Hockey world mourns the loss of former Winnipeg Jets forward Bill Riley
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Jack Sutherland
Mar 29, 2026 (7:50 PM)
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Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The NHL community is mourning the passing of former Winnipeg Jet and Washington Capital Bill Riley, only the third black player at the time in the League, at the age of 75.
The NHL community is mourning the loss of one of the game's trailblazers, as it was announced that former Winnipeg Jet and Washington Capital Bill Riley has passed away at the age of 75.
Riley was the third black player in NHL history, following in the footsteps of Willy O'Ree and Mike Marson.
We regret to inform you of the passing of NHL alumnus Bill Riley at the age of 75. Riley played 139 games in the NHL from 1974-1980 with the Capitals & Jets, scoring 31 goals and 61 points in that span. He was just the third black NHLer in the league's history. - Puck Empire
Bill Riley made history during his NHL tenure
Born in Nova Scotia, Riley wasn't drafted into the NHL but was discovered while playing with the Kitimat Eagles senior team in the Pacific Northwest Hockey League in British Columbia.
He later played for the expansion Washington Capitals, spending most of his time in the minors.
After playing parts of three years with the Capitals, he was claimed by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft.
Riley became just the third black player to make an appearance in the NHL at the time of his debut.
He also later played for teams in the minors like the New Brunswick Hawks, Moncton Alpines and the Nova Scotia Voyageurs. His final year of professional hockey was with the St. John's Capitals in the Newfoundland Senior Hockey League in 1988-89.
He had 61 points (31G, 30A) in 139 career NHL games in a Capitals and Jets sweater.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 29|59 ANSWERS Hockey world mourns the loss of former Winnipeg Jets forward Bill Riley Did you ever see Bill Riley play in person? | ||
| Yes | 7 | 11.9 % |
| No | 52 | 88.1 % |
| List of polls | ||