Canadian left-winger Hilton Ruggles came to Britain in August 1988, after spells in Austria, Germany, Italy and France. During 19 seasons he scored over 1,000 goals for eight clubs, gaining championship medals and All-Star recognition.
In his first of four seasons with Whitley his 104 goals and 103 assists took Warriors to the Heineken Championships semi-final at Wembley. The hockey writers voted him into the All-Star sextet.
After a brief spell in Edinburgh in autumn 1992 Hilton joined the ambitious Cardiff club. He revitalised the Devils ending as their best scorer on 178 points. A second All-Star accolade topped his B&H Autumn Cup, Premier Division championship and play-off medals. Twelve months on back at Wembley Arena, after opening the scoring in both the semi and final he had added second consecutive league and championships medals to his collection. The following season he was again Cardiff’s highest point’s scorer.
In 1995, Ruggles joined first year Manchester in the BL Division 1. His 112 goals being more than one fifth of Storm’s division winning total. With the creation of the Superleague the next summer, he was back at the top level of British hockey. A runners-up league medal came his way in 1998 as he continued to add to Manchester’s goals and assists alongside the high quality imports of the new set-up.
After moving to Newcastle Riverkings for two campaigns he signed with the new Coventry club in the British National League in autumn 2000. His 47 goals and 51 assists headed the Blaze scorers, earning a third All-Star First Team rating. Two winters on Coventry, with Ruggles joined the sophomore Elite League. Not out of place among the younger imports his 45 points helped secure a league bronze. He also helped out in the back office, first as commercial manager, then with customer relations.
Autumn 2004 saw him return to where it all began – Tyneside, as Hilton, now 41 signed with Newcastle for a final winter of British hockey. His 63 matches yielded 63 points to assist Vipers as runners-up in both the BNL and Winter Cup.
Hilton Ruggles was born in Montreal on 1 June 1963. Progressing up through the juvenile ranks he spent 1980-84 in the Quebec Major Junior League before moving to Europe. His strengths were toughness in the corners, excellent stick handing skills, and the knack of being at the right place near his opponents’ goal. Standing at six feet, weighing 182 pounds, and shooting left, his total competition statistics in Britain are - GP 946 games, 1,096 goals, 929 assists with 2,200 PIM.
Compiled by Martin C Harris - May 2009