Bill Riley (ice hockey, born 1950) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bill Riley |
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| Born | September 20, 1950 Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb) | ||
| Position | Right wing | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | Washington Capitals Winnipeg Jets |
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| NHL Draft | Undrafted | ||
| Playing career | 1974–1984 | ||
William James Riley (born September 20, 1950) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was the third Black player to play in the National Hockey League (NHL). Bill Riley played for the Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets between 1974 and 1980. He also spent many years playing in minor hockey leagues. His career lasted from 1974 to 1984.
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Bill Riley's Early Life and Hockey Start
Bill Riley grew up in a family with limited money. His parents worked hard to make sure he had the hockey equipment he needed. They wanted him to play the sport he loved.
Even though there were not many Black players in hockey at the time, Bill kept playing. He played for the Amherst Ramblers for two seasons. Back then, he did not think he would play hockey professionally.
How Bill Riley Was Discovered
In 1973, Bill was working in a factory. He was also playing senior hockey for the Kitimat Eagles team. He was a great player, scoring many points.
A future NHL coach named Tom McVie noticed Bill. McVie was looking for new players for his team, the Dayton Gems. He invited Bill to try out for the team. Bill accepted and joined the team in 1974.
Bill Riley's Professional Hockey Career
Bill Riley got a chance to try out for the Washington Capitals in their very first season, 1974-75. He played in one game for them. However, he spent most of his time playing in the minor leagues, especially with the Dayton Gems.
Playing for the Capitals and Jets
The Washington Capitals later signed Bill as a free agent in 1976. He played for the Capitals for parts of the next three seasons.
In 1979, the Winnipeg Jets chose Bill in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft. He played 14 games for them before being sent back to the minor leagues. He played for teams like the New Brunswick Hawks, Moncton Alpines, and the Nova Scotia Voyageurs. Bill retired from playing hockey after the 1983-84 season.
Bill Riley as a Player-Coach
After his NHL career, Bill became a player-coach and captain for the St. John's Capitals. This was a team in the Newfoundland Senior Hockey League in the late 1980s.
Bill Riley's Coaching Career
After he stopped playing professionally, Bill Riley started coaching in 1989. He became the head coach for the Amherst Ramblers.
Later, he was the head coach, general manager, and director of player personnel for the Miramichi Timberwolves. He also coached the Moncton Wildcats during the 1996-97 season.
Bill Riley's Personal Life
Bill Riley was roommates with another player, Dave Feamster. They once hunted a deer to provide food for Bill and his family.
Bill Riley's son, Billy Jr., passed away in a vehicle accident in 2011 at age 35.
In 2017, Bill saw a TV show about Toronto Maple Leafs legend Bill Barilko. Bill Riley then asked his daughter, Tracey, to clean Barilko's tombstone.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Bill Riley received several awards and honors during his career:
- Calder Cup (as a player) - 1982
- Callaghan Cup (as a coach) - 1990
- Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame - 1998
- His number 8 jersey was retired by the Amherst Ramblers - 2013
Career Statistics
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1968–69 | Amherst Ramblers | MJHL | 48 | 32 | 32 | 64 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1969–70 | Amherst Ramblers | MJHL | 30 | 34 | 28 | 62 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1970–71 | Amherst Square M's | MJHL | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1971–72 | Kitimat Eagles | BCSHL | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1972–73 | Kitimat Eagles | BCSHL | 40 | 56 | 32 | 88 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1973–74 | Kitimat Eagles | BCSHL | 40 | 76 | 42 | 118 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1974–75 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1974–75 | Dayton Gems | IHL | 63 | 12 | 16 | 28 | 279 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 29 | ||
| 1975–76 | Dayton Gems | IHL | 69 | 35 | 31 | 66 | 301 | 15 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 54 | ||
| 1976–77 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 43 | 13 | 14 | 27 | 124 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1976–77 | Dayton Gems | IHL | 30 | 19 | 15 | 34 | 69 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1977–78 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 57 | 13 | 12 | 25 | 125 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1978–79 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 24 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 64 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1978–79 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 51 | 15 | 15 | 30 | 118 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | ||
| 1979–80 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 14 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1979–80 | Nova Scotia Voyageurs | AHL | 63 | 31 | 33 | 64 | 157 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1980–81 | New Brunswick Hawks | AHL | 46 | 12 | 25 | 37 | 107 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 49 | ||
| 1981–82 | New Brunswick Hawks | AHL | 80 | 32 | 30 | 62 | 104 | 15 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 6 | ||
| 1982–83 | Moncton Alpines | AHL | 73 | 33 | 30 | 63 | 134 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1983–84 | Nova Scotia Voyageurs | AHL | 78 | 24 | 24 | 48 | 79 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 8 | ||
| 1986–87 | St. John's Capitals | NFLD | 44 | 29 | 33 | 62 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1987–88 | St. John's Capitals | NFLD | 37 | 39 | 63 | 102 | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | St. John's Capitals | NFLD | 29 | 25 | 36 | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| AHL totals | 391 | 147 | 157 | 304 | 699 | 47 | 14 | 16 | 30 | 73 | ||||
| NHL totals | 139 | 31 | 30 | 61 | 320 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
