Bill MacFarland
Bill MacFarland | |||
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![]() MacFarland facing off with Clare Smith of Colorado, 1956 | |||
Born |
April 4, 1932 Toronto, Ontario, Canada | ||
Died |
August 11, 2011 Scottsdale, Arizona, USA | (aged 79)||
Playing career | 1952–1964 |
William H. MacFarland (April 4, 1932 – August 12, 2011) was an ice hockey player who played in college for the University of Michigan and professionally for the Seattle Totems of the Western Hockey League.[1] He was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor in January 2009.
Junior hockey and University of Michigan
A native of
Professional hockey player
After graduating from Michigan, MacFarland played eleven seasons in the
MacFarland received his law degree and was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 1964 while still an active hockey player. In a profile of MacFarland, who had a reputation as an enforcer on the ice, the
In a 1963 WHL playoff game in San Francisco, MacFarland was shoved through an open gate and hit his head against a parked Zamboni. In the ensuing brawl, MacFarland had his lip split in two places, prompting the doctor treating his wounds to ask, "Didn't I read somewhere that you passed the bar exam? Why are you doing this?"[5]
In his career playing in Seattle, MacFarland scored 299 goals and compiled 643 points, ranking him third all-time in team history. He ranks second all-time in goals (25), assists (43) and points (68) for the Totems.[2] During his entire WHL career, MacFarlnd scored 324 goals in 688 games.[5] When he retired as a player, he had a "dislocated knee and six broken teeth among his battle scars."[5]
Professional hockey coach and administrator
MacFarland became the Totems' coach in 1966 and led the team to WHL championships in 1967 and 1968. He retired as coach in 1970 and had a 137-121-33 record as coach of the Seattle franchise. From 1972–74, he served as president of the WHL and arranged a series of games between WHL teams and a Russian all-star team in 1974.[2] After the demise of the WHL and the Totems franchise, MacFarland moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he became one of the owners of the Phoenix Roadrunners and president of the World Hockey Association from 1975 to 1977.[2] In spite of his previous successes Phoenix fans were appalled at the idea of his involvement with the new WHA franchise, having felt he had continually favored the Totems in decisions impacting the two teams while WHL president. As a result, his decisions were constantly criticised by the local media and a very vocal fan base during the time he managed the WHA franchise.
Career after hockey
For a short time, MacFarland also owned
Awards and honors
Award | Year | |
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All- Second Team
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1954–55
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All-Tournament Second Team
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1954
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[6] |
AHCA Second Team All-American | 1954–55
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All-Tournament First Team
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1955
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[6] |
All- First Team
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1955–56
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AHCA First Team All-American | 1955–56
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See also
References
- ^ "Wayback Machine: Bill MacFarland & the Totems | Sportspress Northwest". Sportspressnw.com. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
- ^ a b c d e f "Bill MacFarland" (PDF). Seattle Hockey.
- ^ "Hockey Title For Michigan". Austin Daily Herald (AP). 1955-03-14.
- ^ a b "Leach, Campbell Headline U-M Hall of Honor Inductions". MGoBlue.com. 2009-01-21. Archived from the original on 2009-02-01.
- ^ a b c d e f g Dan Raley (2006-03-22). "Where Are They Now? Bill MacFarland, Seattle Totems: 'Packy' earned law degree while playing hockey". Post-Intelligencer.
- ^ a b "NCAA Frozen Four Records" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
External links
- Biographical information and career statistics from The Internet Hockey Database