Billy Reay was a Canadian ice hockey player and coach who had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born on August 21, 1918, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Reay began his professional hockey career in 1940 with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL). He played for several teams in the AHL and the NHL, including the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Reay played as a center and was known for his defensive skills and ability to win faceoffs. He was a reliable player who could be counted on to play in all situations. Reay was a member of the Montreal Canadiens team that won the Stanley Cup in 1946. He played in a total of 438 NHL games, scoring 78 goals and 146 assists for 224 points.
After retiring as a player, Reay became a coach. He began his coaching career in 1957 with the Springfield Indians of the AHL. He then moved on to coach the Chicago Blackhawks in 1963. Reay had a successful tenure with the Blackhawks, leading them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1971 and 1973. He was known for his disciplined coaching style and his ability to get the most out of his players.
Reay was also a coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Los Angeles Kings. He retired from coaching in 1977 with a career record of 542 wins, 385 losses, and 163 ties. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981.
In addition to his coaching career, Reay was also involved in the development of young hockey players. He was a co-founder of the Billy Reay Hockey School, which provided instruction to young players in the Chicago area. The school was known for its emphasis on fundamentals and discipline.
Reay passed away on September 24, 1994, at the age of 76. He was remembered as a dedicated and respected coach who had a significant impact on the game of hockey. His legacy lives on through the Billy Reay Trophy, which is awarded annually to the Chicago Blackhawks player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship and dedication to the game.
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