Bill Needham

Bill Needham (born January 12, 1932) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey forward and coach.

Bill Needham
Born (1932-01-12) January 12, 1932
Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight 175 lb (79 kg; 12 st 7 lb)
Position Wing
Shot Left
Played for IHL
Grand Rapids Rockets
Toledo Hornets
WHL
New Westminster Royals
AHL
Cleveland Barons
Playing career 19521972

Playing career

Needham has played for the following minor league teams during his career: Grand Rapids Rockets, Valleyfield Braves, Glace Bay Miners, New Westminster Royals, North Bay Trappers, Toledo Hornets and Cleveland Barons. He holds the franchise record of most games played for the Cleveland Barons, a total of 981, where he spent 15 seasons of his career. In this span, Needham scored 62 goals and 246 assists.

Coaching career

Needham assumed the role of Coach-Player for the 1971/72 Toledo Hornets, but suited up to play in less than half of their games that year. From 1972-1974 he was the Cleveland Crusaders head coach in the World Hockey Association Goaltender Gerry Cheevers emerged as a star for The Crusaders, after several All-Star years with the NHL Boston Bruins.

WHA coaching record

TeamYearRegular seasonPost season
GWLTPtsDivision rankResult
Cleveland Crusaders1972-73 7843323892nd in EastLost in Division Finals
Cleveland Crusaders1973-74 7837329833rd in EastLost in Semifinals
NHL Total156806412
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