2020 Power 50: Cliff Rucker

Cliff Rucker, owner of Worcester Railers Hockey Club and the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center

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Cliff Rucker

Title: Owner
Companies: Worcester Railers Hockey Club and the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center Residences
Locations: Danvers & Worcester
College: Tufts University

Rucker is an unlikely champion of Worcester’s sports scene and its real estate market.

Rucker, who owns and runs three companies on the North Shore — working in equipment leasing, and asset and property management — had no connection to Worcester before founding the Railers. But he had a love of hockey, especially family-friendly and affordable hockey, and he had a good sense for potential in properties when he sees them.

Few, if any, minor league sports owners could be expected to do what Rucker’s done since buying the team. He’s built the $18-million Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center, the practice facility for the Railers, host to other area college and high school teams, and home to Bay State Brewing Co. and Steam Energy Cafe; opened the since-closed Railers Tavern across from the DCU Center; and bought all or a stake in a trio of buildings along Main Street: the Palladium, a building hosting the restaurant deadhorse hill, and a 110-year-old multi-tenant office building.

What makes Central Mass. unique? The Central Massachusetts community works hard together to achieve economic success. Nothing is handed to us.

More of a spectator: While I own a professional hockey team, I can’t actually skate.

Power 50: View the entire Power 50 Class of 2020