Bill Houlder is a former professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman. He was born on March 11, 1967, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Houlder began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 1984. He played for the Greyhounds for three seasons and was known for his physical play and defensive skills.
In 1987, Houlder was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the fourth round of the NHL Entry Draft. He spent the next few years playing in the minor leagues before making his NHL debut with the Capitals in the 1991-92 season. Houlder played for the Capitals for two seasons before being traded to the Quebec Nordiques in 1993.
Houlder played for the Nordiques for two seasons before the team moved to Colorado and became the Colorado Avalanche. He was a member of the Avalanche team that won the Stanley Cup in 1996. Houlder played for the Avalanche for three seasons before being traded to the Nashville Predators in 1999.
Houlder played for the Predators for three seasons and was named the team's captain in 2001. He was known for his leadership skills and was a key player on the Predators' defensive unit. In 2002, Houlder was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes, where he played for one season before retiring from professional hockey in 2003.
Throughout his career, Houlder was known for his physical play and defensive skills. He was a reliable defenseman who could be counted on to shut down opposing teams' top players. Houlder was also known for his leadership skills and was a respected member of every team he played for.
In total, Houlder played in 758 NHL games, scoring 44 goals and 143 assists for a total of 187 points. He also played in 39 playoff games, scoring two goals and six assists for a total of eight points. Houlder's career spanned over 15 years and he was a respected member of the hockey community throughout his career.
After retiring from professional hockey, Houlder remained involved in the sport. He worked as a coach and scout for various teams and was also involved in youth hockey programs. Houlder's contributions to the sport of hockey have been recognized by his peers and he remains a respected member of the hockey community to this day.
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