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Bill Needham

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Bill Needham
Born (1932-01-12)January 12, 1932
Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada
Died January 25, 2022(2022-01-25) (aged 90)
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 1952–1972

Bill Needham (January 12, 1932 – January 25, 2022) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and coach.

Playing career

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Needham 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.

Later life

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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.

Needham died January 25, 2022, at the age of 90.[1]

Coaching record

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WHA

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Team Year Regular season Post season
G W L T Pts Division rank Result
Cleveland Crusaders 1972-73 78 43 32 3 89 2nd in East Lost in Division Finals
Cleveland Crusaders 1973-74 78 37 32 9 83 3rd in East Lost in Semifinals
WHA Total 156 80 64 12

College

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Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Massachusetts Redmen Independent (1950–1951)
1950–51 Massachusetts 0–7–0
Massachusetts: 0–7–0
Total: 0–7–0

References

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  1. ^ "WILLIAM NEEDHAM Obituary (2022) - Strongsville, OH - the Plain Dealer".
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