1. p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-20. Retrieved 2016-12-21.
- ^ "Flint hockey legend Bob Perani passes away - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI". Archived from the original on 2012-04-17. Retrieved 2012-04-17.
- ^ "The Malik Report - Kukla's Korner".
- ^ "Bob Perani Stats and Profile". hockeydb.com.