| Born: | Dec 2, 1934 | Draft: | Undrafted |
| Hometown: | Sundridge, Ontario | Position: | Left Wing |
| Known For: | 3x AHL Calder Cup Champion | Shoots: | Left |
| National Team: | Canada |
Bill McCreary Sr. (December 2, 1934 — November 25, 2019) was a Canadian ice hockey player, having played his final year in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues during the 1970-1971 season. Undrafted at the NHL level, McCreary Sr. earned notoriety as a member of the Guelph Biltmores in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA-Jr.). In 1954, during his third season with the Biltmores, McCreary Sr. made his NHL debut, playing two games with the New York Rangers. He recorded two penalty minutes and no points, and followed it up the next season with two assists in eight games with the Rangers.
After a full season with the Edmonton Flyers of the Western Hockey League (WHL-Sr.), McCreary Sr. scored his first NHL goal as a member of the Detroit Red Wings. He returned to the WHL-Sr. to continue playing for the Flyers before eventually moving on to the American Hockey League. He enjoyed success in four years with the Springfield Indians, including an 87-point season in 1960, leading up to his return to the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens, where he recorded two goals and five points in 14 games.
In 1963, McCreary Sr. joined the CPHL (Central Hockey League), a league created that year by founder Jack Adams, playing two seasons with the Omaha Knights and two more with the Houston Apollos. He re-joined the NHL in 1967, joining the Blues, and finally earning his full-time role in a lineup. McCreary Sr. amassed 107 points in 282 games with the Blues, spanning over four seasons, before announcing his retirement at the conclusion of the 1970-71 season.
Bill McCreary Sr. Statistics
Deeper Dive
Staff History
- Omaha Knights, CPHL (Player-Coach) 1963-1965
- Denver Spurs, WHL-Sr. (Head Coach) 1971-72
- St. Louis Blues (Head Coach) 1971-72
- Vancouver Canucks (Head Coach) 1973-74
- California Golden Seals (Head Coach) 1974-1975
Achievements
- 3x AHL Calder Cup Champion (1960, 1961, 1962)
- CPHL – First All-Star Team (1964)