Bill Hicke (1938-2005)

The Leader-Post of Regina, Sask., reported today the passing of former AHL player Bill Hicke.

Hicke lost his battle with cancer on Monday. He was 67.

A prolific junior player with the Regina Pats, Hicke broke into the pro ranks with the AHL’s Rochester Americans in 1958-59. That year, at age 20, Hicke recorded 41 goals and 56 assists for 97 points in 69 games, winning the John B. Sollenberger Trophy as the AHL’s top scorer and the Dudley “Red” Garrett Award as the AHL’s outstanding rookie, and sharing the Les Cunningham Award as the league’s most valuable player with Amerks teammate Rudy Migay.

Hicke returned to Rochester briefly in 1959-60, and later had AHL stints in Cleveland (1964-65), Baltimore (1966-67) and Tidewater (1971-72). He totaled 149 points (70g, 79a) in 123 career AHL games.

Hicke won three Stanley Cups during his career as well, skating in 729 National Hockey League games with Montreal, the N.Y. Rangers, Oakland and Pittsburgh.