Quick Facts
Biography
William Edward McCreary Sr. (born December 2, 1934) is a former National Hockey League left winger, coach and general manager.
Early life
He was born in Sundridge, Ontario.
Career
During his pro career, McCreary played for the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens and the St. Louis Blues. He later coached the Vancouver Canucks for the first half of the 1973–74 season and then became general manager of the California Golden Seals in 1974–75. Although the Seals were performing fairly well, a dispute with coach Marshall Johnston led to his firing of Johnston and going behind the bench himself for the remainder of the season. He hired Jack Evans as coach the following year. The team moved to Cleveland and became the Cleveland Barons. Yet, the club struggled and McCreary was fired as general manager.
He was the elder brother of Keith McCreary, also an NHL left winger. His son Bill McCreary Jr. played 12 games in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1980–81 season.
Awards and achievements
- WHL Prairie Division Second All-Star Team (1957)
- CPHL First All-Star Team (1964, 1966)
Coaching record
| Team | Year | Regular season | Post season | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | T | Pts | Finish | Result | ||
| St. Louis Blues | 1971–72 | 24 | 6 | 14 | 4 | (67) | 3rd in West | (interim coach) |
| Vancouver Canucks | 1973–74 | 41 | 9 | 25 | 7 | (59) | 7th in East | (fired) |
| California Golden Seals | 1974–75 | 32 | 8 | 20 | 4 | (51) | 4th in Adams | Missed playoffs |
| NHL Total | 97 | 23 | 59 | 15 | ||||