Bill Hajt was a professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born on August 4, 1948, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Hajt started his hockey career in the junior leagues in Canada, playing for the Saskatoon Blades and the Edmonton Oil Kings. He was then drafted by the Sabres in the second round of the 1972 NHL Entry Draft.
Hajt made his NHL debut with the Sabres in the 1973-74 season and quickly established himself as a reliable defenseman. He was known for his physical play and his ability to clear the puck out of his team's zone. Hajt was also a good skater and had a powerful shot from the point.
Hajt played for the Sabres for ten seasons, from 1973 to 1983. He was a key player on the team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1975, where they lost to the Philadelphia Flyers. Hajt was also selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game in 1976 and 1977.
In 1983, Hajt was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he played for four seasons. He was named the team's captain in his second season with the Penguins and was a leader both on and off the ice. Hajt retired from professional hockey in 1987, after playing in 854 NHL games and scoring 94 goals and 298 assists.
After his playing career, Hajt became a coach and worked with several teams in the minor leagues. He also coached the Rochester Americans, the Sabres' AHL affiliate, from 1995 to 2002. Hajt's son, Ty, also became a professional hockey player and played in the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings.
In 2018, Hajt was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to the team during his playing career. He is remembered as a tough and dependable defenseman who played with passion and dedication.
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