Former NHLer Billy MacMillan is remembered as a humble, respected friend
PEI’s Billy MacMillan played alongside some of the best hockey players in the world in his 446 games in the NHL, but you’d have to get the stories out of him.
He won the Stanley Cup as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders in 1980, but he would never brag about it.
When he worked for the PEI Liquor Control Commission after his retirement, he was so respected that they named an employee award after him, but he never wanted to take credit.
MacMillan, who is remembered as a humble man who was deeply respected by those who knew him, passed away overnight at the age of 80.
The New York Islanders are deeply saddened by the passing of former 1980 Cup team player and assistant coach Bill MacMillan. We offer our thoughts and prayers to all of MacMillan’s family and friends. pic.twitter.com/gchV3aDb2s
“Strong man with a strong character,” said Jamie MacLeod, who grew up idolizing MacMillan as a hockey player and later became colleagues with him on the liquor commission. He was part of a group of friends who were supposed to meet on Friday at The Alley in Charlottetown.
‘Strong morale. Indisputable work ethic, loyalty. Modest. Shy,” MacLeod said.
“If you could meet the man, you would have no idea unless you knew beforehand, because he wouldn’t tell you about the many accomplishments he has achieved in his career, not only as a hockey player, but also as a father, as a brother. “
MacLeod recalled watching MacMillan play for St. Dunstan’s University, which later became UPEI, in the 1960s. He also followed his playing and coaching career in the NHL.
While the other kids played pond hockey and pretended to be Gordie Howe or Bobby Orr, MacLeod always wanted to be Billy MacMillan.
So it was exciting for MacLeod, who was 11 years his junior, to become friends with MacMillan when they started working together on the liquor commission in 2005.
If you could meet the man you would have no idea unless you knew beforehand because he wouldn’t tell you about the many achievements he has achieved in his career not only as a hockey player but also as a father, as a brother .—Jamie MacLeod
“The number of employees who work for Billy, who were eventually elevated to higher positions through his mentorship, including store managers themselves, I think is a credit to the man.”
Other tributes poured in on social media from players and coaches who knew MacMillan as a player with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta Flames and New York Islanders – as well as the Canada national team – and as a coach with the Islanders, Colorado Rockies and New Jersey Devils .
The PEI Sports Hall of Fame is saddened by the passing of Billy MacMillan (inducted in 1985) at the age of 80. He was a player and coach, a Memorial Cup & Stanley Cup winner. A bronze medalist for Canada in the 1968 Olympic Games. A good man & mentor. Condolences to the family. pic.twitter.com/U5kbZDfgX7
We are saddened by the passing of Canadian hockey coach and player Bill MacMillan.
Bill represented Canada on the international scene several times before making his NHL debut in 1970 with the Maple Leafs.
Our thoughts and condolences are with Bill’s family. pic.twitter.com/055zZVFHDA
But to MacLeod and his buddies in The Alley, he was just a good friend.
“We’d meet for a few hours on Fridays, solve the world’s problems, pump Billy for stories because he was so humble you had to pump things,” MacLeod said.
“And through that friendship, it just developed and we became a really close, close, tight group.”
Funeral arrangements are not yet final.
