Bill Riley, first Black NHL player from Nova Scotia, dies at 75

Hockey icon Bill Riley from Amherst, N.S., has died.

Tributes are pouring in following the death of one of the first Black players in the National Hockey League.

The league’s Alumni Association says former winger Bill Riley died Sunday at the age of 75.

Riley was born in Amherst, N.S., in 1950 and played in the Pacific Northwest Hockey League in British Columbia in 1973.

He tried out for the Capitals the next year and became the third Black player in the NHL and the first Black NHL player from Nova Scotia.

Riley went on to play 125 games for Washington before joining the original Winnipeg Jets for the 1979-80 season.

He later captained the New Brunswick Hawks to the 1982 Calder Cup championship in the American Hockey League.

Riley was also the head coach and general manager of his hometown team, the Amherst Ramblers, in 1989-90.

“Billy was a cornerstone of the Amherst hockey community. His passion for the game, commitment to developing players, and unwavering support for local hockey left a lasting impact on countless athletes, coaches, and fans. Whether behind the scenes or at the rink, Bill’s presence helped shape the culture of hockey in Amherst and inspired generations to join the sport,” the Maritime Junior Hockey League said in a statement.

“Beyond our community, Bill’s influence was felt across North America. Through his dedication, knowledge, and love for hockey, he built connections and left a positive mark on the sport at every level he touched.”

In 1996, Riley was the first-ever head coach for the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League’s Moncton Wildcats.

He was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.

The Capitals say in an online tribute that Riley was a trailblazer who followed in the footsteps of players like New Brunswick’s Willie O’Ree and he left a lasting impact on the hockey community.

‘Amazing coach and person’

Longtime family friend Hal Davidson spoke to CTV News Atlantic from inside the Amherst Stadium on Monday where both he and Riley grew up playing their minor and junior hockey.

“Bill Riley was, in my opinion, the ultimate hockey player who dealt with a lot of adversity and that adversity was actually a great motivator for him,” said Davidson.

Davidson said his friend had been sick for some time and those close to him knew he was quite ill.

“His mother, who I call the matriarch of the African Nova Scotian community here, is in her mid-90s and trying to hold everything together for everyone,” said Davidson. “It’s just a tough, tough time for them and the community.”

As the third black player in the NHL, Davidson said Riley experienced a lot of racism throughout his career.

“It wasn’t only on the ice. If Billy was here today, he could probably write not only a book, but an encyclopedia full of the incidents that he would have both on the ice and off,” said Davidson.

Davidson recalled a story about the 1989-1990 Amherst Ramblers who were coached by Riley and won the Atlantic junior title that season.

“Billy didn’t believe that his championship team was properly recognized, so he bought them all championship rings. That was him giving back to the kids.”

Riley had great value as coach, Davidson said, but even more as a mentor.

“All kinds of people will come up and they talk about how their lives are different today because of Billy Riley,” said Davidson.

Moncton-based hockey analyst Craig Eagles was in attendance when Riley and the New Brunswick Hawks won the 1982 Calder Cup American Hockey League championship.

“Bill Riley epitomized that era of the American Hockey League. Skilled, gritty, character player, a throwback player and what he did for the game of hockey in this region will leave a lasting legacy,” said Eagles.

Eagles had a chance to interview Riley a few years ago and said he’ll never forget his honesty, transparency and passion for the game of hockey both on and off the ice.

“He’s going to be forever connected to the City of Moncton and the Maritimes. Not only for being an amazing hockey player, but an amazing coach and person,” said Eagles.

RELATED STORIES:

• Banner honouring Bill Riley goes from Moncton Coliseum rafters to yard sale
• Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes honoured as part of Black History Month celebrations
• Washington Capitals welcome back Bill Riley to celebrate Black History Month

With files from The Canadian Press and CTV News Atlantic’s Derek Haggett

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