LATEST | Former NHL forward and head coach passes away at age 80
We have some sad news to report on in the hockey world on Sunday morning. It's been announced by the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs that former player Bill MacMillan has passed away at the age of 80.
The Charlottetown, PEI native spent parts of seven seasons in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta Flames and New York Islanders, recording 151 points (74 goals, 77 assists) and 184 penalty minutes in 446 career games. He went on to add 12 points in 53 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, MacMillan's first NHL team, released a statement on their Twitter account on Sunday morning.
Bill represented Canada on the International stage several times before making his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs in 1970.
Our thoughts and condolences are with Bill's family."
After MacMillan retired in 1978, he decided to get into coaching and was behind the bench in 1980 as an assistant when the New York Islanders hoisted their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. From there, he would go on to become the head coach of the Colorado Rockies in 1980-81, before signing on to be the first-ever bench boss of the New Jersey Devils in 1982, a role he held for two seasons.
Our thoughts are with MacMillan's family and friends at this difficult time.
