Bill Riley

Bill Riley
Born (1950-09-20) September 20, 1950
Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada
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
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 1974–1984

William James Riley (born September 20, 1950) is a Canadian retired ice hockey player, and was the third black player in the National Hockey League.[1]

Riley was given a tryout with the Washington Capitals during their inaugural season and actually played in one game, but he spent most of his time in the minors, primarily with the Dayton Gems. It was during this time that he played under future Capitals' coach Tom McVie. He would eventually be signed as a free agent by the Capitals during the 1976–77 NHL season and would play for the Capitals in parts of the next three seasons.

Riley was claimed by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft, but only played in 14 games before he was sent to the minors, where he played until he retired following the 1983–84 season.

Riley was player-coach and captain of the St. John's Caps located in Newfoundland for a number of years during the late 1980s.

After retiring from professional play, Riley moved into coaching. He was the head coach, general manager and director of player personnel of the Miramichi Timberwolves of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League. He also served as head coach of the Moncton Wildcats during the 1996–97 season, finishing with a 16–52–2 record.

References

  1. ↑ Aubé, Benjamin (May 22, 2017). "Barilko's gravestone cleaned as one former NHLer honours another". timminspress.com. Timmins. Retrieved February 9, 2018. Riley became just the third black man to play in the NHL, following in the strides of Willie O'Ree and Mike Marson


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