Billy MacMillan was a Canadian ice hockey player who had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL) and the World Hockey Association (WHA). He was born on March 14, 1944, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
MacMillan started his hockey career in the junior leagues, playing for the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA). He was drafted by the Boston Bruins in 1962 and played for their minor league affiliates before making his NHL debut in the 1964-65 season. He played for the Bruins for four seasons, scoring 20 goals in the 1967-68 season and helping the team win the Stanley Cup in 1970.
In 1970, MacMillan was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the New York Rangers. He played for the Rangers for two seasons before being traded to the St. Louis Blues in 1974. He played for the Blues for two seasons before being traded to the Colorado Rockies in 1976. He played for the Rockies for two seasons before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 1978. He played for the Canucks for two seasons before retiring from the NHL in 1980.
After retiring from the NHL, MacMillan played for the Edmonton Oilers in the WHA for two seasons before retiring from professional hockey in 1982. He finished his NHL career with 278 points (116 goals and 162 assists) in 605 games and his WHA career with 94 points (39 goals and 55 assists) in 129 games.
MacMillan was known for his versatility as a player, being able to play both center and wing positions. He was also known for his physical play and his ability to score goals. He was a two-time NHL All-Star (1969 and 1970) and was inducted into the Prince Edward Island Sports Hall of Fame in 1984.
After retiring from hockey, MacMillan worked as a scout for the New York Islanders and the Edmonton Oilers. He also worked as a coach and general manager in the minor leagues. He passed away on November 14, 2020, at the age of 76.
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