Larry Hillman was a professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) and the World Hockey Association (WHA) during his career. He was born on February 5, 1937, in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada.
Hillman began his professional career in 1955 with the Detroit Red Wings. He played with the team for six seasons and won three Stanley Cup championships with them in 1955, 1957, and 1958. He was then traded to the Boston Bruins in 1961, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1963.
Hillman played with the Maple Leafs for four seasons and won another Stanley Cup championship with them in 1967. He was then traded to the Minnesota North Stars in 1967 and played with them for two seasons before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1969.
In 1972, Hillman joined the WHA and played with the New York Raiders for one season before being traded to the Quebec Nordiques. He played with the Nordiques for two seasons before being traded to the Birmingham Bulls in 1974. He played with the Bulls for one season before being traded to the Indianapolis Racers in 1975.
Hillman played with the Racers for one season before being traded to the Cincinnati Stingers in 1976. He played with the Stingers for two seasons before retiring from professional hockey in 1979.
Throughout his career, Hillman was known for his defensive skills and his ability to play in high-pressure situations. He was also known for his leadership on and off the ice, and he served as a captain for several of the teams he played for.
After retiring from professional hockey, Hillman worked as a coach and scout for several NHL teams, including the Buffalo Sabres, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was also inducted into the Kirkland Lake Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.
Overall, Larry Hillman had a successful career in professional hockey, winning five Stanley Cup championships and playing in both the NHL and the WHA. He was known for his defensive skills, his leadership, and his ability to perform in high-pressure situations, and he continued to contribute to the sport as a coach and scout after his playing career ended.
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