Co-founder of Barrington Youth Hockey Association (BYHA) 

The year was 1969, and the beginning of the 'Bobby Orr' era in hockey when most every town and youngster in New England was playing some form of hockey.

It was also the time when Barrington’s own hockey legends would come together to form the Barrington Youth Hockey Association, (BYHA), the predecessor to today's (BHS) varsity hockey team. 

As one of our founders, Buster Clegg, a long-time resident of Barrington, realized the growing popularity of hockey amongst the youth in the town and along with other like-minded individuals envisioned a future varsity hockey team for Barrington High School.

Not long after, this group formed Barrington's first youth hockey program, the Barrington Youth Hockey Association, (BYHA).

The stage was now set, and after a matter of three years, proving it's worth, the (BYHA) team was adopted into Barrington High School as a varsity sport.

Thanks to the years of adept coaching and support from Buster Clegg and this group of mentors, the now newly formed Barrington High School Hockey Team accomplished their ultimate goal, winning the RI State, Suburban Division Hockey championship in 1973. This was Barrington's, (BHS's) very first year in the league.

Sylvester "Buster" Clegg was born April 21, 1937, and grew up in Burrillville, R.I., known as a hotbed of hockey, especially at the high school level. 

He learned to skate and play the game as a kid on the town’s Granite Pond and eventually became a regular on defense for the Burrillville high school team coached by the legendary Tom Eccleston.

As a senior during the 1954-55 season, Buster capped his high school career by earning All-State honors on his Broncos’ team that captured the R.I. Interscholastic League championship.

After graduating from high school, Buster attended the University of New Hampshire where he played hockey for four years. He was named a team MVP and co-captained the Wildcats as a senior in 1959, helping to lead the Wildcats to a 14-5 record.

Upon graduation, Buster moved to Barrington, RI, and joined the staff of the R.I. Reds as publicity director of the American Hockey League team and the Rhode Island Auditorium. He served in several other administrative capacities before being named the team’s general manager in 1966. He was one of the youngest general managers in pro hockey and one of the first hockey executives to focus on U.S. collegiate hockey as a source of professional talent.

In 2020 Buster was recognized by the RI Hockey Hall of Fame with the Malcolm Greene Chace award, presented for "Achievement and Outstanding Service to the game of Hockey by a Rhode Islander"

Over his nearly 40 years as a coach, he instructed hundreds of young hockey players, instilling in them a love for the game. Many of his players went on to play high school, college and some to professional hockey. 

Barrington High School Hockey and BHS Alumni owe a great deal of gratitude to the memory of our own Hockey Legend, Buster Clegg.