Introduction
Bill Needham (born January 12, 1932) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey forward and coach.
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
| 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 |
| NHL Total | 156 | 80 | 64 | 12 | ||||