Bill Lochead
Encyclopedia
William Alexander "Whip" Lochead (born October 13, 1954 in Forest
, Ontario
) is a retired ice hockey
forward and current hockey player agent. He started his junior hockey career in 1969-70 with the Sarnia Bees of OHA Western Jr. B league. In 1970-71 he established the current Western Jr. B goal scoring record of 72 goals in 42 games. Lochead was drafted 2nd overall to the OHA Oshawa Generals in 1971. He was then drafted 1st (9th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings
in the 1974 NHL draft
. He was also selected 3rd (32nd overall) by the Indianapolis Racers
in the 1974 WHA draft
. He was known as Billy Lochead during his playing days in the NHL and was nicknamed "Whip".
of the Ontario Hockey Association
. He enter the league in 1971 but was slowed down by injuries at the beginning of the 1971–72 season. However, once healthy, Lochead started scoring, as he recorded 110 points with 56 goals in 1972–73 and 121 points with 57 goals in 1973–74 and was selected to the OHA second and first all-star teams in each of those seasons. The Detroit Red Wings drafted him with their first pick in 1974.
and Nick Libett
. He continued to contribute as a role player for four and a half years which saw his point producing rise as Lochead gained confidence. He finally hit the 20-goal mark in the 1977–78 NHL season, helping the club to reach the playoffs for the first time in eight years. Playing on a line with Dale McCourt
and Paul Woods
, the Red Wings defeated the Atlanta Flames
in the first round of the playoffs and Lochead scored two goals in the deciding 3-2 win at Olympia Stadium. His series winning goal is still remembered by many Red Wing fans.
After missing the first two months of the 1978–79 NHL season due to a training camp knee injury, Lochead could not get his game back to the level of the previous season and he was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies
on February 9, 1979. He would play the final 26 games of the season with Colorado. In the off-season he was traded to the New York Rangers but ended up appearing in only seven games that season as he spent most of the year with the New Haven Nighthawks
of the American Hockey League
. In the lower-tiered league he scored 46 goals and was placed on the AHL's first all-star team. Lochead contributed strongly to the Nighthawks in playoff scoring that year
, but the team fell in the semi-finals to the eventual champion Hershey Bears
. Lochead also won the "Minor League Player of the Year Award" that season.
, the Bundesliga. He joined Cologne EC and only played in 17 games before transferring to Kaufbeuren ESV. He finished out the season with 43 goals in 39 games and contributed 5 points in Kaufbeuren's short playoff run. During the off-season, Lochead was recoginized as a player who knew the game and could excel if given the chance. He transferred to Bad Nauheim EC for the 1981–82 season and did not disappoint. Lochead put up 66 goals and 34 assists in only 42 games. He was far and away the best scorer on the team and the league, but still Bad Nauheim failed to make the playoffs. Lochead would finish as the league leader in both goals and penalty minutes and earn the league MVP award. Lochead would transfer in the off-season to Mannheimer ERC
, one of the best teams in the league. He continued to score goals, but at a slower rate as Mannheim also featured scorers such as Manfred Wolf
and Doug Berry
and he was voted by the Mannheim fans as the team's MVP for 1982-83. Lochead stayed with the team until returning to Bad Nauheim EC for the 1984–85 season. Bad Nauheim was now in the lower-tiered 2nd Bundesliga
and Lochead once again found his magical scoring touch. He played his last three years of hockey with the team and put up his best numbers to date in the 1985–86 season. In only 45 games, Lochead scored 71 goals and 49 assists for 120 points on the season. In the spring of 1986 he was chosen to play for the Dave King coached Team Canada in the Pravda Cup tournament in Leningrad (now St.Petersburg, Russia). After short stints with Chur of the Schweizerischer Eishockeyverband and the Vienna Capitals
of the Erste Bank Hockey League, Lochead retired from the ice after the 1987–88 season.
Forest, Ontario
Forest is a small town located near Sarnia, Ontario in Canada. It is very close to the shore of Lake Huron and is part of the municipality of Lambton Shores and the county of Lambton.- Population :...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
) is a retired ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
forward and current hockey player agent. He started his junior hockey career in 1969-70 with the Sarnia Bees of OHA Western Jr. B league. In 1970-71 he established the current Western Jr. B goal scoring record of 72 goals in 42 games. Lochead was drafted 2nd overall to the OHA Oshawa Generals in 1971. He was then drafted 1st (9th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
in the 1974 NHL draft
1974 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1974 NHL Amateur Draft was held via conference call at the NHL office in Montreal, Quebec. In an effort to prevent the WHA from poaching players, the draft was conducted early and in secret. This failed to prevent tampering as information leaked out via agents and other sources over the three...
. He was also selected 3rd (32nd overall) by the Indianapolis Racers
Indianapolis Racers
The Indianapolis Racers were a franchise in the former World Hockey Association from 1974 to 1978. They competed in five seasons, folding 25 games into the 1978–79 season. They played at Market Square Arena...
in the 1974 WHA draft
1974 WHA Amateur Draft
The 1974 WHA Amateur Draft was the second draft held by the World Hockey Association.-Selections by round:Listed below are the selections made in the 1974 WHA Amateur Draft.-Round 1:1. Pat Price - Vancouver Blazers2. Mike Will - Indianapolis Racers...
. He was known as Billy Lochead during his playing days in the NHL and was nicknamed "Whip".
Minor league hockey
Lochead started his Jr. A career playing for the Oshawa GeneralsOshawa Generals
The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League...
of the Ontario Hockey Association
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
. He enter the league in 1971 but was slowed down by injuries at the beginning of the 1971–72 season. However, once healthy, Lochead started scoring, as he recorded 110 points with 56 goals in 1972–73 and 121 points with 57 goals in 1973–74 and was selected to the OHA second and first all-star teams in each of those seasons. The Detroit Red Wings drafted him with their first pick in 1974.
National hockey league
Lochead scored 16 goals as a rookie with the Wings in 1974–75 while playing on a line with Bill HogaboamBill Hogaboam
William Harold "Hogi" Hogaboam was a ice hockey player. His professional career began in 1970–71 as a member of the Central Hockey League's Omaha Knights, as he played in 63 games, scoring 12 goals, 30 points, and 18 assists...
and Nick Libett
Nick Libett
Lynn Nicholas Libett is a retired ice hockey left winger who spent much of his career playing for the Detroit Red Wings. Libett played in the playoffs only twice in his twelve seasons with the Red Wings. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he would finish his National Hockey League...
. He continued to contribute as a role player for four and a half years which saw his point producing rise as Lochead gained confidence. He finally hit the 20-goal mark in the 1977–78 NHL season, helping the club to reach the playoffs for the first time in eight years. Playing on a line with Dale McCourt
Dale McCourt
Dale Allen McCourt is a former NHL ice hockey forward. Dale began his junior hockey career with the Hamilton Red Wings in 1972–73. Two years later he was the team captain of the 1976 Memorial Cup champion Hamilton Fincups. In 1977 he led the team to the Hamilton Spectator Trophy...
and Paul Woods
Paul Woods
Paul William Woods is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League from 1977 through 1984. He currently serves as a color commentator for the Detroit Red Wings on radio station 97.1 FM The Ticket.-Career:Woods spent his...
, the Red Wings defeated the Atlanta Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
in the first round of the playoffs and Lochead scored two goals in the deciding 3-2 win at Olympia Stadium. His series winning goal is still remembered by many Red Wing fans.
After missing the first two months of the 1978–79 NHL season due to a training camp knee injury, Lochead could not get his game back to the level of the previous season and he was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies (NHL)
The Colorado Rockies were an American professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League that played in Denver, Colorado, from 1976 to 1982. They were a relocation of the Kansas City Scouts, a 1974 expansion team. The franchise moved to East Rutherford, New Jersey, in 1982 and was...
on February 9, 1979. He would play the final 26 games of the season with Colorado. In the off-season he was traded to the New York Rangers but ended up appearing in only seven games that season as he spent most of the year with the New Haven Nighthawks
New Haven Nighthawks
The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
. In the lower-tiered league he scored 46 goals and was placed on the AHL's first all-star team. Lochead contributed strongly to the Nighthawks in playoff scoring that year
1979–80 AHL season
The 1979–80 AHL season was the 44th season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams were scheduled to play 80 games each. The New Haven Nighthawks finished first overall in the regular season...
, but the team fell in the semi-finals to the eventual champion Hershey Bears
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
. Lochead also won the "Minor League Player of the Year Award" that season.
International play
Beginning in 1980–81, Lochead decided to try his luck overseas. He joined the highest ice hockey league in GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, the Bundesliga. He joined Cologne EC and only played in 17 games before transferring to Kaufbeuren ESV. He finished out the season with 43 goals in 39 games and contributed 5 points in Kaufbeuren's short playoff run. During the off-season, Lochead was recoginized as a player who knew the game and could excel if given the chance. He transferred to Bad Nauheim EC for the 1981–82 season and did not disappoint. Lochead put up 66 goals and 34 assists in only 42 games. He was far and away the best scorer on the team and the league, but still Bad Nauheim failed to make the playoffs. Lochead would finish as the league leader in both goals and penalty minutes and earn the league MVP award. Lochead would transfer in the off-season to Mannheimer ERC
Adler Mannheim
Adler Mannheim are an ice hockey team of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, the highest ice hockey league in Germany. The team is from Mannheim, a city in the north of Baden-Wurttemberg...
, one of the best teams in the league. He continued to score goals, but at a slower rate as Mannheim also featured scorers such as Manfred Wolf
Manfred Wolf
Manfred Wolf was an East German ski jumper who competed from 1971 to 1973. He finished fifth in the individual large hill event at the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo....
and Doug Berry
Doug Berry (ice hockey)
Doug Alan Berry is a former National Hockey League centre.He played for the Colorado Rockies for 2 seasons. He played in 121 games and scored 10 goals and 33 assists for 43 points.-External links:...
and he was voted by the Mannheim fans as the team's MVP for 1982-83. Lochead stayed with the team until returning to Bad Nauheim EC for the 1984–85 season. Bad Nauheim was now in the lower-tiered 2nd Bundesliga
2nd Bundesliga (ice hockey)
The 2nd Eishockey-Bundesliga is the second tier of Ice hockey in Germany. It is organised by the DEB, the German Ice Hockey Federation. In the 2007-08 season, it features 14 teams.- History of the 2nd Ice Hockey Bundesliga :...
and Lochead once again found his magical scoring touch. He played his last three years of hockey with the team and put up his best numbers to date in the 1985–86 season. In only 45 games, Lochead scored 71 goals and 49 assists for 120 points on the season. In the spring of 1986 he was chosen to play for the Dave King coached Team Canada in the Pravda Cup tournament in Leningrad (now St.Petersburg, Russia). After short stints with Chur of the Schweizerischer Eishockeyverband and the Vienna Capitals
Vienna Capitals
Vienna Capitals are a member of the Erste Bank Hockey League. They play their home games in Vienna, Austria, at Albert Schultz Eishalle.-Current roster:-References:...
of the Erste Bank Hockey League, Lochead retired from the ice after the 1987–88 season.
Coaching career
Lochead decided to try his hand at coaching after retiring as a player. He filled in as a midseason replacement for Wolfsburg ESC in 1988 and remained with them the following season. He led the team to a 16–12–4 record in 1988–89. Lochead again crossed the Atlantic to coach for two teams in Switzerland within the Schweizerischer Eishockeyverband. After coaching Solothurn and Olten he returned to Germany to coach Sauerland Iserlohn ECD in the 1993–94 season. After one season with Sauerland he moved back into the top league of Germany, the DEL. He was head coach of the Ratingen Lions from the 1994-95 season until 1996–97. In 1995-96 Lochead led the team to a surprisnig 10th place finish in the 18 team league with the smallest budget in the league. Unfortunately, the team was plagued with financial problems which affected the team's performance and he was let go after Ratingen found themselves as the worst team in the league in 1996-97. Lochead coached Kassel Huskies of the DEL to a .520 win percentage record in 1997-98. He ended his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Frankfurt Lions of the DEL in 1998-1999. He is now a successful hockey player agent living in Frankfurt Germany.Awards and achievements
- OMJHL Second All-Star Team (1973)
- OMJHL First All-Star Team (1974)
- AHL First All-Star Team (1980), Minor League Player of the Year Award
- Named 1st Bundesliga Deutschland MVP (1982)
- Named 2nd Bundesliga Deutschland MVP, 1st All-Star Team (1986)