Bill Riley, First African Nova Scotian to Play in NHL, Remembered as Inspiration

Amherst-born NHL player Billy Riley dies, 75

Billy Riley, an Amherst native who became the third Black player in the National Hockey League and later served as coach of the Moncton Wildcats, has died. He was 75.

Bill Riley, first African Nova Scotian to play in NHL, remembered as inspiration

Bill Riley, the first African Nova Scotian and third Black player in the NHL, has died at 75. He coached in the Maritime junior league, including in Amherst, where he is remembered as a pillar of the community.

Former NHLer, St. John’s Capitals Player and Coach Bill Riley Passes Away

A man whose name is synonymous with senior hockey in its heyday in Newfoundland has passed. Bill Riley, who was hired as player/coach by the St. John’s Capitals in the mid-80s, came in on the back of a short NHL career with the Washington Capitals and the Winnipeg Jets. It was the days of the Bleacher Creatures at the old Memorial Stadium when a ticket wasn’t always easy to get. Riley, as no-nonsense a coach as there was, was from Amherst, Nova …

Former Capitals forward Bill Riley, the third Black player in NHL history, passes away at age 75

Former Washington Capitals forward Bill Riley passed away on Sunday. He was 75 years old. Riley, an Amherst, Nova Scotia native, was given a tryout by the Capitals ahead of the team’s inaugural 1974-75 season and made his debut with the club on December 26, 1974. In doing so, he became just the third Black player in NHL history after Willie O’Ree and Mike Marson. Riley and Marson both played for the Capitals that night in their 4-1 loss to the F…

Rest in Peace to Former Cap Bill Riley

Bill Riley, who played for the Washington Capitals in their first four seasons, passed away Sunday, according the the NHL Players Association.