Billy Reay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Billy Reay |
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Reay in 1973
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| Born | August 21, 1918 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
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| Died | September 23, 2004 (aged 86) Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. |
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| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) | ||
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Detroit Red Wings Montreal Canadiens |
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| Playing career | 1943–1953 | ||
William "Billy" Tulip Reay (born August 21, 1918 – died September 23, 2004) was a famous Canadian ice hockey player and coach. He played for ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). During his playing career, he won the exciting Stanley Cup twice! After playing, Billy Reay became a coach. He coached in the NHL from 1957 to 1959, and then again from 1963 to 1977. He is best known for coaching the Chicago Blackhawks. He led them to the Stanley Cup Finals three times. Even though his teams didn't win the Cup while he was coaching, Billy Reay won over 500 games as a head coach. When he retired, he was one of the coaches with the most wins in NHL history.
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Billy Reay's Amazing Hockey Journey
Billy Reay was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He had a long and successful career in ice hockey.
Playing Days: A Stanley Cup Champion
Billy Reay played in the NHL for ten seasons. He played for the Montreal Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings. In his career, he scored 105 goals and had 267 points. He also played in 63 playoff games.
He won the Stanley Cup two times with the Montreal Canadiens. These wins were in 1946 and 1953. He was a key player on those championship teams.
Billy Reay is also remembered for something special. In 1947, he scored a goal and raised his arms and stick to celebrate. Many people believe he was the first player ever to do this!
Coaching Career: Leading the Blackhawks
After his playing career, Billy Reay became a coach. He coached the Toronto Maple Leafs for a short time. Then, he became the head coach for the Chicago Black Hawks in 1963. He stayed with the Blackhawks until 1977.
He coached the Blackhawks for 14 years. This is the longest time anyone has coached the team. He also won the most games as a Chicago Black Hawks coach, with 516 wins!
Billy Reay led the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup Finals three times. These were in 1965, 1971, and 1973. Even though they didn't win the Cup, getting to the finals is a huge achievement. It shows how skilled and dedicated he was as a coach.
Billy Reay passed away in Madison, Wisconsin in 2004, at the age of 86, after an illness.
Awards and Achievements
Billy Reay earned many awards and achievements throughout his hockey career:
- Turnbull Cup MJHL Championship (1938)
- Memorial Cup Championship (1938)
- Allan Cup Championship (1944)
- Stanley Cup Championships (1946 & 1953)
- Played in NHL All-Star Game (1952)
- Calder Cup (AHL) Championship (1963)
- Selected for Manitoba's All-Century Second Team Coach
- Honoured Member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
