Rucker became an instant major player in the Central Mass. economy in 2015 when he announced the return of Worcester minor league hockey, and he hasn’t let up since. Rucker’s Railers team saw only a 4% drop in attendance for its 2018-2019 season, following a very buzzy inaugural year. His involvement in the discussions with the Pawtucket Red Sox was integral in convincing the baseball team minor league sports could thrive in Central Mass.
He has continued to build up his real estate holdings, adding tenants like the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce to his 311 Main St. building in Worcester. The Worcester Ice Center is home to two restaurants, and Rucker owns another in the Railers Sports Tavern. Rucker and the team have donated $300,000 annually to local community organizations while its flagship program, Skate to Success, teaches 2,500 Worcester fourth graders to ice skate.
Where is the Central Mass. community headed? The sky is the limit. The momentum is contagious.
Maybe the fourth graders could teach him: While I own a professional hockey team, I can’t actually skate.
Check out each member of WBJ’s Power 50 Class of 2019
Â
