Rick Ley is a former professional ice hockey player and coach who had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL) and World Hockey Association (WHA). He was born on February 2, 1948, in Orillia, Ontario, Canada, and began playing hockey at a young age.
Ley played junior hockey for the Niagara Falls Flyers and was drafted by the Boston Bruins in 1969. He played for the Bruins for six seasons, from 1969 to 1975, and was known for his physical play and defensive skills. He was a member of the Bruins team that won the Stanley Cup in 1972.
In 1975, Ley joined the WHA's New England Whalers, where he played for four seasons. He was named team captain in 1977 and helped lead the Whalers to the Avco Cup championship in 1979. Ley was known for his leadership and defensive skills, and was a key player for the Whalers during his time with the team.
After the WHA folded in 1979, Ley returned to the NHL and played for the Hartford Whalers for two seasons. He then joined the Washington Capitals, where he played for three seasons before retiring as a player in 1984.
After his playing career, Ley became a coach and worked for several teams in the NHL and minor leagues. He was an assistant coach for the Whalers, Vancouver Canucks, and Anaheim Ducks, and was head coach of the AHL's Springfield Falcons and the ECHL's Richmond Renegades.
Ley also worked as a television analyst for the Whalers and the Ducks, and was a color commentator for ESPN's coverage of the NHL. He was known for his knowledge of the game and his ability to explain complex plays and strategies to viewers.
Throughout his career, Ley was respected by his teammates and opponents for his toughness, leadership, and dedication to the game of hockey. He was a key player on several championship teams and a successful coach and analyst after his playing days were over.
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